Hearty and Spicy Braised Chicken Stew (Dakbokkeumtang) for 5 Servings
A Recipe for a Generous 5-Serving Spicy Braised Chicken Stew, Perfect for a Gloomy Day
When the weather is overcast and it’s raining, a warm and comforting soup is exactly what comes to mind. Introducing a generous 5-serving recipe for Dakbokkeumtang, perfect for the whole family to enjoy. The sweet and spicy sauce deeply infuses the chicken and vegetables, making it an irresistible dish that will have you reaching for more rice!
Main Ingredients- 1kg chicken (for stewing)
- 1 onion (cut into large chunks)
- 1 potato (cut into large chunks)
- 2 carrots (cut into large chunks)
- 2 stalks of green onions (chopped)
- 1 zucchini (cut into large chunks)
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Mirin (cooking wine)
- 1/3 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp minced ginger
- 100ml soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 hot pepper (like Cheongyang pepper, finely chopped)
- 500ml water
- 1/3 tsp MSG or chicken stock powder (optional)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (cooking wine)
- 1/3 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp minced ginger
- 100ml soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 hot pepper (like Cheongyang pepper, finely chopped)
- 500ml water
- 1/3 tsp MSG or chicken stock powder (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by making the key component of this delicious Dakbokkeumtang: the sauce! In a large bowl, combine the mirin, black pepper, sesame oil, sugar, corn syrup, minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, gochugaru, and optional MSG or stock powder.
Step 2
Using a spoon or whisk, mix the ingredients in the bowl thoroughly until well combined and smooth. Ensure there are no clumps for a consistent flavor.
Step 3
Place the cleaned chicken pieces (1kg) into the prepared sauce. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the chicken, resulting in a more delicious stew.
Step 4
Now, let’s begin cooking! Place the marinated chicken in a deep, spacious pot. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil over high heat. Once the stew starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 20 minutes. Check the chicken’s doneness, then continue to cook for another 20 minutes. Afterwards, you can lower the heat further. If you prefer it spicier, add the finely chopped hot pepper at this stage.
Step 5
Let’s prepare the vegetables that will enhance the flavor of the Dakbokkeumtang. Cut the potatoes, carrots, and zucchini into large, bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the chicken. To prevent softer vegetables like potatoes from breaking down and becoming mushy in the stew, it’s helpful to cut them into larger chunks and slightly round off the edges. Cut the onion into large pieces as well. (Don’t worry if the carrots don’t seem to be visible in the picture yet! They’ll appear during the cooking process.)
Step 6
When the chicken is almost cooked, add the large chunks of potato to the pot. Continue to simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the potatoes to cook through. Properly cooked potatoes add a wonderful texture and flavor to the stew.
Step 7
Once the potatoes are somewhat tender, add the prepared carrots and zucchini to the pot. (Ah, the carrots haven’t quite made their entrance yet! Don’t worry, they’ll join the party soon.) Continue to simmer for at least 5 more minutes after adding the carrots and zucchini. It’s important to cook the vegetables until they are tender but not overly mushy.
Step 8
We’re almost at the finish line! Finally, add the large chunks of onion and the chopped green onions on top of the Dakbokkeumtang.
Step 9
After adding the onion and green onions, let it simmer for about 5 more minutes, gently stirring to combine all the ingredients. Keep the heat on medium-low.
Step 10
Oh, the carrots have finally joined the group! (Let’s imagine a scenario where you ordered delivery, but it was late, so you started cooking first. You must have been very hungry!) Curious about how to incorporate the carrots? Adding them directly might make them too soft. One creative approach is to scoop out some broth, cook the carrots separately in that broth, and then combine them with the rest of the stew at the end. (This is a creative adaptation; in a standard recipe, all vegetables are usually added together to cook.)
Step 11
Once everything is bubbling and well combined, turn off the heat and enjoy your delicious Dakbokkeumtang! It makes for a hearty and satisfying meal, especially served with hot rice.
