The Best Korean Fried Chicken At Home

Double-fried. Perfectly glazed. This is the best Korean fried chicken you’ll ever make at home.

Prep
20 min
Cook
30 min
Total
60 min
Serves
4
people
The Best Korean Fried Chicken At Home
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Ingredients

Items Used: Fry Away

Sauce: 

  • ¾ cup (192g) gochujang
  • 6 Tbsp (90mL) Korean rice syrup, or honey
  • ⅓ cup (80mL) dark soy sauce, or regular soy sauce
  • 6 Tbsp (90mL) white distilled vinegar
  • ⅓ cup (80mL) sweet soy sauce
  • ½ cup (120g) ketchup
  • 7 cloves garlic, finely minced

Wings (*see notes*):

  • 2 lbs (908g) whole chicken wings (drums and flats not separated)
  • 2 tsp (7g) kosher salt
  • ½ tsp (2g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp (3g) MSG
  • 1 tsp (3g) coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1” (2 cm) knob ginger, peeled and grated
  • Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish 

Dry Dredge: 

  • 2 cups (300g) potato starch
  • 1 cup (150g) all-purpose flour 
  • 2.5 tsp (9g) kosher salt
  • ½ tsp (2g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp (3g) MSG 
  • 1 Tbsp (10g) garlic powder
  • 1 tsp (3g) ground white pepper 

Wet Batter: 

  • ⅓ cup (50g) dry dredge
  • 1.5 tsp (5g) baking powder
  • ⅔ cup (180mL) cold water, plus more to adjust consistency if needed

Frying:

  • 2-3 quarts (1.9-2.8L) canola or peanut oil

Popcorn Chicken: 

  • 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 2 lbs (908g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1.5 tsp (5g) kosher salt
  • ½ tsp (2g) granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp (2g) MSG
  • 1 tsp (3g) coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1” (2 cm) knob ginger, peeled and grated
  • Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish
  • 2-3 quarts (1.9-2.8L) canola or peanut oil, for frying

Directions

Sauce: 

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the gochujang, rice syrup (or honey), dark soy sauce, vinegar, sweet soy sauce, and ketchup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in the minced garlic. Optionally, let steep for 5 minutes then strain for a smoother consistency. Either use right away or store in the fridge in an airtight container until ready to use. 

Wings:

  1. Toss the chicken wings in a large bowl with the salt, sugar, MSG, black pepper, and grated ginger. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight, to let the flavors develop.

Dry Dredge:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the potato starch, flour, salt, sugar, MSG, garlic powder, and white pepper until evenly combined. Reserve ⅓ cup for the wet batter.

Wet Batter:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the reserved dry dredge and baking powder then stir together until combined. Gradually whisk in the cold water until you have a smooth, pourable batter.

Frying:

  1. Pour your fry oil into a heavy pot that’s around 6-7 quarts (5.7-6.6 L) and heat over medium to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Pat your wings dry of any moisture on the outside. Flick a couple tablespoons of the wet batter into the dry dredge to create extra crispy bits of crust on your chicken after frying. Working in batches, dip each marinated wing into the wet batter, letting any excess drip off, then immediately transfer to the dry dredge. Toss and press the dredge onto all sides until the wing is completely coated. Set on a baking sheet and repeat with the rest of your chicken.
  3. Fry the wings in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot, until lightly golden but not too browned, and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes. Drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of your chicken. Once all the wings are fried, increase the oil temperature to 350°F (177°C). Use a fine mesh strainer to remove any particulate matter from the oil to keep it as clean as possible.
  4. Fry your wings again, in batches, for about 2 more minutes or until a nicely golden brown. Drain again on the rack. Let the crust set for 1-2 minutes then transfer the wings to a large mixing bowl, cover with your sauce, and gently toss until each piece is evenly coated. Plate and garnish with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve and enjoy!

Popcorn Chicken: 

  1. In a large mixing bowl, toss the chicken with the salt, sugar, MSG, grated ginger, and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight, to let the flavors develop.
  2. Pour your fry oil into a heavy pot that’s around 6-7 quarts (5.7-6.6 L) and heat over medium to 325°F (163°C).
  3. Pat your nuggets dry of any moisture on the outside. Flick a couple tablespoons of the wet batter into the dry dredge to create extra crispy bits of crust on your chicken after frying. Working in batches, dip the cubes into the wet batter, letting the excess drip off, then press them firmly into the dry dredge until evenly coated. Set on a baking sheet and repeat with the rest of your chicken.
  4. Fry in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot, until they’re golden and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per batch. Transfer to a wire rack set over a sheet pan to drain. Raise the oil temperature to 350°F (177°C). Use a fine mesh strainer to remove any particulate matter to keep the oil as clean as possible. Fry the chicken again in batches for an additional 1–2 minutes, until extra-crispy. Drain again on the rack. 
  5. Transfer the nuggets to a large mixing bowl, cover with your sauce, and gently toss until each piece is evenly coated. Plate and garnish with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve and enjoy!

* Notes:

  • Choose either the wings or popcorn chicken, or make both!