Crispy & Chewy! Leftover Chicken Turned into Dakgangjeong
Turn Leftover Chicken into Dakgangjeong! Easy Recipe for Crispy Chicken Nuggets & Homemade Yangnyeom Chicken Sauce
At Hodul’s house, we often find ourselves with leftover chicken or chicken nuggets, and we love transforming them into delicious snacks or side dishes! This recipe is perfect for repurposing store-bought chicken nuggets or any leftover chicken you might have, creating a crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside Dakgangjeong (Korean sweet and spicy fried chicken). We’ll also share a simple yet incredibly flavorful homemade Yangnyeom Chicken sauce recipe, so you don’t need any special store-bought sauces. Get ready to make an amazing chicken dish with Hodul’s recipe!
Main Ingredients- Chicken nuggets (or leftover cooked chicken)
- 1/2 Scallion, finely chopped
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
Sweet & Spicy Yangnyeom Chicken Sauce- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1.5 Tbsp Oligodang (Korean corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1.5 Tbsp Oligodang (Korean corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the sweet and spicy Yangnyeom Chicken sauce. In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of ketchup, 1.5 tablespoons of oligodang, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well. Taste and adjust the sweetness with more sugar or oligodang, saltiness with soy sauce, and tanginess with ketchup to suit your preference.
Step 2
Finely chop the scallion that will be stir-fried with the sauce. Wash the scallion thoroughly and chop it finely. Having your ingredients prepped like this makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 3
Now it’s time to cook the chicken nuggets until golden brown. You can use an air fryer for extra crispiness or pan-fry them with a little oil. I’ll be pan-frying them so they absorb the sauce beautifully.
Step 4
Oh my, I cooked too many! I made extra for my second child who can’t handle much spice. Once the nuggets are nicely browned, set them aside on a plate for a moment.
Step 5
If you’re using leftover cooked chicken, be cautious about reheating it directly in the microwave, as it can pose a risk of food poisoning. It’s best to reheat frozen leftover chicken using an air fryer or oven. Since it’s difficult to reheat directly in a pan, using an air fryer is recommended to restore its crispiness.
Step 6
Using the same pan you used for the chicken nuggets, let’s make the Yangnyeom Chicken sauce. Keep the heat on low. Add the chopped scallions and 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic to the pan, utilizing any remaining oil. Sauté them until fragrant, bringing out the subtle sweetness of the scallions and the aroma of the garlic.
Step 7
Once the scallions and garlic are fragrant and infused with flavor, pour in all the prepared Yangnyeom Chicken sauce. Let it simmer gently on low heat until it starts to bubble slightly. You’ll notice the sauce thickening a bit.
Step 8
When the sauce is simmering nicely, add all the cooked chicken nuggets back into the pan. Continue to cook over low heat, tossing them gently to coat each nugget evenly with the sauce. This step ensures every piece is perfectly glazed.
Step 9
Finally, let’s add the finishing touches to enhance the flavor and appearance. Drizzle about a tablespoon of oligodang over the nuggets for a glossy finish and gently toss. Add a little sesame oil and a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds to complete this delicious Dakgangjeong!
Step 10
Ta-da! Our leftover chicken nuggets have been transformed into this amazing Dakgangjeong! The sweet and spicy Yangnyeom Chicken sauce is deeply absorbed, making it a perfect match for beer or a delightful snack for kids. This delicious Dakgangjeong is perfect for any occasion, not just special days. Be sure to give it a try!
