Go Back
chicken nanban in a bowl of shredded cabbage topped with tartar sauce
Print Pin

Easy Chicken Nanban Recipe

Crispy fried chicken coated in sweet nanban sauce and topped with creamy tartar — a Japanese favorite made easy at home
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 people
Cost $6

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless chicken thighs (cubed)
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 2 tsp Soy sauce
  • 2 tsp Cooking wine
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 tsp Corn Starch
  • 2 tbsp Flour

Nanban sauce

  • 2 tbsp Soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Mirin
  • 1 tbsp Sugar

Tartar Sauce

  • 2 hard boiled eggs
  • 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1 tsp Black pepper
  • 1.5 tsp Rice vinegar

Optional

  • 1/4 head cabbage shredded

Instructions

  • Marinate the chicken:
    In a bowl, combine cubed chicken with salt, soy sauce, cooking wine, black pepper, and cornstarch. Mix well and let it marinate for 10–15 minutes.
  • Make the tartar sauce:
    In the same time, hard boil two eggs for about 10 minutes, then transfer to an ice bath to cool. Peel and chop the eggs, then mix with mayonnaise, rice vinegar, salt, and black pepper until creamy. Chill in the fridge until ready to use.
  • Cook the chicken:
    Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and pan-fry for 4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.
  • Add the nanban sauce:
    Pour the nanban sauce ingredients directly into the pan. Cover with a lid and let the chicken simmer for 2 minutes so the flavors soak in.
  • Serve and enjoy:
    Place the chicken over a bed of freshly shredded cabbage and finish with a generous spoonful of tartar sauce on top.