Make restaurant-quality Korean fried chicken at home. This recipe uses a double-fry technique for an ultra-crispy crust and coats it in an addictive sweet and spicy Gochujang sauce.
Author:purejoyalex
Prep Time:25 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:65 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Deep Frying
Cuisine:Korean
Diet:Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs chicken pieces (wings or thighs work well)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup potato starch or cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup cold water
2 cups neutral oil for frying (e.g., canola or vegetable)
1/2 cup Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels. This step is key for crispiness.
Mix the dry coating: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, potato starch, salt, pepper, and baking powder.
Make the batter: Slowly whisk the cold water into the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.
Coat the chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the batter, letting excess drip off.
First Fry (Cooking the chicken): Heat the oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 325°F (160°C). Fry the chicken in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot, for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly golden and cooked through. Remove and drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Let the chicken rest for at least 15 minutes.
Make the glaze: While the chicken rests, combine the Gochujang, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
Second Fry (Crisping): Increase the oil temperature to 375°F (190°C). Fry the rested chicken pieces again in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until they are deep golden brown and extremely crisp. Drain quickly on the wire rack.
Glaze the chicken: Place the hot, double-fried chicken into a large bowl. Pour the warm Gochujang glaze over the chicken and toss quickly to coat every piece evenly.
Serve immediately: Transfer the coated Korean fried chicken to a serving platter. Garnish generously with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve this crispy fried chicken right away for the best texture.
Notes
For extra juicy tender chicken, you can marinate the chicken pieces in a mixture of salt, pepper, and a splash of buttermilk for 30 minutes before battering.
If you prefer a less spicy flavor, reduce the amount of Gochujang in the glaze and substitute with extra honey or soy sauce.
This recipe focuses on the double fried chicken technique for maximum crunch, which is essential for authentic KFC style.