Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs chicken wings or boneless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup cornstarch (or potato starch)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup cold water
- Vegetable oil (for deep frying)
For the Sweet & Spicy Sauce:
- 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp cornstarch (for thickening)
For Garnish:
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 green onions (chopped)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- In a bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Slowly add cold water, stirring until a thick batter forms.
- Toss the chicken pieces in the batter until fully coated.
Step 2: First Fry for a Crispy Coating
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the chicken in batches for 5-6 minutes until light golden brown.
- Remove and let it drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
Step 3: Second Fry for Extra Crunch
- Increase the oil temperature to 375°F (190°C).
- Fry the chicken a second time for 2-3 minutes until deep golden brown and extra crispy.
- Remove and let it rest while preparing the sauce.
Step 4: Make the Sweet & Spicy Sauce
- In a pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in gochujang, honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, and water.
- Simmer for 2 minutes, then add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) to thicken.
Step 5: Coat the Chicken
- Add the crispy fried chicken to the sauce and toss until fully coated.
- Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve hot with steamed rice, pickled radish, or a cold beer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 pieces of chicken
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g