Recipe courtesy of Yakitori Jinbei
Korean Fried Chicken
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 2 servings
- Total: 2 hr 45 min (includes marinating time)
- Active: 45 min
Ingredients
Korean Fried Chicken Sauce:
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup ketchup
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup gochujang
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Korean chili powder
1/4 teaspoon capsaicin powder (see Cook's Note)
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Korean Fried Chicken:
1 gallon fry oil
1 whole chicken (3 1/2 to 4 pounds), quartered
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 green onion, chopped
Pinch of sesame seeds
Directions
- For the Korean fried chicken sauce: Add the corn syrup, ketchup, sugar, gochujang, soy sauce, chili powder, capsaicin powder, garlic and 3 tablespoons water to a mixing bowl. Stir well and let marinate in the fridge for at least 24 hours.
- For the Korean fried chicken: Preheat the oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Chop the chicken breasts into 3 pieces and the thighs into 2 pieces. Disjoint the wing into 2 pieces. There should be 16 pieces total, including 2 drumsticks. Place the chicken into a mixing bowl and season with the salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Mix the flour, cornstarch and curry powder in a bowl. Set aside half for the dredge and half for the batter. Mix half of the flour mixture with 1 cup water until the consistency of a runny batter. Add more water if the consistency is too thick. Using the other half of the flour mixture, dredge the chicken pieces. Dip the coated chicken into the batter one at a time. Immediately add the battered chicken to the hot oil and let cook for about 12 minutes.
- Remove the chicken and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes. This will allow the chicken to have a crispier texture. Using a pastry brush, brush the Korean fried chicken sauce onto the chicken in an even coat, without breaking the crust.
- Finish with the chopped green onion and sesame seeds.
Cook’s Note
If you cannot find capsaicin powder, you can substitute with cayenne powder. Make sure the chicken pieces are dry when dredging in the flour mixture. You don't want the pieces to be too wet, or else it will create a thick mess.