Savory & Sweet Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Korean Hot Peppers
Easy Air Fryer Recipe: Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Korean Hot Peppers
Tired of deciding what to cook every single night? Instead of our usual chicken stew, I decided to make something special today: pan-fried chicken thighs glazed with a delicious soy sauce mixture! Chicken thighs are incredibly flavorful, aren’t they? While some prefer breast meat, our household is definitely team thigh meat! Today, we’ll be making a mouthwatering soy-glazed chicken dish using an air fryer. It’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfectly complemented by the slight heat of the Korean hot peppers. Let’s make this delicious meal together!
Main Ingredients
- 500g boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
- 5 Korean hot peppers (꽈리고추)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Soy Glaze
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the chicken thighs thoroughly under cold running water. This helps to remove any residual blood or impurities for a cleaner taste.
Step 2
Pat the chicken thighs dry and generously season them all over with salt and black pepper. This initial seasoning is key to building flavor into the meat.
Step 3
Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, ensuring the skin side is facing upwards. Place them in a preheated air fryer set to 200°C (390°F) and air fry for 15 minutes. It’s best to flip them halfway through to ensure the skin becomes golden brown and crispy on both sides. Aim for about 7-8 minutes per side.
Step 4
While the chicken is cooking, wash the Korean hot peppers. You can either trim the stems or make a lengthwise slit down each pepper. Slitting them helps the glaze penetrate better and enhances the flavor.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the delicious soy glaze. In a small bowl, add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
Step 6
Next, add 2 tablespoons of mirin (or rice wine). Mirin helps to eliminate any gamey odors and adds a lovely sheen to the finished dish.
Step 7
Stir in 1/2 tablespoon of oyster sauce for a deep, savory umami flavor.
Step 8
Finally, add 1/2 tablespoon of sugar for a touch of sweetness. Whisk all the glaze ingredients together until well combined.
Step 9
Once the chicken has air-fried for about 15 minutes and is partially cooked, add the prepared Korean hot peppers around the chicken. Continue to air fry for another 5-7 minutes. If you love Korean hot peppers, feel free to add more for an extra burst of flavor.
Step 10
Remove the chicken and peppers from the air fryer. Let them cool slightly, then transfer them to a preheated frying pan over medium heat. Brush the soy glaze generously onto both sides of the chicken thighs and cook briefly, allowing the glaze to caramelize and coat the chicken beautifully. Be careful not to burn the glaze; the goal is to create a sticky, glossy finish.
Step 11
Your savory and sweet soy-glazed chicken thighs with Korean hot peppers are ready! The combination of the slightly spicy peppers and the rich, savory glaze is absolutely delicious. Enjoy this fantastic dish as a hearty meal or a flavorful appetizer!
