Hello hungry peoples,
For those interested in up and coming food trends this recipe for you. Korean fried chicken is totally a thing, known for its super crispy exterior. It is also very different from other varieties of fried chicken. The crispy exterior is achieved by creating a thin paint-like batter which contains volatile ingredients such as vodka. Sounds weird right? Trust me it works. Once the chicken is fried super crispy, a sticky spicy glaze is drizzled on top, making for a heavenly combination. Korean fried chicken commonly uses a Korean sweet chilli paste, Gochujang, but I don’t have any so I improvise with the regular stuff.
Korean Fried Chicken
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: Serves 4
Calories per serving: 651
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken thighs
Batter
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 1/2 cup plain flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup vodka
Sauce
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 litre vegetable oil
Cooking Directions
- This first step is to make the batter. Combine the 1/2 cup corn starch, 1/2 cup plain flour and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. Mix with the 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 cup of vodka. The consistency should be liquidy like paint. Add some more water if needed.
- Next we make the sticky sauce. Combine the 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 crushed garlic cloves with 2 tbsps of sesame oil, 4 tbsp of sweet chili sauce, 4 tbsp of brown sugar, 4 tbsp of soy sauce and 2 tbsp of mirin in a small pot. Put it on a medium heat to let the sauce reduce slightly and thicken.
- Put stove on high heat with the oil in a big pot.
- Dice the chicken thighs and coat in batter. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown.
- Once they are all cooked drizzle the sauce on top and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
p.s. I sometimes add some veggies to the sauce towards the end to make it a bit more balanced.
Difficulty: Easy peasy
I love this Karen. I love chicken thighs, and battered fried chicken thighs sound amazing.
Looks super yum Karen! My step-daughter (23) has immersed herself in Korean culture and food, and while she is vegetarian she has introduced us to Gochujang. Who-weeee that has some kick!