Japanese Chicken Nuggets – Easy Kitchen Guide

By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on July 15, 2023 | Last Updated on August 19, 2023

Did you ever try the Japanese chicken nuggets? If not, then you should! The Japanese Chicken Nuggets are a delicious and crunchy treat that will have you coming back for more. They are just the right balance of savory and sweet flavors. This dish is perfect as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.

So, are you interested to learn how to make them? Let’s get started!

What are Japanese chicken nuggets?

Japanese chicken nuggets are bite-sized pieces of chicken that have been deep-fried and then tossed in a flavorful sauce. The outside is crispy and crunchy while the inside is tender and juicy. They are traditionally served as an appetizer or side dish, but they can also be enjoyed as a main course.

Where Did I First Try Japanese chicken nuggets? 

I first tried Japanese chicken nuggets while eating at a ramen restaurant in Tokyo. I was visiting the city with my friends and we were looking for something to eat that was different than anything we had ever tried before.

 That’s when we stumbled upon this restaurant, which served traditional Japanese food like ramen, tempura, and yakitori. But then one of my friends noticed that the menu also had something called Japanese chicken nuggets. 

We decided to give it a try and were not disappointed! The chunks of fried chicken were tossed in a flavorful soy sauce-based marinade that complemented the crunchy exterior perfectly.

The marinade contained ginger, garlic, and other spices which added depth and complexity to the flavor. The chicken was tender and juicy on the inside, while the exterior was perfectly crisp.

We ate them with bowls of hot ramen noodles and enjoyed every last bite! After that first experience, I made it a point to try Japanese chicken nuggets whenever I had an opportunity.

And it wasn’t just the taste that made them so special, the presentation was also part of the appeal. The nuggets were served in a beautiful bowl with fresh vegetables and garnishes. It was almost too pretty to eat!

After that experience, I decided to try making Japanese chicken nuggets at home. It was surprisingly easy and the results were delicious! Nowadays, Japanese chicken nuggets are a favorite in my house. 

Every now and then I make a batch and serve them as an appetizer before dinner. So I’m sharing the recipe with you so you can try it too! I’ve included all the details below so you don’t need to worry at all.

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Ingredients

• Chicken breasts: At first, you will need chicken breasts as these are the main ingredients of our dish. Cut them into cubes and dry them with a paper towel before you proceed to the next step.
• Cornstarch: Corn starch will be combined with ordinary white flour and used to coat the chicken cubes. This will give it a nice crispy texture when fried in hot oil.
• White flour: The combination of cornstarch and plain white flour will create a nice, crunchy coating on the chicken cubes.
• Soy sauce: The soy sauce is what adds flavor to the dish and gives it its distinct taste. It also helps keep the chicken moist when cooked.
• Grated ginger root: Ginger has a unique flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in this dish. Grating it ensures that it releases its flavor into the marinade.
• Garlic cloves: Garlic adds a nice depth of flavor and helps to balance out the other ingredients. Crush them lightly before adding them to the marinade.
• Salt & pepper: Salt and pepper are necessary for seasoning your dish, but use them sparingly as too much will make it too salty.
• Vegetable oil: You will need vegetable oil for deep-frying the chicken cubes. Make sure that it is hot enough before adding the chicken, otherwise, the coating won’t be as crispy.

Cooking Directions

Step 1

Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and dry them with paper towels. In a bowl, combine the cornstarch and white flour together. Add in the chicken cubes and mix well to coat them evenly.

Step 2

Heat up vegetable oil in the fryer or skillet until it reaches 350°C. Add the chicken cubes into the fryer or skillet and deep fry them for about 6-8 minutes. Make sure to turn them occasionally for even cooking.

Step 3

When the chicken nuggets are golden brown, remove them from the heat and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Pour this mixture over the fried chicken nuggets and mix well to coat them evenly. 

Serve the Japanese chicken nuggets warm with a side of steamed rice or your favorite dipping sauce.

Cooking Tips

• Make sure that the oil is hot enough before adding in the chicken cubes; this will ensure proper cooking and a nice, crispy coating.
• Be careful not to overfill the fryer or skillet with chicken cubes as this will lower the temperature of the oil and result in soggy nuggets.
• If you prefer a less spicy version, omit the garlic cloves from the marinade and reduce the amount of ginger root used.

What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?

• If you don’t have all the ingredients on hand, there are some substitutions that can be made.
• For the chicken breasts, you can substitute boneless and skinless dark-meat chicken thighs.
• You can also use rice flour instead of cornstarch to coat the chicken cubes if desired.
• If you don’t have soy sauce, you can use tamari or liquid aminos as a substitute.
• The ginger root can be substituted with freshly grated horseradish if desired.

Nutrition Information

One serving of Japanese chicken nuggets (6-8 pieces) contains approximately

• 200 calories
• 10 grams of fat, 
• 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 
• 28 grams of protein, and 
• 6.3 grams of carbohydrates.

FAQs

Wrapping Up

Thanks for reading this recipe on Japanese chicken nuggets. With a few simple ingredients and some easy steps, you can make this delicious dish at home! Just remember to be careful when cooking the nuggets in hot oil and to season them lightly so that they don’t become too salty.

In addition, feel free to substitute the ingredients or make variations depending on your tastes and dietary preferences. Japanese chicken nuggets are an incredibly versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, entrée, or even as part of a sandwich.

I guarantee that your family and friends will love this tasty dish, so make sure you share the recipe with them.

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