Korean Popcorn Chicken

Directions

  1. 1In a bowl, combine chicken with eggs, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and seasonings. Mix well and marinate as long as you wish (1 hour ideal, 1 min works).
  2. 2In a bowl, combine chicken with eggs, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and seasonings. Mix well and marinate as long as you wish (1 hour ideal, 1 min works).
  3. 3In a bowl, combine chicken with eggs, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and seasonings. Mix well and marinate as long as you wish (1 hour ideal, 1 min works).
  4. 4For frying: add the cornstarch and flour directly into the same bowl and mix until evenly coated and sticky.
  5. 5For frying: add the cornstarch and flour directly into the same bowl and mix until evenly coated and sticky.
  6. 6For frying: add the cornstarch and flour directly into the same bowl and mix until evenly coated and sticky.
  7. 7For air frying: do NOT add flour yet. You’ll coat it separately in step 2.
  8. 8For air frying: do NOT add flour yet. You’ll coat it separately in step 2.
  9. 9For air frying: do NOT add flour yet. You’ll coat it separately in step 2.
  10. 10For frying: skip this step and go to step 3.
  11. 11For frying: skip this step and go to step 3.
  12. 12For frying: skip this step and go to step 3.
  13. 13For air frying: in a new bowl, mix cornstarch and flour. Remove chicken from marinade then toss in dry ingredients until fully coated. Press lightly so it sticks.
  14. 14For air frying: in a new bowl, mix cornstarch and flour. Remove chicken from marinade then toss in dry ingredients until fully coated. Press lightly so it sticks.
  15. 15For air frying: in a new bowl, mix cornstarch and flour. Remove chicken from marinade then toss in dry ingredients until fully coated. Press lightly so it sticks.
  16. 16For frying: heat neutral oil to 350°F / 175°C. Fry in batches for 7–8 mins until golden and crispy, transfer to a rack.
  17. 17For frying: heat neutral oil to 350°F / 175°C. Fry in batches for 7–8 mins until golden and crispy, transfer to a rack.
  18. 18For frying: heat neutral oil to 350°F / 175°C. Fry in batches for 7–8 mins until golden and crispy, transfer to a rack.
  19. 19For air frying: oil the basket and spray/brush the chicken with oil. Cook at 375°F for 8 mins, flip, cook for 6–8 mins more until crispy and cooked through. Work in batches.
  20. 20For air frying: oil the basket and spray/brush the chicken with oil. Cook at 375°F for 8 mins, flip, cook for 6–8 mins more until crispy and cooked through. Work in batches.
  21. 21For air frying: oil the basket and spray/brush the chicken with oil. Cook at 375°F for 8 mins, flip, cook for 6–8 mins more until crispy and cooked through. Work in batches.
  22. 22In a pan over medium-low heat, combine gochujang, ketchup, sesame seeds, garlic, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and optional gochugaru. Bring to a simmer, add butter, stir until melted, remove from heat.
  23. 23In a pan over medium-low heat, combine gochujang, ketchup, sesame seeds, garlic, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and optional gochugaru. Bring to a simmer, add butter, stir until melted, remove from heat.
  24. 24In a pan over medium-low heat, combine gochujang, ketchup, sesame seeds, garlic, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and optional gochugaru. Bring to a simmer, add butter, stir until melted, remove from heat.
  25. 25Add the chicken directly to the sauce and toss OR in a mixing bowl, combine your desired amount of sauce with the chicken to control how saucy it gets.
  26. 26Add the chicken directly to the sauce and toss OR in a mixing bowl, combine your desired amount of sauce with the chicken to control how saucy it gets.
  27. 27Add the chicken directly to the sauce and toss OR in a mixing bowl, combine your desired amount of sauce with the chicken to control how saucy it gets.
  28. 28Serve over jasmine rice, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy :)
  29. 29Serve over jasmine rice, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy :)
  30. 30Serve over jasmine rice, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy :)

Ingredients

  • 2 lb chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 lb chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 lb chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp gochugaru (optional)
  • 1 tsp gochugaru (optional)
  • 1 tsp gochugaru (optional)
  • 0.25 cup cornstarch
  • 0.25 cup cornstarch
  • 0.25 cup cornstarch
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • Neutral oil, for frying
  • Neutral oil, for frying
  • Neutral oil, for frying
  • 1.5 tbsp gochujang
  • 1.5 tbsp gochujang
  • 1.5 tbsp gochujang
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 3 tbsp ketchup
  • 3 tbsp ketchup
  • 3 tbsp ketchup
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1.5 tbsp honey
  • 1.5 tbsp honey
  • 1.5 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp gochugaru (optional)
  • 1 tsp gochugaru (optional)
  • 1 tsp gochugaru (optional)
  • Sesame seeds
  • Sesame seeds
  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onions, sliced
  • Green onions, sliced
  • Green onions, sliced

Equipment

Air fryer (optional)PanRackMixing bowls

Tips

  • You can marinate the chicken for as long as you wish, with 1 hour being ideal but even 1 minute working.
  • This recipe can be made in an air fryer.
  • To control the sauciness, combine your desired amount of sauce with the chicken in a separate mixing bowl.