Description
A flavorful and spicy Korean Chicken dish featuring crispy chicken strips tossed in a homemade gochujang-based sauce. Perfectly balanced with sweet honey and brown sugar, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic and sesame oil, this recipe offers a delicious Korean-inspired meal that can be quickly prepared using frozen or homemade chicken strips.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound frozen crispy chicken strips (or make chicken from scratch; see note 1)
- Cooked rice (optional, for serving)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 3-1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 cup gochujang sauce (see note 2)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use regular, not lite)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- Thinly sliced green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Prepare the chicken strips according to the package directions if using frozen crispy chicken strips. The preferred method is air frying, which takes about 11 to 12 minutes until crispy. If making chicken from scratch, follow note 1 for guidance. Once cooked, let the chicken cool slightly.
- Cut Chicken: After cooling, cut the chicken strips into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl in preparation for tossing with the sauce.
- Prepare Sauce Base: While the chicken cooks, heat a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the toasted sesame oil. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Build Sauce: To the garlic and sesame oil, add ketchup, gochujang sauce, honey, light brown sugar, and soy sauce. Stir the mixture continuously until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Adjust Flavors: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more gochujang to increase heat or a small pinch of salt if necessary to balance sweetness and saltiness.
- Toss with Chicken and Serve: Pour the desired amount of sauce over the cooked chicken pieces and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly. Serve immediately, ideally over cooked rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Note 1: For making chicken from scratch, you can coat chicken strips with flour or cornstarch and fry or bake until crispy before tossing with the sauce.
- Note 2: Gochujang sauce is a Korean red chili paste available in Asian grocery stores or online; it adds authentic heat and flavor.
- You can use an air fryer for cooking frozen chicken strips to achieve maximum crispiness.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week and reheated gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
