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The BEST Korean Fried Chicken. Double frying — in small batches — and a light coating of potato starch keep these wings irresistibly crispy and crunchy. A soy garlic sauce will leave you licking your fingers. Juicy chicken wings with an unbeatable crunch!
this recipe
Korean Fried Chicken (Dakgangjeong)
Korean Fried Chicken, also known as KFC, is a popular drinking food, snack, appetizer, or main dish from South Korea.
What makes Korean fried chicken so exciting and different? Unlike American fried chicken, the crunchy crust is thin and crisp. Instead of a thick batter made from buttermilk and flour, a thin potato starch coating creates an ultra-crisp, almost brittle coating.
Korean Fried Chicken also comes with a variety of sauce options. Whether you choose savory, sweet, spicy — or a combination — there’s sure to be an option for your palate.
Popular KFC flavors: Yangnyeom Chicken (gochujang-based sweet and spicy sauce), Cheese Snow (cheese powder), Dak Gangeong (soy sauce and garlic), Buldak (ultra-spicy), Honey Butter (sweet and savory), and plain.
My Korean fried chicken recipe is flavored with a sticky soy garlic glaze. Also known as Dak Gangeong, the sauce is lip-smackingly delicious, with lots of garlic and umami-rich soy sauce. Chili flakes provide subtle heat for a slightly spicy Korean fried chicken. And the corn syrup adds irresistible sweetness and crunch!
To make it at home, you’ll need to deep fry the chicken twice. A thin batter and the double-frying process render out the fat. The result is impossibly light and crunchy chicken. YUM!
Ingredients:
- Chicken Wings. I recommend a mixture of chicken wings and drummettes. Look for meaty pieces! *Can be subbed with chicken tenders or whole chicken cut into smaller pieces.
- Garlic Powder + Ginger Powder + Curry Powder. The dry seasoning marinates the chicken. The curry powder, especially, makes a subtle difference. Also removes the gamey smell of chicken.
- Potato Starch. A dry batter, in the form of potato starch, ensures the crispiest, crunchiest texture. Compared to regular all-purpose flour, potato starch produces a lighter, crispier, almost brittle texture. Look for potato starch at your local Asian grocery store. Corn Starch is an acceptable substitute.
- Corn Syrup. An essential ingredient for creating the hard, crispy coating that’s iconic for Korean fried chicken wings (also known as “candy” wings). I’ve tried subbing with maple syrup, agave, honey, and regular sugar and the texture doesn’t come out quite right. Corn syrup works like shellac to add sweetness and create a super crunchy coating.
- Chinese chili flakes. For heat. Different from Italian dried chili flakes, Chinese Chili Flakes are more vibrantly red, aromatic, and spicy.
- Soy sauce + rice vinegar. The sauce base. Don’t use low-sodium soy sauce – it won’t taste the same!
- Garlic + Ginger. The essential aromatics.
- Green Onions + Cilantro. An aromatic garnish is a classic, essential topping to KFC. Cuts through the greasy, heavy nature of fried chicken. For the traditional route, stick with only finely shredded green onion.
Instructions:
1. Marinate chicken wings. In a large bowl, add chicken wings, salt, garlic powder, ginger powder (ground ginger), and curry powder. Mix well and marinate overnight. (Or 30 minutes, if you’re short on time).
2. Add potato starch. Add right before frying to achieve that super crispy texture. That’s what makes it so crispy and crunchy. (You can substitute with corn starch but regular flour will NOT produce the same result.)
3. Deep fry the first time. Deep fry the chicken wings in hot oil (350F) until golden brown. Fry in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Transfer to a sheet pan. For the first frying, the chicken pieces should be golden and crispy looking.
4. Deep fry second time. To develop that crunchy crust, deep fry a second time. The second frying will result in dark, golden brown color and a crunchier coating.
5. Make the sweet + spicy sauce. Coat the chicken wings in the sauce. Garnish and serve. Enjoy!
PRO TIPS:
- Use a thermometer. For best results, set up a deep frying station. To make frying easier at home, use a cast iron Dutch oven with high walls so there’s no splatter and for even, stable heat. Clip on a candy thermometer to better gauge the oil temperature.
- Double-fry the chicken wings. Double-frying the chicken is essential for achieving the right overall texture. Deep fry in small batches and do not crowd the pan.
- Use oil with a high smoke point. Use oil with a high smoke point for best flavor and texture. I recommend grapeseed oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.
Serve with:
Classic sides served with KFC: Dongchimi (water radish kimchi) and Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). Make sure to serve with plenty of cold beer and Soju!
Great for game days, movie nights, and for eating with friends. A great snack, appetizer, side dish, or main meal.
FAQ:
Can I make KFC with regular chicken (not wings)?
Yes, Korean Fried Chicken can be made with any kind of chicken. For best flavor and texture, I recommend smaller-sized chicken with bones and skin. The skin and bone ensures extra juicy chicken. My recommendations:
- Chicken wings and drummettes
- Chicken thighs and breast (with skin and bone) cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
- Chicken drumsticks. Look for smaller ones!
If you prefer boneless, skinless chicken — I recommend chicken thighs. Chicken breast can also work but it can be dry. FYI, boneless skinless chicken won’t get as crispy.
I don’t recommend regular or large-sized chicken thighs and breasts. They are too big and won’t achieve the right texture.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, Korean Fried Chicken can be made several hours before serving and still remain crispy and crunchy. Serve at room temperature or reheat on a parchment-lined sheet pan at 350F until warm. Garnish and serve.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers at room temperature, loosely covered. Reheat in an air fryer or oven at 350F. Good for 1-2 days.
Or, for longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat in an air fryer or oven at 350F. Good for 3-5 days.
More Chicken Inspiration:
- Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken with Korean Magic BBQ Dust
- Air Fryer Honey Soy Chicken Wings
- Chicken Bulgogi (Dak Bulgogi)
- Spicy Braised Chicken (Dak Dori Tang)
- Korean Chicken Soup (Dak Gomtang)
The BEST Korean Fried Chicken (Dak Gangjeong)
The Subversive Table | Lis Lam
The BEST Korean Fried Chicken. Double frying — in small batches — and a light coating of potato starch keep these wings irresistibly crispy and crunchy. A soy garlic sauce will leave you licking your fingers. Juicy chicken wings with an unbeatable crunch!
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Marinating Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Party Food, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Korean
Equipment
candy thermometer
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Cooling Rack + Sheet Pan
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients:
- 2 lb chicken wings
- 11/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 1/2 tsp curry powder
Frying ingredients:
- 1/2 cup potato starch or corn starch
Sauce ingredients:
- 1/4 cup neutral oil (Peanut or Vegetable oil)
- 2-3 Tbsp Chinese chile flakes from Asian Grocer (depending on taste)
- 1 inch ginger minced
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
Garnish:
- sesame seeds
- 2 green onion chopped
- 2 Tbsp cilantro chopped
Instructions
Instructions:
Marinate chicken. Place chicken wings in a large bowl. Add garlic, curry powder, and salt. Mix throughly. Cover and refrigerate, preferably overnight. If cooking right away, do not refrigerate but keep at room temperature.
Add potato starch. Right before frying, add potato starch and mix thoroughly with hands. The potato starch should stick to the chicken wings in a thin coating. Feel free to pat the starch onto the chicken wings firmly with hands.
Prepare for deep frying:
Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Set aside.
Attach a thermometer to the side of a deep, cast iron Dutch oven. Another alternative is a regular pot with high sides. Add 2-3 inches of cooking oil with a high smoking point. (I use vegetable oil.) The goal is to add enough oil for the chicken wings to float in the pot and not stick to the bottom.
Deep fry 1st time. Wait until the oil temperature reaches 380F. Then, add the chicken wings in batches until golden and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. The temperature will initially dip but keep the oil temperature at 350F for the rest of the cooking time. Drain wings and set aside.
Deep fry 2nd time. The temperature of the oil will not dip down as much as the first fry. Fry the (already-fried) chicken wings in batches until they are darker and golden-brown in color, about 8-10 minutes per batch, at 350F. The wings are done when they look shrunken and compacted with a very crispy coating. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the sauce:
Add corn syrup, soy sauce, and rice vinegar in a measuring cup. Mix throughly with a spoon and set aside.
Prepare the minced garlic and ginger. Set aside.
Make glaze/sauce. Heat a wok or deep stock pot over medium-high heat and add oil. (I use oil from deep frying but be careful, it's hot.) When hot but not smoking, add chili flakes, garlic, and ginger. Mix around with a spatula or wooden spoon until fragrant and crispy looking, about 1 minute.
Add the corn syrup mixture and mix until the sauce bubbles vigorously, about 2-4 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Add the chicken wings. Transfer deep fried chicken wings to the wok, directly on top of the sauce. Toss with a spatula or wooden spoon until each wing is coated in sauce.
Garnish and serve. Transfer to a platter and garnish with sesame seeds and green onion and/or cilantro Serve with ice cold beer!
Notes
Korean Fried Chicken can be made with regular chicken. For best flavor and texture, I recommend smaller-sized chicken with bones and skin. The smaller pieces and inclusion of skin and bone will ensure extra juicy and crispy fried chicken. My recommendations:
- Chicken wings and drummettes
- Chicken thighs and breast (with skin and bone) cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
- Chicken drumsticks. Look for smaller ones!
If you prefer boneless, skinless chicken — I recommend chicken thighs. Chicken breast can also work but it can be dry. FYI, boneless skinless chicken won’t get as crispy.
I don’t recommend regular or large-sized chicken thighs as they are too large.
Nutrition
Serving: 0gCalories: 608kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 25gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 3830mgPotassium: 471mgFiber: 2gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 256IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Dak Gangeong, Korean Fried Chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Tags
chicken comfort food Dairy-free Gluten Free
25 Comments
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Liz
February 28, 2021 at 12:09 AM ·Reply
First time I’ve ever made Korean fried chicken & it was better than any I’ve had at restaurants. Corn syrup not readily available in Australia so I used rice syrup instead. So delicious & will make again & again. Liz
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Krista
February 12, 2021 at 11:54 AM ·Reply
My BF and I made this a few weeks back and about lost our minds over it. It’s too good for this world. I cooked the sauce too long so we joked that these were candy coated wings but even then, they blew our minds. Add the presentation with that vibrant green cilantro and crunchy white sesame? Seriously, I feel like I’m in a dream just staring at it. It’s my birthday this weekend, and guess what we’re making to celebrate?
As always, thank you for sharing your amazing recipes with us, Lis! Our lives are richer for it! -
Josh
February 1, 2021 at 8:35 PM ·Reply
Love this recipe! The crispiness + sticky sauciness here to me makes the perfect fried chicken 🙂 . -
tazret
December 22, 2020 at 3:58 AM ·Reply
Is radically different ,reflecting an Asian frying technique that renders out the fat in the skin, transforming it into a thin ,crackly and almost transparent crust.
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lee
July 10, 2020 at 7:55 AM ·Reply
is the wings skinned? or do you cook it with the skin on?
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thesubversivetable
July 10, 2020 at 11:57 AM ·Reply
The wings are not skinned. I’ve actually never seen skinned wings in a supermarket before!
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Holly
April 6, 2020 at 9:47 AM ·Reply
these were AWESOME! definitely a crowd pleaser. Any way that you could fry them and then freeze them so u can make large batches a head of time just without the sauce? or will it lose its crunchiness. thanks!!
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thesubversivetable
April 6, 2020 at 9:53 AM ·Reply
I have never tried frying and then freezing them ahead of time. But let me know if you find success with this method. If I want to make them ahead of time, I’ll do the first fry the day before. Then on the day of, I’ll do the second fry and the sauce. Hope this helps and good luck!
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Laura Jill
November 9, 2019 at 6:30 PM ·Reply
Would this work as chicken tenders?
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thesubversivetable
November 9, 2019 at 10:55 PM ·Reply
Hi! Yes, it should work for chicken tenders but I don’t think you’ll need to cook as long. I’ve never tried it this way so the only danger is that the wings will dry out faster than with the bone and skin that come with the wings. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
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Chanelle
November 1, 2019 at 12:28 PM ·Reply
For the corn syrup which is better light or dark??? I can’t wait to make this recipe.
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thesubversivetable
November 1, 2019 at 2:39 PM ·Reply
I haven’t seen the two variations but I imagine light would work better?
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LORI B
October 27, 2019 at 12:36 PM ·Reply
These are the best wings EVER! We have brought them to our offices and everyone loves them! Thanks for sharing!
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thesubversivetable
October 27, 2019 at 11:50 PM ·Reply
Thank you! So happy to hear you enjoyed them!!
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Lori
September 1, 2019 at 6:30 PM ·Reply
This is delicious! I just made it and it came out fabulous! Thank you!
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thesubversivetable
November 11, 2019 at 1:35 PM ·Reply
Thanks so much!!! ❤️
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Min Han
February 3, 2019 at 9:02 AM ·Reply
this looks amazing lis!! if i am making this for kids who do not like any spice i can just remove the chili flakes right?
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thesubversivetable
February 3, 2019 at 2:06 PM ·Reply
Yes, that works too! I make it with two Tbsp chili flakes and all my kids eat it. You can even experiment with 1 Tbsp, depending on the spicyness of the chili flakes 😁
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