Spicy and Sweet Dakbokkeumtang (Korean Braised Chicken)
Spicy and Sweet Dakbokkeumtang (Korean Braised Chicken)
The Ultimate Dakbokkeumtang Recipe: Never Fail to Make This Crowd-Pleaser!
Enjoy a hearty and delicious Dakbokkeumtang, a beloved Korean comfort food perfect for family gatherings. This spicy and sweet braised chicken dish is a true rice thief, guaranteed to make you devour an extra bowl of rice! I’ve added a few secret ingredients to my special sauce to create a uniquely flavorful experience. Let’s make this irresistible Dakbokkeumtang together!
Main Ingredients- 1 whole chicken (approx. 1.2kg, preferably a free-range or young chicken)
- 1 medium potato
- 1/2 carrot
- 3 stalks green onion
- 1/2 onion
- 4 Korean chili peppers (cheongyang peppers)
- A little cooking oil
- A little salt
- A little black pepper
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 4 cups (800ml) water
Special Sauce- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Curry powder
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 3 tsp Minced ginger (or 1/2 tsp ginger powder)
- 2 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup) or honey
- 3 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Curry powder
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 3 tsp Minced ginger (or 1/2 tsp ginger powder)
- 2 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup) or honey
- 3 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine for cooking)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients for your Dakbokkeumtang. Using fresh ingredients is the key to a delicious dish!
Step 2
Rinse the chicken thoroughly. Cut the potatoes and onion into large, bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the chicken. Slice the carrot into half-moon shapes. For a nice spicy kick, thinly slice the Korean chili peppers diagonally. Cut the green onions into 3-4cm lengths. Cutting the vegetables to a similar size ensures they cook evenly.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine all the special sauce ingredients. Mix them thoroughly with a spoon until well combined and smooth, ensuring there are no clumps. The curry powder adds a unique and delightful aroma.
Step 4
To remove any impurities and excess fat from the chicken, blanch it in boiling water with one stalk of green onion for about 5 minutes. After blanching, rinse the chicken under cold water and drain it well. This step ensures a cleaner flavor.
Step 5
Lightly oil a heated pan and add the blanched chicken. Sear the chicken over medium heat until it’s golden brown on all sides. This searing process locks in the juices, making the chicken extra moist and flavorful.
Step 6
Add the cut potatoes and carrots to the pan with the seared chicken and stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes. This helps the vegetables absorb some of the chicken flavor and oil. Pour in all the prepared special sauce and stir-fry for another minute to coat everything evenly. Now, add 4 cups (800ml) of water, cover the pan, and simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken and potatoes are tender.
Step 7
Once the chicken is almost cooked through and the sauce has slightly reduced, add the sliced onion. The onion will release its sweetness and help thicken the sauce. Remove the lid and continue to simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Step 8
Finally, add the diagonally sliced Korean chili peppers and the remaining green onions. Stir gently to combine. Before turning off the heat, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. You can also add a little more sugar or oligodang if you prefer it sweeter.
Step 9
Sprinkle a little black pepper over the finished Dakbokkeumtang and garnish with sesame seeds for added aroma and flavor. Your delicious and glossy Dakbokkeumtang is ready to be served!
Step 10
Although it looks spicy, the ketchup and oligodang balance the heat with a pleasant sweetness, making it perfectly palatable. This dish is great for kids who might not tolerate high levels of spice. Enjoy your delicious Dakbokkeumtang meal!
