Nagaimo Yam Fries and Chicken Nuggets

Nagaimo fries have a flakier texture than regular French fries. Adding potato starch to the chicken nugget batter makes the outside extra crispy.

Nagaimo Yam Fries and Chicken Nuggets
Photographed by Takeshi Noguchi


Recipe by
Yuko Murata

Average

Chicken

Vegetables

Party

310kcal

20minutes

Calorie count is per serving.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 1 nagaimo yam (relatively thin) (approx. 400 g)
    Note

    Nagaimo yams belong to the yamaimo potato family. Shaped like sticks, they can be more than 1 m long. They have a higher moisture content compared to other yamaimo potatoes and are less sticky.

  • 2 chicken breasts (400 g)

  • [Chicken nugget breading]

    • 1 egg
    • 2 tbsp grated cheese
    • 2 tbsp flour
    • 2 tbsp potato starch
    • 1 tsp garlic (grated)
    • 1 tsp granulated chicken stock
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • Pepper, to taste
  • Butterhead lettuce, as needed
  • Lemon (cut into wedges), as needed
  • Ketchup, to taste
  • Oil for deep-frying, as needed
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Directions

1

Pass the nagaimo yam through a flame to singe off the "hairs", then rinse under running water. Cut it into pieces 6 to 7 cm long with the skin still on, then cut each piece into strips along its length so they are 1 cm square wide.

Advice

Be careful not to burn your hands on the nagaimo yam.

2

Remove the skin and excess fat from the chicken and cut into bite-sized sogi-giri pieces 1 cm thick.

3

In a bowl, beat the egg for the [Chicken nugget breading], then add the remaining ingredients for the breading and mix together. Add the chicken and massage in by hand.

4

Heat your deep-frying oil to 170-175°C, then add the nagaimo yam. Deep fry for 3-4 min, turning over occasionally, until lightly browned and crisp. Remove from the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

5

Place the pieces of chicken, making sure they stay coated in the chicken nugget breading, into the frying oil one by one. Once the breading sets, turn over occasionally. Fry for 3-4 min, or until golden brown and crunchy.

6

Serve the nagaimo yam fries and chicken nuggets on a bed of butterhead lettuce, with lemon wedges, salt, and ketchup on the side.

Tips

To store:
Store in an airtight container lined with a paper towel. Will keep for 1 - 2 days in the refrigerator.