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Korean Popcorn Chicken (Keto & Low-Carb)

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This Korean Popcorn Chicken (Dakgangjeong) is ultra-crispy and coated in a sweet, spicy, and garlicky glaze. It’s the perfect snack, appetizer, or party food!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)

1 egg, beaten

½ cup cornstarch

½ cup all-purpose flour

Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar)

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon grated ginger

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)

For Garnish (Optional):

Sesame seeds

Sliced green onions

Instructions

Step 1: Prep & Coat the Chicken

  1. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  2. In a bowl, beat the egg. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and flour.
  3. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then coat evenly in the cornstarch-flour mixture. Shake off excess.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken

  1. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Fry chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes, until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel.
  3. Double-fry for extra crispiness: Fry the chicken again for 2-3 minutes until super crispy.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine gochujang, ketchup, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
  2. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 4: Coat & Serve

  1. Toss the crispy chicken in the sauce until well coated.
  2. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately!

Notes

No deep fryer? Air-fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes, shaking halfway.

Prefer a milder version? Reduce the gochujang or add more honey for sweetness.

Make it a meal! Serve with steamed rice and kimchi for a full Korean-style dish.

 

Find it online: https://recipe.newsvks.com/korean-popcorn-chicken-keto-low-carb/