Sweet & Savory Braised Chicken with Eggplant
Deliciously Braised Chicken and Eggplant: A Flavorful Korean Dish
Experience the perfect harmony of tender chicken and crisp, spicy eggplant in this sweet and savory braised dish! The delectable sauce is guaranteed to make you devour a bowl of rice. A delightful addition of rice noodles elevates this dish to a whole new level. It’s a versatile recipe perfect for a quick side dish or an impressive main course. Discover the secret to making even picky eaters love eggplant!
Main Ingredients- Cut chicken pieces 800g
- Eggplants 2 medium
- Carrot 2/3 medium
- Garlic cloves 5
- Red chili pepper (for garnish, optional) a small amount
Seasoning- Granulated sugar or regular sugar 1/3 cup (approx. 60g)
- Mirin or cooking sake 1/2 cup (approx. 100ml)
- Soy sauce 1/2 cup (approx. 100ml)
- Water 1 cup (approx. 200ml)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Plum extract or syrup 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds 1 Tbsp
- Granulated sugar or regular sugar 1/3 cup (approx. 60g)
- Mirin or cooking sake 1/2 cup (approx. 100ml)
- Soy sauce 1/2 cup (approx. 100ml)
- Water 1 cup (approx. 200ml)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 Tbsp
- Plum extract or syrup 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the chicken. Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the cut chicken pieces for about 1-2 minutes. This step helps remove any gamey odor and makes it easier to rinse away bone fragments and impurities. Rinse the chicken thoroughly under cold running water, carefully removing any bone shards, small debris, and excess fat.
Step 2
Cut the prepared chicken into bite-sized pieces. Cutting them too large might prevent the sauce from penetrating well, while cutting them too small could cause them to break apart during cooking. Aim for a consistent, manageable size.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the braising sauce. In a pot, combine the granulated sugar (or regular sugar) 1/3 cup, mirin (or cooking sake) 1/2 cup, soy sauce 1/2 cup, and water 1 cup. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Be careful to prevent the sugar from burning during this process.
Step 4
To ensure the chicken braises evenly, stir the contents of the pot periodically, making sure to scrape the bottom. This helps distribute the sauce and prevents sticking.
Step 5
Next, prepare the vegetables. Cut the eggplants into three equal parts, then cut each part in half lengthwise, and finally, cut each section into three pieces, creating bite-sized chunks. For the carrot, cut it into pieces of similar length to the eggplant, but slice it slightly thinner. This ensures they cook evenly.
Step 6
Heat about 2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a wide pan over high heat. Add the prepared carrots and eggplants and stir-fry quickly until they are slightly softened but still retain a pleasant crispness. This quick stir-fry enhances their texture and flavor.
Step 7
Add the stir-fried carrots and eggplants to the pot where the chicken is braising. At this stage, scoop out about 3 ladlefuls (approximately 9-10 tablespoons) of the braising liquid and add it to the vegetables. Stir-fry everything together to allow the vegetables to absorb the delicious sauce.
Step 8
Add the sliced garlic cloves and continue to stir-fry until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly, and the aroma of garlic has infused the dish.
Step 9
Now it’s time to add the spicy elements. Stir in 1 tablespoon of gochujang (Korean chili paste) and 1 tablespoon of plum extract (or syrup).
Step 10
Add 1 tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean chili powder) as well.
Step 11
Mix all the seasonings thoroughly with the ingredients until well combined. Continue to cook, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the sauce has reduced and most of the moisture has evaporated.
Step 12
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. Stir gently off the heat; this will give the dish a beautiful sheen and a rich, nutty aroma.
Step 13
Tip! If you have leftover soaked rice noodles, add them to the braising sauce at this stage and stir-fry together. The rice noodles will soak up the flavorful sauce, creating a unique and delicious side. This transforms the dish from a simple side to something special.
Step 14
Finally, it’s time to plate your masterpiece. Arrange the braised chicken pieces on a plate and artfully place the stir-fried eggplant alongside. A few pieces of red chili pepper can be added for garnish, though they are optional. This recipe is a fantastic way to encourage children to eat eggplant, often more than carrots! It’s delicious even without the rice noodles.
