Crispy Korean-style fried chicken, often called Korean Fried Chicken (KFC).
Ingredients:
For the chicken:
1 kg (2.2 lbs) chicken wings or drumsticks
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg, beaten
1 cup cold water (adjust as needed)
Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
For the sauce:
1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp honey or sugar
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp water
1 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
Green onions (scallions), chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken:
Clean and pat dry the chicken pieces. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and baking powder.
Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten egg, then coat them evenly with the flour mixture. Let them rest for 10-15 minutes so the coating sticks.
Fry the Chicken:
Heat oil in a large pan or deep fryer to 180°C (350°F). Carefully drop the chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in batches. Fry until golden and crispy, about 8-10 minutes per batch.
Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
Make the Sauce:
In a saucepan, combine gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, ketchup, minced garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and water.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
Coat the Chicken:
Toss the fried chicken pieces in the sauce until they are evenly coated.
Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the chicken before serving. Serve immediately for maximum crispiness.
Tips:
For an extra crispy texture, double-fry the chicken. After the first fry, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then fry again for 1-2 minutes.
Adjust the heat level by adding more or less gochujang.
If you want a slightly sweet flavor, increase the honey or sugar to your liking.