Best Korean Fried Chicken: Chef’s Secret

Introduction

Korean Fried Chicken, more commonly known as KFC, has taken the world by storm as a culinary phenomenon. Light and crispy, it’s perfectly seasoned, with its outer crust often smothered in any variety of delicious sauces—all this in contrast to usual fried chicken that one may encounter in the West. This dish brings together the cream of Korean culinary techniques with the irrepressible appeal of fried chicken to create something unique and flavorful. Regardless of whether you’re an experienced cook or a kitchen novice, this elaborate recipe is sure to guide you through the whole process to make the perfect Korean Fried Chicken at home.

History of Korean Fried Chicken

Korean Fried Chicken, or “Yangnyeum Tongdak“, has a rich history dating back to the 1970s when it was introduced as a modern twist in the traditional Korean way of cooking, incorporating Western frying techniques. Through the years, it has become a favorite dish across all age groups. This is a double-frying technique in which the exterior has become crispy, but it remains juicy and tender. Sweet and spicy sauces made it standard fare in Korean cuisine and with food lovers worldwide.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 pounds chicken wings or drumettes
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper

For the Breading:

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper

For the Sauce:

• 1/2 cup of gochujang, Korean red chili paste
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 1/4 cup of rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons of water

For Garnish:

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken

Take the chicken first and prepare it for marination so the chicken absorbs the flavor and remains tender while frying.

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
2. Add the chicken wings or drumettes to the marinade, making sure each is well-coated.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight if possible.

2. Prepare the Breading

The breading is important in making that signature crispy Korean Fried Chicken.

1. Mix all the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and black pepper in another bowl.
2. Remove marinated chicken and let the excess liquid drop off.
    
3. Coat every piece nicely with the flour mixture, then dust off any extra flour.
4. Heat up oil in your deep fryer or large pot to a temperature of 350°F.
5. Take care as you are frying chicken in batches not to have too many in the pot at one time. For about 6-8 minutes, fry the chicken until it turns light golden brown.
6. Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack to allow excess oil to drain off.
7. Raise the temperature of the oil to 375°F.
8. Re-fry the chicken for another 2-3 minutes until it is golden brown and extra crispy.
9. Take out the chicken from the oil and return it to a wire rack to drain off excess oil.

4. Prepare the Sauce

The sauce adds a savory sweet and spicy kick to the crispy chicken.

1. In a saucepan, whisk together the gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, brown sugar, and water.
2. Medium heat, and cook, constantly stirring, until the sauce thickens and has turned shiny.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool. But reserve.

5. Coat the Chicken in Sauce

1. Once all of your chicken is double-fried, place it into a large bowl.
2. Toss chicken with the prepared sauce to coat each piece.
3. Serve right away, so it retains the crispiness of the chicken.

6. Garnish and Serve

1. Transfer chicken in sauce to a platter.
2. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for flavor and looks.
3. Serve hot with your choice of side dishes, whether it is pickled radishes, coleslaw, or steamed rice.

Nutritional Information

Calculated below is the nutritional information per serving (assuming 4 servings):

• Calories: 680 kcal
• Protein: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 56g
• Sugars: 15g
• Fiber: 2g
• Fat: 34g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 135mg
• Sodium: 1350mg
  

Note: Nutritional values vary based on the ingredients used and serving portions.

Tips to Achieving Perfect Korean Fried Chicken

1. Marinating Time: The longer it is marinated, the more flavorful and tender your chicken will be.
2. Double-Frying: This step really makes a difference in the exterior crispiness. The first fry cooks the chicken, and the second fry crisps the coating.
3. Oil Temperature: The temperature of the oil should be right. If too low, the chicken will end up greasy; if too high, it will burn.
4. Sauce consistency: If you want a thicker or thinner consistency of the sauce, do it so by changing the period of cooking or the amount of added water.
   

Korean Fried Chicken is a celebratory dish that brings together flavors of Korea and frying techniques in general. You will learn to make this trendy, scrumptious, unmistakable-tasting dish at home with this detailed recipe.Also follow us on Medium and Pinterest.