Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Korean Fried Chicken:
- 1 lb 450g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk or substitute with regular milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Korean Fried Chicken Sauce:
- 1/4 cup gochujang Korean red pepper paste
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ginger minced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
For the Bao Buns:
- Store-bought frozen bao buns or use a bao bun recipe.
For Garnish:
- Sliced cucumber
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
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Place the bite-sized chicken pieces in a bowl and pour buttermilk over them. Allow them to marinate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour, or even overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
Prepare the Korean Fried Chicken Sauce:
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In a small saucepan, combine gochujang, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and sesame oil. Heat over low-medium heat, stirring constantly until well combined and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
Coat and Fry the Chicken:
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In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
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Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C).
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Drain the marinated chicken pieces from the buttermilk.
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Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture until well coated.
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Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Ensure the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
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Remove the fried chicken from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Assemble the Bao:
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Heat the bao buns according to the package instructions or your homemade recipe.
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Open each bao bun and spread a little of the prepared Korean Fried Chicken Sauce on the inside.
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Place a few pieces of the fried chicken on each bun.
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Garnish with sliced cucumber, green onions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Serve:
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Serve the Korean Fried Chicken Bao immediately while the bao buns are warm and the chicken is crispy.
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You can serve extra sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.
