Chicken Nanban

Serves 2-3
35 minutes

Rated by 64 people

Click to rate this recipe:

If you enjoy succulent chicken dishes with creamy sauces, this chicken nanban recipe is for you. Chicken nanban is an example of “yoshoku”, Western style food that has been adapted to suit Japanese tastes. This succulent chicken dish originated in Miyazaki Prefecture in the far South of Japan. Topped off with rich tartar sauce, this dish is particularly nice with a side of chips or new potatoes.

Ingredients

fried chicken:
500g chicken thigh
2 eggs
60g flour
60g cornstarch
pinch of sea salt
pinch of black pepper
vegetable oil (for frying)

nanban sauce:
125 ml mirin
125 ml vinegar
60 ml soy sauce
4 tbsp sugar
1 konbu piece

tartar sauce:
2 boiled eggs, chopped
1 half chopped onion
6 tbsp kewpie mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dijon mustard

How To Prepare

First, prepare the chicken for frying. Lightly beat the eggs in a bowl, then cut the chicken thighs into bite size pieces, mixing with the eggs. Using a large resealable container, combine the flour and the cornstarch. Take out the chicken pieces one by one and add them to the flour mixture. Pop on the lid and give the box a good shake, coating the chicken.
Heat up some vegetable oil in a wok. When hot, add the chicken pieces one by one and fry until golden brown- about 3-5 minutes. Allow the chicken to drain on a wire rack or some kitchen roll.
Preparing the nanban sauce is simple. Simply combine all the ingredients, bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer. Continue to simmer for a minute, then turn off the heat. Remove the kombu piece when finished.
Using chopsticks, dip the chicken pieces into the nanban sauce and swirl around thoroughly until all the chicken is well coated. Assemble the chicken on a serving dish.
For the tartar sauce mix onions, lemon juice and mustard, then stir in the eggs and cucumber. Top the chicken generously with tartar sauce and enjoy.