This post may contain references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Oh Sweet Basil may receive compensation when you click on links to such products.
This hugely addictive Korean Style Fried Chicken will quickly become your new favorite appetizer, snack, or even an entrée! Korean recipes are so good!
Hi there! It’s Lily from Gastro Senses!
I am so thrilled to share this delicious Korean Style Fried Chicken recipe with you. I’ve been inspired by Oh Sweet Basil for as long as I’ve had my own blog, so to say that I’m honored to post here is an understatement!
A little about myself: I live in Toronto, Canada, with my husband, our toddler and two fur babies. My favorite thing in the world is watching them have a healthy appetite. I blog about foods I grew up with, as well as reinvented favorite recipes from around the world.
I am super excited about today’s recipe because it combines Korean flavors and fried chicken. This recipe has kind of the ultimate sweet and mouth-warmingly spicy thing going on, it’s SO GOOD. The chicken is super crunchy due to double frying, which is a traditional Korean style of frying chicken, also know as the other KFC. There is nothing not to love about a chicken coated in some crunchy batter, deep-fried to a golden perfection and served with an explosive Asian sauce.
What is Gochujang
The amazing dipping sauce is a blend of Gochujang, garlic, ginger and orange juice. Gochujang is a traditional Korean fermented red chili pepper paste.
Where to Buy Gochujang
You can find it at your local Asian store or even any regular well-stocked supermarket. The sauce ended up being so flavorful, sweet and tangy with a little spicy kick.
Substitute for Gochujang
If you need a substitute for Gochujang give this a try; Make a paste of 1 tablespoon red chili pepper flakes moistened with soy sauce and add a little sugar. This isn’t exactly the same but will work in a pinch to give you that spice and flavor.
While I love these hot Sriracha wings, that I posted a while ago, this Korean style fried chicken is not not as spicy, so you can eat your fair share without burning your mouth.
The recipe is pretty straightforward and easy. First, we are going to marinate the chicken for a few hours or better yet overnight to infuse some flavors. Then, we’ll whip up some simple tempura style batter and dip our chicken it it. We will fry it the first time for 3-4 minutes, and let it cool on a wire rack.
When ready to serve, we will fry it the second time for another 3 minutes or until perfectly golden.
How to Keep Fried Chicken Hot and Crisp
Turn on a warm oven (about 200 F) to keep your chicken hot and crisp while you get your hands on that Korean dipping sauce. Simply combine all the ingredients in the sauce pan and simmer for about 5 minutes.
And we are done! Ready to serve this Korean Style Fried Chicken. So much crunch, so much flavor, so perfect for the whole family. Clearly you need to make it tonight, or at least as soon as you have time. No excuses!
Korean Style Fried Chicken
I’m so making it all the time now.
Korean Style Fried Chicken
Korean Style Fried Chicken
Ingredients
FOR THE MARINADE
- 2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, quartered
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion, puréed
- 6 Garlic Cloves, pressed
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Ground Ginger
FOR THE BATTER
- 1 Cup All-Purpose Four
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon Baking Powder
- 1 Cup Corn Starch
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 1/4 Cups Ice Water
FOR THE KOREAN DIPPING SAUCE
- 1/2 Cup Ketchup
- 2 Scallions, finely chopped
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 2 Tablespoon Honey
- 4 Tablespoon Gochujang Korean Chili Sauce
- Pinch Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Orange, juiced
- 1 Tablespoon Ginger, grated
- 1/4 Cup Water
OTHER INGREDIENTS
- Oil For Frying
- White/Black Sesame Seeds
- Chopped Scallions
Instructions
MAKE THE MARINADE
- Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, 1 Medium Yellow Onion, 6 Garlic Cloves, 2 teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 Ground Ginger
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
MAKE THE BATTER
- Combine all the ingredients except for water in a large bowl and whisk to combine.1 Cup All-Purpose Four, 1 1/2 Tablespoon Baking Powder, 1 Cup Corn Starch, 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Sugar, 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- Stir in ice water and mix.1 1/4 Cups Ice Water
- Set aside.
1ST FRYING
- Heat the oil in a deep fryer or a heavy pot, like a Dutch oven, to 320 F.Oil For Frying
- Prepare a cooling rack set on top of baking sheet lined with paper towel nearby.
- Once the oil reaches 320 F, coat the chicken pieces in the batter completely and place in hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pot; plan on frying 5-6 pieces at a time.
- Stir them around with a spider or slotted spoon so they don't stick to each other.
- Fry for 4 minutes.
- Remove to the cooling rack and continue with the next batch of chicken.
- Monitor and adjust the temperature after each batch.
MAKE THE KOREAN DIPPING SAUCE
- While the chicken is cooling, prepare the sauce.
- Combine all the ingredients in the sauce pan and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.1/2 Cup Ketchup, 2 Scallions, 4 Garlic Cloves, 2 Tablespoon Honey, 4 Tablespoon Gochujang Korean Chili Sauce, Pinch Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 Orange, 1 Tablespoon Ginger, 1/4 Cup Water
- Let cool to room temperature.
2ND FRYING
- When ready to serve, heat the oil one more time for a quick second frying to get that perfect golden crunch on the chicken.
- Set the thermometer to 375 F this time.
- Fry chicken for another 3 minutes or until golden brown.
- Pull chicken out to the wire rack to drain.
- Serve with Korean dipping sauce, tossed in or on the side. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions.White/Black Sesame Seeds, Chopped Scallions
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
SOUTHERN STYLE FRIED CHICKEN
Juicy chicken on the inside with irresistible crust so full of crunchy ripples.
ASIAN CRISPY HONEY CHICKEN
Crispy outside, juicy on the inside and of course the best part, all sweet and saucy.
This Korean style fried chicken looks like the perfect appetizer for a dinner party or large family gathering! Bite-sized and crispy, and that dipping sauce looks delicious! Thanks for sharing Lily!!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment Leanne! I really appreciate it!
Thanks Leanne! She did a great job!