Crispy crunchy chicken with a gochujang butter sauce! My husband LOVES this (and me too) and we leave some pieces plain for our kids! Everybody wins!
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This Sauce, This Crunch… There’s No Way This Isn’t Good.
Guess what’s for dinner tonight?
It starts with crispy chicken and ends with gochujang butter sauce. Wait, no, it ends with yum yum sauce, after the other sauce, because two sauces is better than one.
This was a huge win in our house this last month. My daughters have a real appreciation of crispy chicken (dipped in ketchup). And my husband and I closed our eyes in joy eating our own double-sauced, crispy-spicy bites.
Our friends down the hall at our office were popping their heads in all day: Is that chicken ready yet? Can we have another plate of it? When will you publish that recipe?
I am tempted to offer an explanation for why this isn’t a “full meal” recipe – but that’s kind of the point. It’s Japanese chicken katsu meets Korean flavor meets finger-licking wings at Applebees, all in a snacky, basic dinner type way.
I sauce it, slice it, plop onto a plate, and go to town.
But it would also be great as a rice bowl, sandwich, or salad topper!
Important: if the thought of breading the chicken is making your head spin, do the same thing but with a frozen, store-bought crispy chicken filet. It’s hard to go wrong here.
Hope you love this!
This recipe is part of our SOS series – click here for the full collection of easy dinner recipes!
Crispy Gochujang Chicken
Total Time:
35 minutesYield:
4 servings 1x
Description
Crispy crunchy chicken with a gochujang butter sauce! This is just so good. Dipped in sauce, served with a salad, or eaten straight on its own!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Crispy Chicken
Gochujang Butter
Extras
Instructions
- Chicken: Cut each chicken breast into thinner pieces. Start by cutting the tenderloin piece off the back. Then slice the breast in half horizontally, or into thirds if it’s a very thick piece. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Bowls: Prep three bowls for your breading. 1: the flour. 2: the eggs and gochujang. 3: the panko. Season the panko and flour bowls with an extra 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Breading: Dip the chicken in the flour; shake off excess. Dip into the egg mixture; let excess drip off. Press into the panko on both sides until coated.
- Cook: Spray each chicken piece with avocado oil to coat the top surface. Air fry at 375 degrees for 5 minutes, and then at 400 degrees for another 2-3 minutes to get it golden. (Alternate cooking methods in the notes.)
- Sauce: Whisk the melted butter, gochujang, and grated garlic in a small bowl. Use a brush to coat each piece of crispy chicken with sauce.
- Finish: Slice the chicken up and bring it out to the table on a platter or just directly on the cutting board. Serve it with whatever veggies you have in the fridge. I LOVE this dipped in yum yum sauce!
Equipment
Air Fryer
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Notes
Alternate cooking methods: Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 14-18 minutes, flipping halfway (broiling towards the end for extra golden color). Or fry in a shallow layer of neutral cooking oil, at medium heat, until crispy and cooked through. Internal temp of the chicken should be 165 degrees.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: crispy chicken cutlets, chicken katsu, crispy chicken, air fryer chicken
Frequently Asked Questions For This Recipe
How can I make the chicken in the oven?
Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes (9 minutes per side).
Can I fry the chicken instead?
Yep! Heat an inch of avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add a drop of water; if it sizzles, it’s ready to add the chicken. Place the chicken in the oil and fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and you get an internal temp of 160 degrees.
Can I use a different type of oil?
If you don’t have avocado oil spray for the air fryer, a little drizzle of oil oil over the top will also work! But I like a spritz best for this because you can evenly coat the panko for the most even browning.
Can I make this gluten-free?
I haven’t tried it personally, but I would imagine you coud use GF flour and GF breadcrumbs and it should still work!
How do you know when the chicken is done?
The chicken should be cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees. I like to use a meat thermometer to cook these perfectly! Here’s the one I use. (affiliate link)
Three Recipes To Eat With This Chicken
**Crispy Chicken with Spicy Gochujang Sauce: A Flavor-Packed Fusion Delight**
If you’re a fan of bold flavors and crave the perfect balance between crispy texture and spicy heat, then Crispy Chicken with Spicy Gochujang Sauce is a dish that deserves a spot on your culinary radar. This mouthwatering fusion combines the satisfying crunch of fried chicken with the complex, umami-rich heat of Korea’s beloved gochujang sauce. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this dish is sure to impress.
—
### What is Gochujang?
Gochujang (고추장) is a traditional Korean fermented chili paste made from red chili powder (gochugaru), glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. It has a thick, sticky consistency and a flavor profile that’s simultaneously spicy, sweet, and savory. Gochujang is a staple in Korean cuisine, used in dishes like bibimbap, tteokbokki, and various stews and marinades.
—
### The Appeal of Crispy Chicken
Crispy chicken is universally loved for its golden-brown exterior and juicy interior. The contrast in textures—crunchy outside and tender inside—makes it an ideal base for bold sauces. In this dish, the chicken is typically double-fried or coated in a cornstarch-based batter to achieve maximum crunch that holds up even after being tossed in sauce.
—
### Ingredients Overview
Here’s what you’ll need to make this flavorful dish:
**For the Chicken:**
– Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (thighs preferred for juiciness)
– Salt and pepper
– Garlic powder
– Cornstarch or potato starch (for extra crispiness)
– All-purpose flour
– Eggs
– Oil for deep frying (vegetable or canola oil)
**For the Spicy Gochujang Sauce:**
– Gochujang paste
– Soy sauce
– Rice vinegar
– Honey or brown sugar
– Garlic (minced)
– Ginger (optional)
– Sesame oil
– Water (to thin the sauce if needed)
– Toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions for garnish
—
### Cooking Instructions
**1. Prepare the Chicken:**
– Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
– Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
– Dredge the chicken in a mixture of flour and cornstarch, dip in beaten eggs, then coat again in the dry mixture for extra crunch.
**2. Fry the Chicken:**
– Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C).
– Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
– For extra crispiness, let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then fry again for 1–2 minutes.
**3. Make the Gochujang Sauce:**
– In a saucepan over medium heat, combine gochujang, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame oil.
– Stir until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Adjust sweetness or heat to taste.
**4. Toss and Serve:**
– In a large bowl, toss the crispy chicken with the warm gochujang sauce until evenly coated.
– Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
– Serve immediately with steamed rice, pickled vegetables, or a fresh salad.
—
### Tips for Success
– **Double Frying:** This technique ensures the chicken stays crispy even after being sauced.
– **Balance the Sauce:** Gochujang can be quite spicy, so adjust the sweetness and acidity to suit your taste.
– **Use Thighs:** Chicken thighs are more forgiving and stay juicier than breasts during frying.
—
### Variations and Serving Ideas
– **Korean Fried Chicken Style:** Add a splash of corn syrup to the sauce for a glossy finish, similar to Korean fried chicken.
– **Make it a Sandwich:** Serve the crispy chicken on a toasted bun with slaw and extra sauce for a spicy chicken sandwich.
– **Vegetarian Option:** Substitute chicken with tofu or cauliflower for a plant-based version.
—
### Final Thoughts
Crispy Chicken with Spicy Gochujang Sauce is a delicious example of how global flavors can come together in perfect harmony. The dish offers a satisfying crunch, a fiery kick, and a depth of flavor that keeps you coming back for more. Whether you’re exploring Korean cuisine or simply looking to spice up your dinner routine, this dish is a must-try.
So grab your apron, heat up the oil, and get ready to enjoy a crispy, spicy, and utterly irresistible meal!