Go Back
Chicken Katsu Bento Box with crispy chicken and vibrant vegetables

Chicken Katsu Bento Box

A delightful and customizable Japanese-inspired meal featuring crispy chicken katsu, fluffy rice, and colorful vegetables, perfect for lunch at home or on the go.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 2 servings
Calories 580 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Katsu

  • 2 small chicken breasts (about 170g (6 oz) each) Pounded to an even thickness
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • 1 large egg (beaten)
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil For frying
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder

For the Sides

  • 1 cup cooked rice Prepared and fluffy
  • 1 tbsp furikake For seasoning rice
  • ½ cup broccoli florets Blanched
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • ¼ cup red cabbage (shredded thin) Marinated with rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp tonkatsu sauce For serving

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness for even cooking. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Set up a breading station: place flour in one dish, beaten eggs in another, and panko breadcrumbs in a third.
  • Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in egg, then coat with panko, pressing lightly to adhere.

Cooking

  • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (induction level 5–6). Fry chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 75°C / 165°F). Alternatively, air fry at 375°F (190°C) or bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes before slicing into strips.

Preparing the Sides

  • For sides, cook rice (stovetop, rice cooker, or microwave), fluff, and sprinkle with furikake.
  • Thinly slice red cabbage, toss with rice vinegar (and optional sugar/salt), and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
  • Blanch broccoli in boiling salted water for 1-2 minutes, then cool in an ice bath. Toss with sesame oil and sesame seeds.

Assembly

  • Assemble the bento box: place rice with furikake in one section, add sliced chicken katsu beside or on top, along with steamed broccoli, pickled cabbage, and cherry tomatoes.
  • Drizzle tonkatsu sauce over the chicken or serve it on the side. Enjoy warm or refrigerate and bring to room temperature before eating.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, marinate the chicken briefly in soy sauce or miso before breading. Try incorporating seasonal vegetables for freshness.
Keyword Bento Box, Chicken Katsu, Comfort Food, easy lunch, Japanese Lunch