1 piece (medium) of Chicken Katsu (120 g) has 294 calories. That works out to 245 calories per 100 g. It contains 18.2 g of carbs, 21 g of protein, 14.6 g of fat and 1 g of fiber. Its 6.2 mg of B3 covers 39% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 55 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.

What is Chicken Katsu?

Chicken katsu is a Japanese-style breaded chicken cutlet, made by coating chicken in flour, egg and light, flaky panko crumbs before frying. The crust turns crisp and golden while the meat stays tender, and the cutlet is often sliced into strips for serving.

In Japan, it commonly comes with shredded cabbage, rice and a dark, savoury-sweet katsu sauce. It also works well as a sandwich filling or in a curry plate, and is an easy-to-recognise Japanese comfort-food option for diners elsewhere. It provides protein, though the crumb coating and frying make it a more substantial meal. For a lighter plate, add extra cabbage or salad, or try baking the cutlet instead.

Chicken Katsu Nutrition Facts

Selected: 100 g

245

KCAL / 100G

Carbs

15.2g

· 6% DV

Protein

17.5g

· 35% DV

Fat

12.2g

· 16% DV

Fiber

0.8g

· 3% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 25% · Protein 29% · Fat 46%

Chicken Katsu Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

5.2mg · 33% DV

0.38mg · 22% DV

0.7mg · 14% DV

Biotin

4µg · 13% DV

Minerals

Selenium

13µg · 24% DV

Phosphorus

160mg · 23% DV

Sodium

420mg · 18% DV

Zinc

1mg · 9% DV

How Nutritious Is Chicken Katsu?

Nutrient density

Medium

38/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

46/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Chicken Katsu Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

Medium

0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Chicken Katsu

To burn the 245 calories in 100 g:

🚶

61min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

25min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

33min

Cycling

🏊

29min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

Is Chicken Katsu Processed?

NOVA 3

Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Chicken Katsu Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten yes

Dairy free

Eggs yes

Peanuts free

Tree nuts free

Fish free

Soy free

Sesame free

Which Diets Is Chicken Katsu Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

— Not suitable

Gluten-Free

— Not suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

— Not suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Chicken Katsu Fat Profile

SATURATED

2.6g

MONOUNSATURATED

4.7g

POLYUNSATURATED

2.2g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 21.4:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (21.4:1).

Compare Chicken Katsu

🍗vs🥩

Chicken Katsu vs Ground Beef5 kcal fewer per 100 g

→🍗vs🍢

Chicken Katsu vs Chicken Skewer105 kcal more per 100 g

→🍗vs🥩

Chicken Katsu vs Sauteed Lamb15 kcal more per 100 g

→🍗vs🍗

Chicken Katsu vs Smoked Turkey135 kcal more per 100 g

→

Foods Similar to Chicken Katsu

🥩

Ground Beef

250 kcal

🍢

Chicken Skewer

140 kcal

🥩

Sauteed Lamb

230 kcal

🍗

Smoked Turkey

110 kcal

🥩

Beef Kavurma

230 kcal

🍆🍖

Meatballs with Eggplant Purée

155 kcal

🥩

Beef Cubed

250 kcal

🍗

Chicken (Sauteed)

165 kcal

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Katsu

What is chicken katsu?

Chicken katsu is a Japanese-style breaded chicken cutlet, usually coated in panko and fried until crisp. It is commonly sliced and served with shredded cabbage, rice, and a tangy katsu sauce.

Where did chicken katsu come from?

Chicken katsu is a Japanese adaptation of yōshoku, Japan’s Western-influenced style of cooking. It follows the breaded-cutlet tradition associated with tonkatsu, using chicken instead of the pork in the original dish.

What cut of chicken is best for chicken katsu?

Boneless chicken breast is a common choice because it can be flattened into an even cutlet and slices neatly after frying. Boneless thighs also work and tend to stay juicy, but their shape may be less uniform.

What is the difference between chicken katsu and chicken schnitzel?

Both are breaded chicken cutlets, but chicken katsu is typically coated in coarse Japanese panko and served with katsu sauce and cabbage. Chicken schnitzel is usually made with finer breadcrumbs and has different traditional accompaniments.

What does chicken katsu sauce taste like?

Chicken katsu sauce is thick, savory, and mildly sweet-tart, with a flavor often compared to a richer, fruitier Worcestershire sauce. It is served as a dip or drizzled over the cutlet, rather than used as the breading.

Why does chicken katsu use panko instead of regular breadcrumbs?

Panko flakes are larger and lighter than many standard breadcrumbs, giving chicken katsu its characteristic rough, airy crunch. Regular breadcrumbs will still coat the chicken, but the crust is usually finer and denser.

Can you bake chicken katsu instead of frying it?

Yes, chicken katsu can be baked. Arrange the panko-coated cutlets on a lightly oiled rack or tray and brush or spray the coating with oil; baking usually produces a less evenly crisp crust than frying.

Can you freeze chicken katsu?

Yes, cooked chicken katsu can be frozen once cooled. Wrap the pieces airtight and freeze them separately from the sauce and cabbage; reheat from frozen in an oven or air fryer so the coating can crisp up again.

How do you keep chicken katsu crispy after frying?

Set freshly fried chicken katsu on a wire rack instead of stacking it or leaving it on a flat plate. The rack lets steam escape from underneath, helping the panko coating stay crisp while the cutlet rests.

Is chicken katsu the same as Japanese fried chicken?

No. Chicken katsu is a whole chicken cutlet coated in panko and fried, while Japanese karaage is usually made from bite-sized pieces marinated before being coated and fried. Their shape, coating, and seasoning are different.

Have another question about Chicken Katsu?

Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.

Scan calories with your camera

Instant AI nutrition analysis

Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.

· Last updated: September 24, 2026