Easy Korean Fried Chicken
Easy homemade Korean fried chicken with crispy double-fried exterior, sweet gochujang glaze, and juicy tender meat. Ready in 50 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.75 cup cornstarch
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 large egg
- 3 quarts vegetable oil for deep frying
- 3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 0.5 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 3 stalks scallions, sliced thin
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
- 2
Combine soy sauce, minced garlic, fresh ginger, and rice vinegar in a small bowl, whisking until well blended.
- 3
Pour the marinade over the chicken, tossing to coat all pieces evenly, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.
- 4
Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- 5
Mix together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, 0.5 teaspoon salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish.
- 6
Whisk the egg in a separate shallow bowl and dip each chicken piece into the egg, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres.
- 7
Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 325-350°F using a cooking thermometer to monitor temperature accurately.
- 8
Lower the chicken carefully into the hot oil, working in two batches to avoid crowding, and fry for 12-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through but not yet golden brown.
- 9
Remove the first batch of chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels for 5-10 minutes while the oil temperature rises.
- 10
Increase the oil temperature to 375-400°F and fry the chicken again in batches for 3-4 minutes until deeply golden and crispy, then transfer to a clean paper towel.
- 11
While the chicken fries, combine gochujang, honey, butter, and water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches a simmer.
- 12
Reduce the heat to low and cook the glaze for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- 13
Transfer the hot, crispy chicken to a large bowl and immediately pour the warm glaze over it, tossing gently but thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated.
- 14
Sprinkle the glazed chicken with sesame seeds and sliced scallions, then transfer to a serving platter and enjoy while still warm.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable oil | Peanut oil or avocado oil | Higher smoke point and more stable at frying temperatures, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation |
| All-purpose flour | Brown rice flour or almond flour blend (50/50) | Lower glycemic index and higher protein content, reducing blood sugar spikes and supporting sustained energy |
| Honey | Monk fruit sweetener or stevia (reduce to 1.5 tablespoons) | Zero glycemic impact and no inflammatory response from refined sugars |
| Gochujang | Sriracha combined with miso paste (2 tablespoons sriracha + 1 tablespoon white miso) | Fermented miso provides probiotics and enzymes supporting digestive health and inflammation reduction |
| Deep frying in oil | Air fryer at 380°F for 20 minutes (skip double-frying, single 20-minute cook) | Reduces total fat consumption by 85% while maintaining crispiness; eliminates oxidized oil inflammation triggers |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 485 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 162mg |
| Sodium | 680mg |
| Carbohydrates | 32g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 8g |
| Protein | 44g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
