DSC5354 01 2 - Dakgangjeong (Sweet Crispy Korean Fried Chicken)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thigh and/or breast
  • ½ cup milk optional
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • pinch pepper
  • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon minced ginger
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine if not using milk
  • A cup potato starch or corn starch
  • Oil for deep frying

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons rice wine or mirin
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang, 고추장 (Korean red chili pepper paste) Omit for a mild version and add 1 more tablespoon soy sauce (Also see note)
  • 3 tablespoons honey or corn or rice syrup (use 4 tablespoons)
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • pPinch pepper

Garnish

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped peanuts or seeds

Instructions

  • Remove any visible fat. Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces.
DSC5298 640x427 - Dakgangjeong (Sweet Crispy Korean Fried Chicken)
  • Soak the chicken pieces in milk for at least 30 minutes in the fridge. This step is optional.
DSC5301 640x427 - Dakgangjeong (Sweet Crispy Korean Fried Chicken)
  • Drain well. Mix with the salt, pepper, rice wine (if you didn't use milk) garlic, and ginger. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
DSC 5140 768x514 - Dakgangjeong (Sweet Crispy Korean Fried Chicken)
  • In a pan, add all the sauce ingredients, and stir well. Bring it to a boil. When it starts to bubble, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until it thickens slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the heat off.
Dakgangjeong sauce 768x514 - Dakgangjeong (Sweet Crispy Korean Fried Chicken)
  • Coat each chicken piece well with the potato (or corn) starch.
DSC5302 640x427 - Dakgangjeong (Sweet Crispy Korean Fried Chicken)
  • Pour about 1 inch of oil in to a heavy bottom pan. Use a narrow and deep pan if available, When the oil is sufficiently hot (330°F), drop the chicken pieces in one at a time. Fry them in two batches. Overcrowding will drop the oil temperature too quickly. Cook until light golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove and set them on a wire rack or a paper towel-lined plate.
Dakgangjeong deep frying 768x514 - Dakgangjeong (Sweet Crispy Korean Fried Chicken)
  • Reheat the oil to 330°F. Deep fry again until golden brown, about a minute or two. You can do the second frying in one batch.
DSC 5163 768x514 - Dakgangjeong (Sweet Crispy Korean Fried Chicken)
  • Heat the sauce over medium low heat. Add the chicken and stir well until the chicken pieces are evenly coated.
Dakgangjeong 8 e1469251688233 - Dakgangjeong (Sweet Crispy Korean Fried Chicken)

Notes

You can also boost the heat level by simmering the sauce with a little bit of gochugaru (Korean red chili pepper flakes) or whole dried red peppers.