Sweet and Spicy Korean Chicken

Sweet and spicy Korean chicken, often referred to as “Yangnyeom Chicken,” is a popular Korean fried chicken dish known for its bold flavors. Here’s a recipe to make sweet and spicy Korean chicken at home:

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces (wings, drumettes, or boneless chicken chunks)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup cornstarch
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Sweet and Spicy Sauce:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   • Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
   • Place the cornstarch in a shallow dish.
   • Coat each chicken piece evenly with the cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
2. Heat the Oil:
   • In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature.
3. Fry the Chicken:
   • Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
   • Fry the chicken until it’s golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces.
   • Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
4. Make the Sweet and Spicy Sauce:
   • In a saucepan, combine the ketchup, gochujang, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes.
   • Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and becomes glossy. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
5. Coat the Chicken:
   • Place the fried chicken in a large mixing bowl.
   • Pour the sweet and spicy sauce over the chicken and toss to coat the chicken pieces evenly with the sauce.
6. Garnish and Serve:
   • Transfer the coated chicken to a serving platter.
   • Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
   • Serve your sweet and spicy Korean chicken hot, either as an appetizer or as a main dish with steamed rice or Korean-style pickled radishes.

Enjoy your homemade sweet and spicy Korean chicken, which combines crispy fried chicken with a deliciously bold and flavorful sauce.