Chicken Tempura Roll: How to Make It Extra Crispy
Our family’s chicken tempura roll recipe isn’t just ingredients; it’s a legacy. Every time we make it, I’m transported back to laughter-filled evenings, sticky fingers, and the warmth of shared stories. It’s more than food; it’s a delicious testament to the bonds of family and friendship, each bite a memory savored.
What I Love About 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.
Table of Contents
Ingredients needed to make Chicken Tempura Roll
Main Ingredients
- Chicken breast or thighs (8 oz)
- Sushi rice (2 cups cooked) – short-grain Japanese rice works best
- Nori sheets (4-5 sheets) – high-quality seaweed for optimal flavor
- Tempura flour (1 cup) – or all-purpose flour mixed with cornstarch
- Ice-cold water (1 cup) – essential for crispy tempura texture
- Egg yolk (1 large) – creates golden color and richness
- Baking powder (1/2 tsp) – adds extra lightness to batter
- Salt (1/2 tsp) – enhances overall flavor profile
- Cucumber (1 medium) – julienned for crunch
- Avocado (1 ripe) – sliced for creaminess
- Lettuce or shiso leaves – adds freshness
- Japanese mayonnaise (3 tbsp)
- Sriracha or spicy mayo (2 tbsp)
- Soy sauce for dipping
Substitution Options
- Rice flour can be used as a gluten-free substitute for wheat flour.
- Dairy-free option: Substitute regular mayo with vegan mayo
- Protein variations: Turkey or tofu can replace chicken
Time Needed to Make Chicken Tempura Roll
Preparation Timeline
- 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
- Rinse 2 cups short-grain sushi rice until water runs clear, removing excess starch.
- Cook using a 1:1.2 rice-to-water ratio, then fold in seasoning mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt while warm.
- Cool to room temperature, covering with a damp towel to prevent drying.
Step 2: Create Perfect Tempura Batter
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- Separately combine ice-cold water with egg yolk—cold temperature ensures crispy texture.
- Gently fold wet into dry ingredients using chopsticks, mixing just until barely combined. Keep batter lumpy; overmixing creates heavy coating instead of delicate crispiness.
Step 3: Fry Chicken to Golden Perfection
- Heat oil to exactly 340°F using a candy thermometer.
- 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 and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to wire rack immediately.
Step 4: Master the Rolling Technique
- 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
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.
Tips for the Best chicken tempura roll
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
Store and Reheat chicken tempura roll
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.
Similar recipes you’ll want to try
- How to Make Spicy Shrimp Roll
- How to Make apple almond shrimp salad
- Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad
- Easy & Quick Chicken Tempura Roll Recipe
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
Ingredients
- Chicken breast or thighs 8 oz
- Sushi rice 2 cups cooked – short-grain Japanese rice works best
- Nori sheets 4-5 sheets – high-quality seaweed for optimal flavor
- Tempura flour 1 cup – or all-purpose flour mixed with cornstarch
- Ice-cold water 1 cup – essential for crispy tempura texture
- Egg yolk 1 large – creates golden color and richness
- Baking powder 1/2 tsp – adds extra lightness to batter
- Salt 1/2 tsp – enhances overall flavor profile
- Cucumber 1 medium – julienned for crunch
- Avocado 1 ripe – sliced for creaminess
- Lettuce or shiso leaves – adds freshness
- Japanese mayonnaise 3 tbsp
- Sriracha or spicy mayo 2 tbsp
- Soy sauce for dipping
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sushi Rice Foundation
- Rinse 2 cups short-grain sushi rice until water runs clear, removing excess starch.
- Cook using a 1:1.2 rice-to-water ratio, then fold in seasoning mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt while warm.
- Cool to room temperature, covering with a damp towel to prevent drying.
Step 2: Create Perfect Tempura Batter
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- Separately combine ice-cold water with egg yolk—cold temperature ensures crispy texture.
- Gently fold wet into dry ingredients using chopsticks, mixing just until barely combined. Keep batter lumpy; overmixing creates heavy coating instead of delicate crispiness.
Step 3: Fry Chicken to Golden Perfection
- Heat oil to exactly 340°F using a candy thermometer.
- 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 and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to wire rack immediately.
Step 4: Master the Rolling Technique
- 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
- 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.
Notes
Nutritional Information
Per Serving (2 pieces of chicken tempura)- Calories 285
- Protein 18g
- Carbohydrates 32g
- Fat 12g
- Fiber 2g
- Sodium 420mg
FAQ About chicken tempura roll
What is in the chicken tempura roll?
A chicken tempura roll typically contains tempura-battered and fried chicken, sushi rice, nori seaweed, cucumber, avocado, and often lettuce or shiso leaves. It’s commonly topped with spicy mayo or eel sauce.
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 ate fish and vegetables instead of meat, similar to tempura’s light, delicate preparation style.
Conclusion
Ready to start rolling? Try this chicken tempura roll recipe today and share your results in our comments section below! Subscribe to our blog for more authentic Japanese recipes and sushi-making tips delivered straight to your inbox.
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