Crispy Korean Fried Chicken at Home

Fried Chicken, Want to create fried chicken at home that’s just as crispy as your favorite chicken restaurant?
From traditional deep-frying methods to healthier air fryer and oven techniques, we’ll reveal the secrets to
achieving perfect crispiness through various cooking methods.

Once you master the key points for each technique, anyone can make delicious homemade fried chicken.

1. Preparation Process 🍳

🥩 Main Ingredients

2.2 lbs chicken (wings, thighs, boneless pieces – your choice)
1 cup milk (for removing gamey smell)

🥦 Secondary Ingredients

1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder

🥣 Batter Ingredients

1 cup potato starch
1 cup all-purpose flour (or tempura flour)
1 cup ice water
1 egg
Vegetable oil (for frying) or canola oil

⏰ Cooking Time
45 minutes to 1 hour

Difficulty Level
🟡 Medium

🍳 Cooking Equipment

Deep fryer or air fryer or oven
Thermometer
Strainer or paper towels
Oil spray bottle (for air fryer/oven use)

2. Cooking Process 👩🍳

Basic Preparation

1️⃣ Remove gamey smell: Soak cleaned chicken in milk for about 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

2️⃣ Season: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and marinate for at least 15 minutes to let flavors penetrate.

3️⃣ Make batter: Mix potato starch and flour in a 1:1 ratio, add ice water and egg to create a thin batter consistency.

Deep Frying Method (Traditional)

4️⃣ First fry: Fry in 320°F oil for 5-6 minutes to cook the inside thoroughly.

5️⃣ Second fry: Fry at high temperature of 356°F for 2-3 minutes to make the exterior crispy.

Air Fryer Method

6️⃣ Preheat and first cook: Preheat air fryer to 392°F, add battered chicken, spray with oil, and cook for 10 minutes.

7️⃣ Second cook: Flip, spray with oil again, and cook at 374°F for an additional 8-10 minutes.

Oven Method

8️⃣ Oven baking: Bake in preheated 428°F oven for 20 minutes, flip and bake for another 10 minutes to complete your
fried chicken.

3. Pro Tips and Precautions 💡

Key Secrets for Crispiness

Using ice water batter helps the coating contract, enhancing the crispiness of your fried chicken.
The potato starch mixture has high moisture absorption, which is the secret to making the coating extra crispy.

Method-Specific Precautions

Deep frying: Temperature control is crucial – maximize crispiness with the second fry.
Air fryer/oven: Spray sufficient oil to prevent drying and maintain crispiness.
Cooking in two stages allows moisture to evaporate before crisping the exterior.

Quality Check Points

Your fried chicken is ready when the exterior turns golden brown and crispy.
Place on paper towels for about 5 minutes to remove excess oil for a cleaner taste.