Korean Popcorn Chicken
- 35 min
- Serves 4
- 16 ingredients
15 minutes to prep, 20 to cook. Crispy Korean-style popcorn chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce, perfect for snacking or as a side dish.
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Method
Prepare the chicken by cutting it into 1-inch dice.
In a bowl, whisk together the egg, flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder.
Add the chicken to the bowl and toss to coat with the egg mixture.
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or a deep fryer to 350°F.
Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per batch.
Drain the chicken on paper towels.
For the sauce, whisk together the ketchup, soy sauce, sesame oil, gochujang, rice vinegar, and brown sugar in a saucepan.
Add the butter to the sauce and whisk until melted over low heat.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens slightly.
Serve the fried chicken with the sauce, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired.
Tips while you cook
- Uniform chicken pieces
- Cut the chicken into 1‑inch dice before coating.
- Maintain oil temperature
- Heat vegetable oil to 350°F and fry the chicken in batches.
- Combine sauce before butter
- Whisk all sauce ingredients together, then add butter and melt over low heat.
- Brief sauce simmer
- Simmer the sauce for 2‑3 minutes until it thickens slightly before serving.
Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.
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Zach Olson made this.
The recipe comes from Zach Olson’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.
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Popcorn chicken, 5 ways
Four creators posted their own. Every one is built on chicken and egg.
- Zach Olson35 min16 ingr.Deep-fried
- Jeremy30 min21 ingr.Only this one uses baking powder
- Donaldo Estevam26 min8 ingr.Only this one uses mustard and chives
- Donaldo Estevam26 min10 ingr.Only this one uses orange marmalade and ground ginger
- Ryan Miller40 min19 ingr.Only this one uses potato starch and white rice
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