Korean fried chicken, or Yangnyeom chicken, has juicy breaded chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy glaze. It’s truly what dreams are made of! Gochujang paste gives it its classic spicy flavor, but the added honey and brown sugar tone it down enough that the whole family will love it. One bite, and you’ll be addicted!

Korean cuisine is delicious and full of flavor. It’s got all the spice, those zingy pickled vegetables, and, of course, all the tasty barbecued meats! For more Korean dishes, try these Korean short ribs, ground beef, and rice bowls, or Korean beef meal prep bowls.

Korean Fried Chicken and Sauce Ingredients

Gather these ingredients to create a perfectly crispy chicken with the most incredible spicy-sweet sauce! If you’re having trouble finding some items, your local Asian grocer is likely to have what you need. Scroll to the end of the post for exact measurements.

Fried Chicken

• Boneless Chicken Breasts: Use fresh chicken breast and cut into pieces about 3 inches in size. You can also use chicken thighs or bone-in chicken wings.
• Garlic Salt: Season the chicken pieces with a hint of garlic salt.
• Eggs: Whisked to make the coating stick.
• Cornstarch: Use this to give the chicken a crispy coating.
• Vegetable or Canola Oil for Frying: Heat the oil for frying until it’s nice and hot. Your chicken pieces will be soggy if the oil isn’t hot enough.

Spicy Gochujang Sauce

• Gochujang (Korean chili paste): This paste adds a fiery Korean twist to your sauce.
• Ketchup: Adds a hint of sweetness and tanginess.
• Honey and Brown Sugar: Both add sweetness and also help to tone down the spice.
• Rice Wine Vinegar: So the sauce has a little bit of acidity.
• Ginger Paste: Use ginger paste for a zesty kick.
• Sesame Oil: Another must-add ingredient, sesame oil adds the best nutty flavor.
• Soy Sauce: For a savory umami flavor. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake.
• Water: So you can adjust the consistency of the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): If you like spicy Korean fried chicken, add these to kick up the heat.
• Green Onion and Red Pepper Flakes (for garnish): Use these to add color and flavor when serving.

Korean Fried Chicken Recipe

Heat up that oil, and let’s get cooking! Making perfectly fried chicken is actually a lot easier than you’d think! This Korean fried chicken is a treat your whole family will enjoy.

To Fry the Chicken:

1. Heat Oil: Heat a large pot with oil over high heat. You can also deep fry the chicken using a deep fryer.
2. Cut and Season Chicken: Cut the chicken into 3-inch pieces and season with garlic salt.
3. Coat in Egg: Whisk the eggs together in a medium bowl, then add the seasoned chicken. Stir to coat with the eggs.
4. Add Cornstarch to Bowl: In another bowl, add the cornstarch to coat the chicken.
5. Coat in Cornstarch, Deep Fry: Dip one piece of the egg-coated chicken in the cornstarch. Shake off any excess batter and place into the pot of hot oil. Repeat these steps until the pot is full but not overcrowded. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes until fully cooked and crispy on the outside.
6. Drain: Carefully remove the fried chicken from the oil using a strainer. Place on a plate lined with a paper towel while you finish frying the remaining chicken. The paper towel will soak up any excess oil.

To Make the Korean Fried Chicken Sauce:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, add the gochujang, ketchup, honey, sugar, soy sauce, ginger paste, vinegar, sesame oil, water, and red pepper flakes. Then whisk to combine.
2. Simmer: Place the sauce mixture in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
3. Combine: Add the fried chicken to the saucepan and carefully toss to coat the chicken in the sauce.
4. Serve: Garnish with green onions and red pepper flakes before serving!

More Korean-Inspired Recipes

Dinner

Slow Cooker Korean Beef

4 hrs 10 mins

Beef

Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry

Beverages

Korean Strawberry Milk

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Asian

Korean Short Ribs

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