찜닭 (Jjim Dak) Recipe
Braised Korean Chicken with Vegetables in Soy-Gochujang Sauce
Total Time:
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 whole chicken (cut into 8 pieces, or 4-5 bone-in chicken thighs)
- 2 medium potatoes (peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks)
- 1 medium onion (cut into wedges)
- 2 medium carrots (sliced into thick rounds)
- 1 leek (or 1 green onions, cut into 2-inch lengths)
- 1 cup mushrooms (optional)
- Glass noodles (optional)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small piece of ginger
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp ginger (grated)
- 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes, optional for extra spice)
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
Optional Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables:
- If using a whole chicken, cut it into 8 pieces (legs, thighs, wings, and breast). If using boneless chicken thighs, cut them into large chunks.
- Peel and cut the potatoes into 2-inch pieces, slice the carrots into thick rounds, and cut the onion into wedges.
- Slice the leek or green onions into 2-inch lengths. Clean and slice the mushrooms if using.
2. Make the Sauce:
- In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, gochujang, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water (or chicken broth). Stir well until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth.
3. Cook the Chicken:
- In a large pot, add the chicken pieces and pour the sauce mixture over them. Add the minced garlic and sliced ginger along with the potato chunks.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes.
- During this time, skim off any impurities or foam that rise to the surface to ensure a cleaner broth. This will help improve the flavor.
4. Add Vegetables and Simmer Again: (20-30 minutes)
- After 20 minutes of simmering, add the carrots, onions, leeks, and mushrooms to the pot. Stir gently to combine.
- Continue to simmer the stew for another 20 to 30 minutes. The chicken should become tender and the vegetables should soften. If using bone-in chicken, check for doneness by seeing if the meat easily comes off the bone.
- The sauce will thicken as it simmers, so keep an eye on the liquid levels. If it reduces too much, you can add a little more water or broth to maintain a saucy consistency.
5. Cook the Glass noodles (당면):
glass noodles should be added toward the end of cooking.
- Soak the glass noodles:
Soak the noodles in warm water for about 15–20 minutes before cooking to soften them. This helps them cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the sauce. - Add the noodles:
After the chicken and vegetables are almost fully cooked (around the last 5 minutes of cooking), add the softened glass noodles to the pot. - Simmer and stir:
Stir the noodles gently into the sauce, ensuring they are fully submerged and coated in the rich braising liquid. Let them cook until they become translucent and tender, absorbing the sauce’s flavor.
6. Adjust Seasoning and Serve: (5 minutes)
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you prefer more saltiness, add a little more soy sauce. If it’s too spicy, add a little more sugar to balance the flavors.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions just before serving.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve 찜닭 hot with a bowl of steamed rice to soak up the rich, flavorful sauce. The tender chicken and vegetables in the savory broth make for a satisfying, hearty meal.
- For extra flavor, you can serve it with kimchi or pickled radishes (kkakdugi) on the side.
Tips for the Best 찜닭:
- Chicken Choices: You can use bone-in chicken for a richer flavor or boneless thighs for a quicker and easier version. Bone-in chicken will give the dish a fuller, deeper flavor.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of gochujang and gochugaru to suit your spice tolerance. For a milder dish or if you will serve it to kids, you can omit the gochujang and gochugaru (chili flakes).
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like sweet potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers depending on what you have available. Just make sure the potatoes are cut into larger pieces to prevent them from breaking down during the simmering process.
- Make-Ahead Option: 찜닭 can be made a day ahead, and the flavors will develop even more. Just reheat before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
This 찜닭 recipe delivers a rich, savory flavor with tender chicken and hearty vegetables in a slightly sweet and spicy sauce. The simplicity of the ingredients combined with the depth of the sauce makes it a perfect comfort food for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it for a family dinner or special gathering, it’s sure to be a hit!
Enjoy your 찜닭! It’s an easy yet flavorful dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
