Here’s a delicious recipe for Spicy Gochujang Korean Fried Chicken that will bring the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch!
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken wings or drumsticks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Oil for frying
For the Gochujang Sauce:
- ¼ cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour buttermilk into a separate bowl. Dip each chicken piece into the buttermilk, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture. Repeat for extra crispiness by dipping in buttermilk and flour mix again (optional for double coating).
- Set the coated chicken aside on a wire rack while you heat the oil.
2. Fry the Chicken:
- Heat oil in a large, deep frying pan or a deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the chicken in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove chicken from the oil and drain on paper towels. Let it rest for a few minutes.
3. Make the Gochujang Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine gochujang, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (add more honey for sweetness or more gochujang for spice).
4. Toss and Serve:
- Once the chicken is fried and sauce is ready, toss the fried chicken in the gochujang sauce until evenly coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Serve with:
- Pickled radish
- Steamed rice
- Extra dipping sauce on the side
Enjoy your spicy, crispy Korean fried chicken!