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+ servings

Korean Popcorn Chicken

Crispy, flavorful popcorn chicken coated in a spicy Korean sauce, perfect for snacking or as an appetizer.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Korean
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1 pound boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup buttermilk for marinating
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour for coating
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
Korean Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons gochujang Korean chili paste
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds for garnish
  • 2 scallions sliced for garnish

Method
 

Marinate Chicken
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. In another bowl, mix together flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Prepare the Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and minced garlic until smooth.
Fry the Chicken
  1. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, shaking off excess flour.
  3. Fry chicken in batches for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Combine and Serve
  1. In a large bowl, toss the fried chicken with the prepared sauce until well coated.
  2. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 5g

Notes

For extra crunch, double fry the chicken by frying it a second time for 1-2 minutes after the initial fry.

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