Contrary to popular belief, Jeff and I usually stick to pretty simple meals in our daily lives. This dish might not look simple, but trust me, it is. The sauce for the chicken uses just three ingredients, yet it tastes absolutely incredible. And best of all, the four ingredients are staples in Asian cooking: gochujang, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and roasted sesame oil.
My Crispy Gochujang Chicken Bites are a delicious fusion of Korean flavors and crispy textures, perfect for a quick family-friendly dinner. These bite-sized pieces of chicken are coated in a flavorful gochujang sauce and then dredged in flour before being air-fried (or fried) to crispy perfection. The sauce is spicy, but can be adjusted to your spice preference.
Dredging the marinated chicken in flour before frying ensures a crispy, golden exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender. The air fryer provides a healthier alternative to traditional frying, delivering the same satisfying crunch without the extra oil.
Recommended Air Fryers
If you’re going the air fryer route (like I did) vs. the traditional deep-frying, here are some great air fryers I recommend.
Crispy Gochujang Chicken Bites
- Total Time: 17 minutes
Description
Spicy chicken bites coated in a gochujang-based sauce, made crispy by dredging in flour and air-frying (or frying), offer a flavorful, crispy snack with a perfect blend of heat and savory goodness.
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken thighs, diced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons gochujang
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon roasted sesame oil
- Garnish (optional): thinly sliced green onions and roasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Dredge the chicken pieces in flour, ensuring they are well-coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray and coat each piece of chicken with some oil.
- Air fry the chicken for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
- In a bowl, combine the gochujang, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and roasted sesame oil.
- Add the cooked chicken to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the sauce mixture. Serve and garnish with green onions and roasted sesame seeds.
Notes
I love serving this meal with rice and salad, but it’s fairly versatile. You can also throw it into a sandwich or with onigiri. I’ve linked my recommended white rice (Japanese short-grain or medium grain) and rice cookers.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
I literally love these so much! They remind me of Asian buffalo chicken
Haha that’s a great comparison! Thanks, Jayla!
These were crispy, spicy, and addictive. I liked how they stayed crunchy even with the sauce.
Hi Nadia – thanks for sharing! 🙂
This has become one of my favorite recipes to make for my family. Thank you for sharing! After I make the gochujang sauce and before coating the chicken, I add a heaping spoonful of mayonnaise to cut the heat and make it creamier. This also makes it more palatable for my young kids.
Hi Jocelyn – thank you for sharing and trying my recipe! I appreciate your kind words!