Boneless Dakbokkeumtang: Spicy and Sweet Bites
Easy-to-eat boneless chicken stew
I made this dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken stew) with bite-sized boneless chicken thighs specifically for my husband, who always insists on boneless chicken, even when ordering takeout. This recipe offers tender chicken pieces coated in a flavorful, sweet, and spicy sauce, complemented by soft sweet potatoes and onions, making it a satisfying meal for the whole family.
Main Ingredients- 8 boneless chicken thighs (palm-sized)
- 1 sweet potato (medium-sized, e.g., orange sweet potato or Japanese sweet potato)
- 1 onion (medium-sized)
- A small bunch of green onions
- 400ml water
Seasoning Mix- 4 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp jin-ganjang (Korean soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of ginger powder
- A pinch of black pepper
- 4 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp jin-ganjang (Korean soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of ginger powder
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the boneless chicken thighs. Rinse the palm-sized chicken thighs thoroughly. Then, cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm each. If you are sensitive to the smell of chicken, you can soak the chicken pieces in cold water for about 10 minutes to remove any excess blood, which will help reduce any gamey odor.
Step 2
Next, prepare the vegetables and sweet potato. Wash the sweet potato thoroughly to remove any dirt from the skin, then peel and cut it into cubes similar in size to the chicken pieces, or into bite-sized pieces. Peel and chop the onion into similar-sized pieces. Wash the green onions and chop them finely; these will be used as a garnish at the end.
Step 3
Let’s make the essential seasoning mix for a delicious dakbokkeumtang! In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp jin-ganjang, 1 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, a pinch of ginger powder, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything well until there are no lumps. You can adjust the amount of chili powder or soy sauce to suit your taste for the desired consistency and flavor.
Step 4
Now it’s time to combine all the ingredients in a pot and mix them with the seasoning. Place the prepared chicken thighs, cubed sweet potato, and chopped onion into a wide pot. Pour in 400ml of water. Add all of the prepared seasoning mix. Before placing the pot on the stove, use your hands or a spatula to gently mix all the ingredients and the seasoning evenly. This ensures the flavors will penetrate the ingredients well. You can start cooking immediately after this step.
