Introduction
If you’re looking for a deliciously crispy chicken recipe with a twist, this dish combines the satisfying crunch of panko breadcrumbs with the unique flavor of gochujang. Paired with a savory gochujang butter and a store-bought Yum Yum sauce for dipping, this meal is sure to impress.
Detailed Ingredients with Measures
Crispy Chicken:
1 lb. chicken breasts
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 tablespoon gochujang sauce
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Avocado oil spray
Gochujang Butter:
4 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, grated
1 1/2 tablespoons gochujang sauce
Salt to taste
Extras:
Store-bought Yum Yum sauce for dipping
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Yield
4 servings
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut each chicken breast into thinner pieces. Start by removing the tenderloin, then slice the remaining breast horizontally into halves or thirds, depending on thickness. Season the chicken pieces with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
2. Set Up Breading Stations: Prepare three separate bowls: Bowl 1 for flour, Bowl 2 for whisking together eggs and gochujang sauce, and Bowl 3 for panko breadcrumbs. Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of salt to both the flour and panko bowls.
3. Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Press into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating on both sides.
4. Cook the Chicken: Lightly spray each breaded chicken piece with avocado oil. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy.
5. Prepare the Gochujang Butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the grated garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant. Stir in the gochujang sauce until well combined. Season with salt to taste.
6. Assemble and Serve: Brush the cooked chicken pieces with the gochujang butter sauce. Serve with Yum Yum sauce for dipping.
Notes: For alternative cooking methods, you can bake in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 14-18 minutes, flipping halfway through and broiling at the end for extra crispiness. Alternatively, you can shallow fry in a pan with neutral oil over medium heat until crispy and cooked through. Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
Cut each chicken breast into thinner pieces. Start by removing the tenderloin, then slice the remaining breast horizontally into halves or thirds, depending on thickness. Season the chicken pieces with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
Set Up Breading Stations:
Prepare three separate bowls:
– Bowl 1: Flour.
– Bowl 2: Whisk together eggs and gochujang sauce.
– Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs.
Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of salt to both the flour and panko bowls.
Bread the Chicken:
Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Press into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating on both sides.
Cook the Chicken:
Lightly spray each breaded chicken piece with avocado oil. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden and crispy.
Prepare the Gochujang Butter:
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the grated garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant. Stir in the gochujang sauce until well combined. Season with salt to taste.
Assemble and Serve:
Brush the cooked chicken pieces with the gochujang butter sauce. Serve with Yum Yum sauce for dipping.
Notes
Alternative Cooking Methods:
– Bake in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 14-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Broil at the end for extra crispiness.
– Shallow fry in a pan with neutral oil over medium heat until crispy and cooked through.
Cooking Safety:
Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Cook techniques
Preparing the Chicken
Cut the chicken breasts into thinner pieces for even cooking. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to enhance the flavor.
Setting Up Breading Stations
Create three bowls for the breading process: one with flour, one with a whisked mixture of eggs and gochujang sauce, and a third with panko breadcrumbs. Adding salt to the flour and panko enhances the overall taste.
Breading the Chicken
From the flour to the breadcrumbs, follow a dredging technique. Ensure each chicken piece is evenly coated to achieve a crispy texture when cooked.
Cooking the Chicken
Using an air fryer, spray the breaded chicken with avocado oil and cook at two different temperatures: 375°F for 5 minutes, followed by increasing to 400°F until golden and crispy, ensuring proper cooking throughout.
Preparing the Gochujang Butter
Melt butter and add grated garlic to infuse flavor. Stir in gochujang sauce and season with salt to create a rich, spicy butter to brush over the chicken.
Assembling and Serving
After cooking, brush the chicken with the gochujang butter and serve with Yum Yum sauce for a delightful dipping option.
FAQ
Can I use other types of chicken instead of breasts?
Yes, you can use chicken thighs or tenders if you prefer a different texture and flavor.
What can I serve with crispy chicken?
Side dishes such as steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad pair well with the crispy chicken.
How can I make the chicken extra crispy?
Ensure the chicken is panko-coated thoroughly and consider shallow frying for enhanced crispiness.
What if I don’t have gochujang sauce?
You can substitute it with sriracha or another chili paste, though the flavor profile will be different.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover crispy chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for best results.
Conclusion
This crispy chicken recipe offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors, enhanced by the spicy and savory gochujang butter. Perfectly air-fried for a healthier twist, it pairs wonderfully with Yum Yum sauce for dipping, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
More recipes suggestions and combination
Crispy Chicken Tacos
Use the crispy chicken as a filling for tacos, topped with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a drizzle of lime crema.
Gochujang Chicken Sandwich
Serve the crispy chicken on a bun with crunchy slaw and a spread of gochujang butter for a spicy twist on a classic sandwich.
Pasta with Gochujang Sauce
Toss cooked pasta with gochujang butter sauce, grilled vegetables, and crispy chicken for a hearty, flavorful meal.
Rice Bowl
Create a rice bowl by layering cooked rice, crispy chicken, steamed vegetables, and drizzle with Yum Yum sauce and gochujang butter for a delicious fusion dish.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Mix cooked quinoa, diced crispy chicken, black beans, and spices, then stuff into halved bell peppers and bake until tender for a nutritious meal.
Chicken Salad
Chop the crispy chicken and mix it with arugula, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and a dressing of gochujang butter for a spicy twist on a classic salad.
