What is chicken tempura made of?

The ingredients for chicken tempura include flour, ice-cold water, egg, and occasionally baking powder. The chicken pieces typically breast or thigh are then deep-fried till brown and crispy.

Is chicken tempura healthy?

Chicken tempura roll can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. While the tempura adds calories from frying, the roll provides protein, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables. Opting for brown rice increases fiber content.

What is in the tempura roll?

Sushi rice, nori, and tempura battered meats or veggies make up traditional tempura rolls. Common varieties include shrimp tempura, vegetable tempura, or chicken tempura roll combinations with cucumber and avocado.

Why is it called tempura?

Tempura originated from Portuguese missionaries in 16th century Japan. The name likely derives from the Latin "tempora," referring to Ember Days when Catholics

How to Make Chicken Tempura Roll: 5 Easy Steps

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I won’t hide the fact that I was never a fan of sushi until I tried chicken tempura rolls one day at a friend’s house and discovered that this sushi-like dish was so delicious that I learned how to make it at home, which encouraged me to try sushi because of their similar appearance. Every time I eat it, I am transported back me back to that first unforgettable experience, which is etched in my memory.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comforting & Familiar: It offers the universally loved crunch of tempura chicken in a delightful, accessible sushi format.
Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for gatherings, it’s a dish that appeals to a wide range of tastes, even those new to sushi.
Customizable: Easily adaptable to personal preferences with various sauces or extra fillings.
Flavorful Fusion: It beautifully blends the textures and tastes of crispy fried chicken with fresh, vibrant sushi elements.

Ingredients List

You’ll need:

Chicken breast (thinly sliced) – the hero of the dish; juicy and crisp when fried.
Tempura batter mix – that’s where the magic happens. Light, airy, golden perfection.
All-purpose flour – for dusting the chicken before dipping it into the batter.
Nori (seaweed sheets) – holds everything together like a delicious sushi hug.
Sushi rice (short-grain, sticky) – the soft base that balances the crunch.
Rice vinegar, sugar, salt – for seasoning the rice (don’t skip this part, it’s key).
Avocado slices or cucumber strips – freshness that cuts through the fried richness.
Soy sauce, spicy mayo, eel sauce (optional) – the sauces that bring the roll to life.

Possible Substitutions:

Swap chicken for shrimp or tofu (if you want a vegetarian take).
Try brown rice or cauliflower rice for a lighter version.
Gluten-free? Use rice flour in the tempura mix.

Recipe Options:

You can go classic and keep it simple chicken, rice, and nori or go bold: add cream cheese, mango, or a drizzle of sriracha.

What is chicken tempura roll

A chicken tempura roll is a sushi style roll made with crispy fried chicken, sushi rice, and seaweed, often paired with avocado or cucumber for freshness. It’s the perfect mix of crunch and comfort. Honestly, it’s my go to when I want sushi flavor without raw fish warm, satisfying, and a little indulgent in every bite.

Timing

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Assembly time: 15 minutes
Total time: 65 minutes

How to Make Chicken Tempura Roll

Step 1: Prepare the Sushi Rice Foundation

fluffy, white cooked rice inside a stainless steel pot, being gently stirred or fluffed with a metal fork or spoon.

Rinse short-grain sushi rice until the water runs clear, removing excess starch. Cook the rice and add the seasoning mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt while it is still warm.

Allow it to cool to room temperature, covering it with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.

Step 2: Create Perfect Tempura Batter

smooth, bubbly tempura batter mix in a metal bowl, stirred slightly by a pair of bamboo chopsticks on a

In two separate bowls, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in the first bowl. Separately, mix the ice water and egg yolks in the second bowl. The cold temperature ensures a crispy texture.

Gently mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients using chopsticks.

Step 3: Fry Chicken to Golden Perfection

three pieces of golden-brown chicken tempura being deep-fried in a small stainless steel pot with vigorously bubbling hot oil.

Heat oil to 340°F using. Cut chicken breast into finger-sized strips and season lightly.

Working in small batches, dip each piece in batter just before frying for 3-4 minutes until golden brown

Step 4: Master the Rolling Technique

A rectangular layer of white, sticky sushi rice spread evenly over a sheet of dark green nori (seaweed) on a bamboo rolling mat, preparing for a sushi roll.

Place nori sheet shiny-side down on bamboo mat. With wet hands, spread thin rice layer leaving 1-inch top border. Arrange tempura chicken horizontally across center, add cucumber and avocado.

Roll tightly from bottom using bamboo mat as guide, sealing edge with water drops.

Step 5: Slice and Present

Five cut pieces of Chicken Tempura Roll and Cucumber Maki sushi, sprinkled with sesame seeds, on a light green plate with a whole, rolled sushi log in the background.

Using sharp, wet knife, slice your chicken tempura in smooth motions to prevent crushing. Clean blade between cuts, divide into 8 equal pieces, and arrange cut-side up with traditional accompaniments.

Professional Cooking Tips

Expert Tempura Secrets

Ice-cold batter is crucial – add ice cubes to batter if kitchen is warm
Don’t overmix – lumpy batter creates better texture than smooth
Fry immediately after battering to prevent soggy coating
Maintain oil temperature – too hot burns outside while inside stays raw

Sushi Rolling Mastery

Wet hands frequently prevents rice from sticking
Apply even pressure when rolling for consistent shape
Practice the motion before adding ingredients

How do you serve chicken tempura roll

Traditional Presentation

Serve your chicken tempura with classic accompaniments: wasabi, pickled ginger, and soy sauce for dipping. For a more genuine Japanese presentation, arrange on a wooden board.

Modern Fusion Approaches

Spicy mayo drizzle – mix Japanese mayo with sriracha
Tempura flakes garnish – sprinkle extra tempura bits on top
Sesame seed coating – roll finished sushi in toasted sesame seeds
Avocado roses – create decorative avocado garnishes

How to Store and Reheat

To preserve, wrap uncut chicken tempura rolls securely in plastic wrap or place chopped pieces in an airtight container, then refrigerate immediately.Consume within 24 hours for best quality. To reheat, avoid microwaves. Instead, crisp them in an oven at 200°C (400°F) or an air fryer at 175°C (350°F) for 5-10 minutes until warmed through and crunchy.

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Nutritional Information

Per Serving (2 pieces of chicken tempura)

Calories 285
Protein 18g
Carbohydrates 32g
Fat 12g
Fiber 2g
Sodium 420mg

Chicken Tempura Roll: How to Make It Extra Crispy

By Nancy

Can’t handle raw fish? No worries! This Chicken Tempura Roll offers a crunchy, cooked alternative. Learn how to make it now.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 20

Assembly time: 15

Total Time 1 5

Course Main course, Appetizer

Cuisine Japanese-American fusion

Servings 6

Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients

Chicken breast or thighs
Sushi rice
Nori sheets
Tempura flour
Ice-cold water
Egg yolk
Baking powder
Salt
Cucumber
Avocado
Lettuce or shiso leaves – adds freshness
Japanese mayonnaise
Sriracha or spicy mayo
Soy sauce for dipping