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Korean Fried Chicken with Spicy Gochujang Sauce Recipe

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4.4 from 14 reviews

This Korean Fried Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts marinated in buttermilk and spices, coated in a crispy, flavorful batter, and deep-fried to golden perfection. The chicken is then tossed in a spicy, sweet, and savory gochujang-based sauce, garnished with fresh spring onions, sesame seeds, and chili flakes. A delightful dish combining crunch and bold Korean flavors ideal for a satisfying meal.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade

  • 4 chicken breasts (approx 700g or 1.5lb), sliced into long thick strips
  • 240 ml (1 cup) buttermilk
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic salt

Crispy Coating

  • 180 g (1 1/2 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic salt
  • 1/2 tsp celery salt
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes

Frying Oil

  • Oil for deep frying (at least 1 litre / 4 cups) – avocado oil preferred, or sunflower/canola oil

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp gochujang paste
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 4 tbsp brown sugar
  • 4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 tsp minced ginger
  • 1 tbsp oil (avocado oil preferred, or sunflower/canola oil)
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

Garnish

  • 3 spring onions, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tsp chilli flakes (red pepper flakes)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken strips in a bowl and add the buttermilk, salt, white pepper, and garlic salt. Mix well to coat all pieces. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate and tenderize the meat.
  2. Prepare the Oil: Preheat your oven to a low setting to keep cooked chicken warm. Heat a large pan with at least 1 litre (4 cups) of deep frying oil over medium-high heat, or preheat your deep fat fryer. Test the oil’s readiness by dropping a small cube of bread into it – if it rises quickly and bubbles vigorously, the oil is hot enough for frying.
  3. Mix the Crispy Coating: In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic salt, celery salt, dried thyme, paprika, baking powder, and chili flakes. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agent.
  4. Coat the Chicken: Remove chicken strips from the marinade, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the crispy coating mixture ensuring it is fully covered. Place coated pieces on a tray and repeat until all chicken strips are coated.
  5. Fry the Chicken: When the oil is at the correct temperature, carefully add 5-6 chicken strips at a time to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 3-5 minutes until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Confirm doneness by cutting a piece to check that it is no longer pink inside.
  6. Keep Warm: Transfer cooked chicken pieces to a tray placed in the low-heated oven to keep them warm and maintain crispiness while frying the remaining chicken.
  7. Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, combine gochujang paste, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, vegetable oil, and sesame oil. Stir to mix well.
  8. Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  9. Toss Chicken with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the crispy fried chicken and gently toss to ensure all pieces are evenly coated in the sticky, flavorful sauce.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the sliced spring onions, sesame seeds, and chili flakes over the coated chicken. Serve immediately for the best texture and taste.

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken in buttermilk helps tenderize it and adds moisture.
  • Do not overcrowd the oil while frying to maintain even cooking and crispiness.
  • Keeping fried chicken warm in a low oven helps retain crispness without drying it out.
  • Gochujang paste provides authentic Korean spice and flavor; substitute with a mix of chili paste and miso if unavailable.
  • Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for frying to avoid off flavors.
  • Adjust chili flakes in the coating and garnish to control the heat level of the dish.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Korean