Chicken Nanban

 Chicken Nanban

Chicken Nanban is a popular Japanese dish that originated in the Miyazaki Prefecture. It consists of crispy fried chicken served with a sweet and sour sauce. Here's a basic recipe to make Chicken Nanban at home:

### Ingredients:

#### For the chicken:

- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Flour for dredging

- 1-2 eggs, beaten

- Panko breadcrumbs for coating

- Vegetable oil for frying

#### For the sauce:

- 3 tablespoons soy sauce

- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar

- 3 tablespoons sugar

- 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)

- 1 tablespoon sake (Japanese rice wine)

- 1 teaspoon grated ginger

- 1 teaspoon grated garlic

- 1-2 green onions, thinly sliced

- Optional: 1-2 dried red chilies (for some heat)

#### For serving:

- Cooked rice

- Shredded cabbage (for garnish)

- Tartar sauce (optional)

### Instructions:

#### 1. Prepare the Chicken:

1. Slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper.

2. Dredge the chicken pieces in flour, then dip them into the beaten eggs, and finally coat them thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. Ensure each piece is evenly coated.

#### 2. Fry the Chicken:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or pot to around 350°F (175°C).

2. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until they are golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan, as this will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken.

3. Once fried, transfer the chicken pieces to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

#### 3. Make the Sauce:

1. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, mirin, sake, grated ginger, and grated garlic.

2. If you prefer some heat, add dried red chilies to the sauce.

3. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce has slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes.

4. Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and stir in the sliced green onions.

#### 4. Assemble and Serve:

1. Place the fried chicken pieces on a serving plate.

2. Drizzle the sauce generously over the chicken.

3. Serve the Chicken Nanban with cooked rice and shredded cabbage on the side.

4. Optionally, serve with tartar sauce for additional flavor.

Enjoy your homemade Chicken Nanban!