Korean Spicy Fried Chicken Wings

Spicy Korean Chicken (Ayam Goreng Korea)

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 1/2 kg chicken wings and thighs, cut into pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp ground ginger (or minced ginger)
• 1 tbsp five-spice powder
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp rice flour
• 250 ml cooking oil

For the Sauce:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cm ginger, minced
• 3 tbsp ketchup
• 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 2-3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1-2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:

Preparing the Chicken:

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with minced garlic, garlic powder, ground ginger, and five-spice powder. Mix well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour for the flavors to meld. For best results, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.

2. Coating the Chicken:
   After marinating, coat the chicken pieces with a mixture of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, and rice flour. Ensure each piece is evenly covered with the flour mixture.

3. Frying the Chicken:
   Heat the cooking oil in a deep frying pan or pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the coated chicken pieces. Fry until they are golden brown and crispy, approximately 8-10 minutes. Remove the chicken and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Preparing the Sauce:

4. Cooking the Sauce:
   In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing until fragrant.

5. Adding the Sauce Ingredients:
   Stir in the ketchup, gochujang, granulated sugar, and honey. Taste and adjust the sweetness or spiciness to your preference. Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.

6. Final Touches:
   Add the apple cider vinegar and sesame oil to the sauce. Stir well to combine and then turn off the heat. Sprinkle in the toasted sesame seeds, mixing them into the sauce evenly.

Combining and Serving:

7. Tossing the Chicken:
   Add the fried chicken pieces to the pan with the sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the spicy sauce.

8. Serving:
   Transfer the spicy Korean chicken to a serving plate. Garnish with additional sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

This Spicy Korean Chicken (Ayam Goreng Korea) is a deliciously bold and flavorful dish that brings a taste of Korea right to your kitchen. Perfectly crispy chicken pieces coated in a savory and sweet sauce make for an irresistible meal that will surely impress your family and friends. Enjoy this dish as a main course or as an appetizer for a delightful culinary experience.