Description
This Korean-inspired air fryer ‘fried’ chicken plate is crispy, sticky, and macro-friendly — made without deep frying and paired with kimchi fried rice and cucumber salad for a flavorful, balanced meal.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Marinade: Chicken tenderloins or thighs, white vinegar or rice wine vinegar, zero-calorie sweetener, low-sodium soy sauce, gochujang or chili paste, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger paste
- For the Crispy Coating: Soy or whey protein crisps (crushed), all-purpose or cake flour, tapioca/potato/corn starch, baking powder, Korean seasoning blend, sparkling water
- For the Sticky Gochujang Sauce: White vinegar, zero-calorie sweetener, garlic (minced), ginger paste, chili paste, low-sodium soy sauce, gochujang paste, honey
- Optional Kimchi Fried Rice: Cooked rice, diced white onion, minced garlic, chopped kimchi, frozen peas, egg, sesame oil, low-sodium soy sauce, kimchi juice, zero-calorie sweetener, green onions (for garnish)
- Optional Garnishes: Green onions, sesame seeds, cucumber salad (cucumber, sesame oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sweetener, chili paste)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Combine chicken with vinegar, sweetener, soy sauce, gochujang, garlic powder, onion powder, and ginger paste. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Prepare Coating: Crush protein crisps and mix with flour, starch, baking powder, and seasoning. Divide into two bowls — one dry, one mixed with sparkling water into a thick batter.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each piece in dry mix, then wet batter, then dry mix again. Press coating firmly.
- Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray basket with oil. Air fry for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
- Make Sauce: Combine sauce ingredients in a pan and simmer until thick and sticky.
- Serve: Toss or drizzle chicken with sauce. Plate with kimchi fried rice and cucumber salad if using.
- Kimchi Fried Rice (Optional): Sauté garlic, onion, and kimchi. Scramble egg. Add rice, peas, kimchi juice, soy sauce, sweetener. Stir and garnish with green onions.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier result.
- Swap protein crisps with puffed rice or breadcrumbs if needed.
- Adjust heat level by modifying gochujang/chili paste.
- Use tamari and gluten-free starch for a gluten-free version.
- Reheat chicken in air fryer to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
