The Best Korean Fried Chicken Recipe: Crispy, Sweet & Spicy

Crispy Korean fried chicken converts ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering culinary adventure that captivates taste buds with its remarkable texture and bold flavors.

This iconic dish represents a perfect balance between crunchy exterior and succulent meat that promises an unforgettable dining experience.

Remarkable marinades and specialized coating techniques elevate this recipe beyond standard fried chicken preparations, creating a sensational result that tingles every sense.

Multiple layers of seasoning contribute to its distinctive character, making each bite an explosion of tangy, sweet, and spicy sensations.

The secret lies in double-frying techniques that guarantee an impossibly crisp shell while maintaining tender inner meat.

Traditional Korean cooking methods infuse this dish with cultural significance and gastronomic innovation that sets it apart from conventional recipes.

Culinary enthusiasts appreciate the intricate process that demands precision, patience, and passion for creating something truly extraordinary.

Korean Fried Chicken With Crackling Crunch

• Savor Flavor-Packed Crunch: Korean fried chicken delivers an explosive taste sensation with its perfectly crispy exterior and juicy interior. The gochujang-based sauce creates a bold, sweet-and-spicy coating that elevates the entire dish.
• Master a Restaurant-Quality Technique: This recipe transforms ordinary chicken into a gourmet experience using professional-level frying methods. Home cooks can easily replicate the crispy, golden-brown texture that makes Korean fried chicken world-famous.
• Customize Your Spice Adventure: The flexible sauce recipe allows you to adjust heat levels and sweetness to match your personal taste preferences. Whether you love mild flavors or crave intense fire, this dish adapts perfectly to your spice tolerance.
• Quick and Impressive Party Pleaser: Prepare this crowd-stopping dish in under an hour, making it ideal for gatherings, game nights, or spontaneous dinner celebrations. The vibrant colors and irresistible aroma guarantee guests will be impressed and coming back for more.

Key Ingredients Behind This Sweet Heat Favorite

• Chicken Strips: Tender meat that forms the base of the dish, best when fresh and not frozen.

• Buttermilk, Salt, White Pepper, Garlic Salt: Tenderizes chicken and adds deep flavor layers, helping create a juicy interior.

• Flour, Cornstarch, Baking Powder: Creates a super crispy exterior with light and airy texture, essential for perfect Korean fried chicken.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil perfect for high-temperature frying, ensures even and crisp cooking.

• Gochujang Paste: Korean fermented chili paste that provides signature spicy and complex flavor.
• Honey, Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps sauce caramelize.
• Soy Sauce: Brings umami depth and saltiness to the sauce.
• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that enhance overall sauce flavor profile.
• Sesame Oil: Adds distinctive nutty Asian flavor note.

• Spring Onions, Sesame Seeds, Chili Flakes: Provide fresh, crunchy, and spicy finishing touches to the dish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crispy Korean Fried Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Marinade

• Buttermilk
• Salt
• White pepper
• Garlic salt

Coat chicken strips thoroughly and refrigerate for 1-8 hours to infuse deep flavors.

Step 2: Set Up Cooking Station

• Preheat oven to low temperature (around 200°F)
• Prepare a large skillet or deep fryer
• Pour vegetable oil about 2 inches deep
• Heat oil until it reaches 350°F (test with a bread cube)

Step 3: Create Crispy Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking powder
• Paprika
• Black pepper
• Onion powder

Step 4: Coat Chicken Pieces

Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.

Dredge each piece completely in coating mixture, pressing gently to ensure full coverage.

Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully place chicken into hot oil in small batches.

Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Transfer cooked pieces to oven-warmed tray to maintain crispiness.

Step 6: Craft Spicy Sweet Sauce

• Gochujang paste
• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Vegetable oil
• Sesame oil

Simmer for 5-7 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Step 7: Final Toss and Garnish

Generously coat fried chicken in spicy sauce.

• Chopped green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Red chili flakes

Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Tips for Glaze That Sticks Just Right

• Master the Marinade: Let chicken soak in buttermilk for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption, giving you juicier meat that's incredibly succulent.
• Achieve Crispy Perfection: Ensure oil is hot enough by using a thermometer or testing with a bread cube; consistent oil temperature guarantees golden, crunchy exterior without greasy results.
• Coating Technique: Pat chicken dry before dredging to help coating stick better and create an extra crisp layer that locks in moisture.
• Batch Frying Strategy: Don't overcrowd the pan to maintain oil temperature and prevent soggy chicken; fry in small batches for even, crispy results.
• Sauce Balance: Adjust gochujang and honey ratio to control spiciness and sweetness, creating a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste buds.

How to Keep Korean Fried Chicken Crispy Later

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Korean fried chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain best quality and food safety.
• Reheat in Oven: Restore crispiness by preheating oven to 375°F. Spread chicken pieces on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Option: For quick reheating, place chicken on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, rotating pieces to ensure even warming. Note that microwaving may slightly soften the crispy coating.

Delicious Pairings for Your Korean Chicken Feast

• Pair Spicy Chicken with Cool Refreshment: Serve Korean fried chicken alongside a chilled, crisp Korean beer like Cass or Hite to balance the heat and richness of the spicy gochujang sauce.
• Complement with Tangy Banchan: Add cucumber kimchi or pickled radishes as a side dish to cut through the chicken's richness and provide a refreshing, acidic counterpoint.
• Create a Balanced Meal Combo: Serve with steamed white rice and a light green salad dressed with a sesame vinaigrette to round out the flavors and add nutritional balance to the crispy, saucy chicken.
• Enhance with Creamy Dipping Option: Prepare a quick dipping sauce using Greek yogurt mixed with a touch of gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) to offer a cool, creamy contrast to the spicy chicken.

Twist the Classic With These Korean-Inspired Ideas

• Spicy Gochugaru Kick: Replace gochujang with Korean red pepper powder (gochugaru) for a more intense, complex heat profile that provides a traditional Korean chili flavor.
• Citrus Zest Edition: Add orange or yuzu zest to the marinade and sauce for a bright, tangy undertone that cuts through the richness of the fried chicken.
• Crispy Herb Coating: Incorporate dried herbs like thyme or rosemary into the coating mixture for an aromatic, earthy dimension that complements the spicy sauce.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with rice flour or cornstarch in the coating to create a lighter, crispier exterior that's suitable for gluten-sensitive diners.

Korean Fried Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy Korean fried chicken delivers an explosion of flavor with its perfectly golden exterior and irresistibly juicy meat. Glazed with a spicy-sweet sauce and garnished with sesame seeds, this dish promises a delectable journey through Korean street food culture you won’t want to miss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 240 milliliters (1 cup) buttermilk

Chicken Coating and Seasoning:

• 180 grams (1 ½ cups) plain flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• ½ teaspoon celery salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Sauce and Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons gochujang paste
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 spring onions
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
• Vegetable oil for deep frying (at least 1 liter/4 cups)

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Instructions

1. Immerse chicken strips in a zesty buttermilk mixture with aromatic seasonings, ensuring full coverage. Seal and refrigerate for deep flavor infusion, allowing at least 60 minutes of marination.
2. Prepare a low-temperature oven zone for maintaining crispy chicken’s warmth during cooking process.
3. Create a dynamic coating blend by thoroughly mixing dry ingredients, developing a robust and crunchy exterior layer.
4. Extract chicken pieces from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip away naturally. Meticulously coat each strip in seasoned mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a spacious skillet until it reaches optimal frying temperature, demonstrated by bread crumb reaction.
6. Carefully lower chicken strips into sizzling oil, working in strategic batches to maintain consistent temperature. Fry until achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring interior is perfectly cooked, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
7. Transfer freshly fried chicken to warming oven, preserving crispness and temperature.
8. Craft a glossy, complex sauce by combining gochujang, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and complementary oils. Bring mixture to vigorous boil, then reduce to gentle simmer until reaching ideal thickness.
9. Generously coat crispy chicken pieces with prepared sauce, ensuring complete and even distribution.
10. Elevate presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped spring onions, sprinkled sesame seeds, and a delicate dusting of chili flakes.

Notes

• Marinate chicken overnight for maximum flavor infusion and tender meat texture.
• Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for perfectly crispy exterior without burning.
• Pat chicken dry before coating to ensure the crispy breading adheres properly and creates a crunchy shell.
• Allow sauce to cool slightly before tossing chicken to prevent soggy breading and maintain crispiness.
• Choose a neutral oil with high smoke point like vegetable or canola for consistent frying results.
• Serve immediately after coating with sauce to enjoy the optimal balance of crunch and sticky glaze.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 700
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg