Welcome back to Chelsea's K-Food Recipes! Today, we’re making a hearty and spicy Korean classic—Spicy Braised Chicken Stew (닭도리탕, Dakdoritang). This dish combines tender chicken pieces with potatoes, carrots, and a spicy gochujang-based broth that’s perfect for colder days or when you’re craving something bold and flavorful. The stew is known for its rich, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce, making it a true comfort food. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 1.5 kg), cut into pieces, or 1 kg of chicken thighs/drumsticks
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 carrot, sliced into thick rounds
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 4 cups water or chicken stock
Sauce:
- 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
- 2 tbsp gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp mirin (or rice wine, optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Cut the chicken into pieces if using a whole chicken, or use chicken thighs or drumsticks for convenience.
- Rinse the chicken pieces under cold water and drain well.
2. Make the Sauce
- In a bowl, mix together the gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, sesame oil, and mirin (if using). Adjust the spice level to your preference by adding more or less gochugaru.
3. Boil the Chicken
- In a large pot, add the chicken pieces and cover with 4 cups of water or chicken stock.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
4. Add the Sauce and Vegetables
- Once the chicken starts to boil, add the prepared sauce to the pot and stir well to coat the chicken.
- Add the potato chunks, carrot slices, and onion to the pot.
- Reduce the heat to medium and let the stew simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
5. Adjust Seasoning and Serve
- Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh touch.
- Serve hot with a bowl of steamed rice to soak up the flavorful broth!
Tips for Perfect Dakdoritang:
- Adjust the spice level: You can reduce the amount of gochugaru or gochujang if you prefer a milder version. For extra heat, add fresh chili peppers or more gochugaru.
- Let it simmer: The longer the stew simmers, the deeper the flavors will be. It’s even better the next day as the flavors develop!
- Add other vegetables: You can add mushrooms, zucchini, or even sweet potatoes for more variety.
Dakdoritang is a bold and flavorful dish that’s perfect for warming up on cold days. The spicy, savory broth paired with tender chicken and hearty vegetables makes it a must-try for fans of Korean comfort food.
Thanks for stopping by Chelsea's K-Food Recipes—see you next time for more hearty and spicy Korean dishes!