Sweet & Savory Korean Fried Chicken Sauce
Secret Recipe: Delicious Korean Fried Chicken Sauce Made Easy at Home!
Create the perfect Korean fried chicken sauce right in your kitchen! This sauce is not overly spicy, boasting a delightful sweetness that makes it a huge hit with kids. I’ll share my secret ingredients and a detailed video tutorial on how to make it. It’s fantastic with homemade fried chicken (made in an air fryer, oven, or deep fryer) or even store-bought chicken nuggets for a quick and tasty meal.
Main Ingredients
- 25 pieces Chicken Nuggets
- 10g Pistachios (for garnish)
Special Korean Fried Chicken Sauce
- 5 Tbsp Ketchup (approx. 75ml)
- 1 Tbsp Strawberry Jam (approx. 15ml)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste, approx. 15ml)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 15ml)
- 2 Tbsp Plum Extract/Syrup (approx. 30ml)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 15g)
- 3 Tbsp Sugar (approx. 30g)
- 4 Tbsp Corn Syrup or Rice Syrup (approx. 40ml)
- 5 Tbsp Ketchup (approx. 75ml)
- 1 Tbsp Strawberry Jam (approx. 15ml)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste, approx. 15ml)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 15ml)
- 2 Tbsp Plum Extract/Syrup (approx. 30ml)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 15g)
- 3 Tbsp Sugar (approx. 30g)
- 4 Tbsp Corn Syrup or Rice Syrup (approx. 40ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
01. Frying the Chicken Nuggets to Crispy Perfection: Pour enough cooking oil into a pot to fully submerge the frozen chicken nuggets. Heat the oil over medium heat to 170-180°C (338-356°F). To check if the oil is ready, drop a small piece of the nugget’s coating into the oil. If it sinks for a moment and then floats up after about 3 seconds, the oil is at the perfect temperature for frying.
Step 2
Carefully add the 25 frozen chicken nuggets to the hot oil. Fry them for about 3 minutes over medium heat. Be mindful that adding too many nuggets at once can lower the oil temperature significantly. Adjust the frying time as needed, ensuring they turn a beautiful golden brown all over. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Step 3
Once the nuggets are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon or strainer. Drain any excess oil. Place them on a wire rack over paper towels to allow further oil to drip off. This step helps maintain their crispiness.
Step 4
02. Making the Perfect Korean Fried Chicken Sauce: In a bowl, combine 5 Tbsp ketchup, 1 Tbsp strawberry jam, 1 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp plum extract, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 3 Tbsp sugar, and 4 Tbsp corn syrup. Whisk everything together with a whisk or spoon until smooth and well combined. Ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly mixed is key to a delicious sauce.
Step 5
03. Simmering the Sauce to Perfect Consistency: Add 2 Tbsp of cooking oil to a frying pan. Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the pan. It’s best to add the sauce to a non-preheated pan to prevent it from scorching.
Step 6
Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly to combine the oil and sauce. Once the sauce begins to bubble vigorously, reduce the heat to low. Continue to simmer gently for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan. Patience during this simmering phase will yield a glossy and flavorful sauce.
Step 7
Finally, roughly chop or crush 10g of pistachios. Sprinkle them over the sauce. This adds a delightful nutty flavor and texture, completing your homemade Korean fried chicken sauce! Feel free to substitute with other nuts like walnuts or almonds if preferred.
Step 8
04. Enjoy ‘Dipping’ Style (Jjig-meok): Dip your perfectly fried chicken nuggets into the warm sauce as desired. The sauce has a rich sweetness, similar to popular store-bought versions, making it a big hit with children. If you prefer less sweetness, feel free to adjust the sugar and syrup quantities. You can also thread nuggets onto skewers and brush them with the sauce for a fun presentation.
Step 9
05. Enjoy ‘Coating’ Style (Bu-meok): This method is recommended if you’re using freshly fried chicken pieces. In a large bowl, combine your fried chicken with the prepared sauce. Toss gently until all the chicken pieces are evenly coated. This is also wonderful served over rice as a delicious chicken dish.
