Spicy and Sweet Braised Chicken (Dakbokkeumtang)
A Deliciously Spicy and Sweet Dakbokkeumtang Recipe to Relieve Stress
Feeling stressed and a bit irritated? A bowl of spicy and savory Dakbokkeumtang is the perfect remedy! This braised chicken dish, with its rich and flavorful sauce, is not only a fantastic side for rice but also an excellent accompaniment to a drink.
Main Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks (about 800g)
- 1/2 large leek
- 1 carrot
- 1 potato
- 1/2 onion
- 3 Korean chili peppers (cheongyang peppers)
Seasoning Sauce
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Chicken drumsticks are the star of Dakbokkeumtang and are rich in essential amino acids, making them great for growing children. (You can also use a whole chicken, cut into pieces.)
Step 2
Prepare the vegetables that will add flavor to the dish. Wash and prepare the potatoes, carrots, onion, leek, and the Korean chili peppers for a spicy kick.
Step 3
Cut the carrots into large chunks. Cutting them large helps them hold their shape during cooking and maintains a pleasant texture.
Step 4
Similarly, cut the potatoes into large pieces, just like the carrots. The potatoes will absorb the delicious sauce as they cook.
Step 5
Cut the onion into large wedges, about 6 pieces. As it cooks, the onion will release its sweetness and enrich the broth.
Step 6
Slice the leek diagonally or lengthwise. It will be added towards the end to add a fresh aroma.
Step 7
Slice the Korean chili peppers diagonally after removing the seeds. These add the signature spicy flavor. Feel free to add more if you like it extra spicy.
Step 8
All your vegetables are now prepared into bite-sized pieces. Look how colorful and appetizing they are!
Step 9
Now, let’s make the star of the Dakbokkeumtang – the seasoning sauce! First, add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang).
Step 10
Add 2 tablespoons of mirin (rice wine) to help remove any gamey smell from the chicken and add a touch of sweetness and depth.
Step 11
Stir in 1 tablespoon of plum extract (maesilcheong) for a delightful sweet and fragrant note.
Step 12
Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to balance the flavors. You can adjust this amount to your preference.
Step 13
For that essential spicy kick, add 5 tablespoons of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes).
Step 14
Finally, add 3 tablespoons of gochujang (Korean chili paste) for a rich and complex flavor. Mix everything well to create the sauce.
Step 15
Add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and a pinch of black pepper for extra aroma. Whisk all the sauce ingredients together until well combined.
Step 16
Place the prepared chicken pieces in a pot and cover them with water. Bring this to a boil. This step helps remove impurities from the chicken.
Step 17
Once the water starts boiling, remove the chicken and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water. This process removes any remaining scum or excess fat, resulting in cleaner-tasting chicken.
Step 18
Transfer the blanched chicken to a large mixing bowl,
Step 19
and add the pre-cut potatoes and carrots.
Step 20
Pour all the prepared seasoning sauce over the chicken and vegetables,
Step 21
and gently mix everything with your hands until well coated. (For best results in summer, marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. In winter, you can marinate at room temperature for about 30 minutes.)
Step 22
Transfer the marinated chicken and vegetables to a cooking pot,
Step 23
pour in 3 cups (about 600ml) of water, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat for 20 minutes. Cook until the potatoes and chicken are tender.
Step 24
Once the sauce has thickened slightly, add the sliced onion, leek, and Korean chili peppers. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, just until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Step 25
The rich, thickened sauce of Dakbokkeumtang is perfect for mixing with rice, and it also makes an excellent dish to enjoy with a cold beer or a shot of soju.
Step 26
The secret to a happy meal is simple: cook delicious food using healthy, good-quality ingredients. Enjoy making this wonderful Dakbokkeumtang!
