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If there’s something you’re going to fry, it needs to be these Korean Fried Chicken Tacos.
And this is coming from someone who does everything she can not to fry. Oddly though, I have now fried three things this week.
Huh, maybe I secretly love it?
Nope, I don’t, but sometimes the mess and grease are worth it. Like for doughnuts, well and really any fried dough. And definitely this chicken.
Seriously though, this chicken is special. When I saw it over on one of my favorite blogs, The Tart Tart a few weeks ago I knew it was something I really wanted to try. It’s all about two important things. One, it’s double fried, and two, the sauce. The sauce is amazing and it’s due to Gochujang sauce. A word I have not a clue how to say, but I do know that it’s Korean hot chile paste and it MAKES this chicken.
I could not find it at my local store (surprise, surprise), but I just ordered it on Thrive Market, which for me is actually easier than going to the store.
Speaking of Amazon though, I kind of, sort of, think it would be awesome if everything could be bought from Amazon. My life would be so much easier.
Oh but, speaking of life? The barn is really happening.
Like floors, and counters, all the stuff is being planned and picked out. I need help. No really, I do! Please start telling me the do’s and don’ts. What’s your favorite flooring? Bathroom sink? Lights? Windows? Furniture??
Taking any and all advice. Starting like yesterday.
I have so many ideas, but putting them all together into one space is hard. Kind of the way it is with my recipes and deciding on just one flavor, or whether to go fried or baked, chicken or tuna, savory or sweet… while you get the picture. Only this is permanent. This is my new home.
Exiting and overwhelming all at the same time, but mostly exciting.
With so many decisions to make, the only thing I am sure of is that you’ll love this recipe. With crispy noodles and queso fresco, there is nothing not to love. Go on, give it a try!
Korean Fried Chicken Tacos with Sweet Slaw, Crunchy Noodles + Queso Fresco.
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 503 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Korean Fried Chicken
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons gochujang Korean chile paste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2/3 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 pound chicken breast or thighs cut into bite size pieces
- 1/2 pound cooked chow mein noodles or other thick asian noodles
Sweet Crunchy Asian Slaw
- 3 cups mixed red and green cabbage
- 2 carrots sliced into match sticks
- 2 red chiles seeded + sliced
- 1 clove garlic minced or grated
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 lime juiced
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
- black pepper to taste
Topping
- 4-8 warmed corn or flour tortillas or hard shell tacos
- queso fresco
- fresh cilantro
- sesame seeds
- picked ginger
Instructions
To make the slaw
- In a medium bowl mix together the cabbage, carrots, red chilies, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, lime juice, sesame seeds and black pepper. Toss well to combine and place in the fridge until ready to use, but no longer than a few hours or the cabbage will get soggy.
Make the Chicken
- In a large bowl mix together minced or grated garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil and honey. Set aside.
- Heat a few inches of oil in a heavy bottom high sided skillet or pot to 350 degrees F.
- Add the cooked noodles in 2 or 3 batches to the hot oil and fry until golden, 3-5 minutes. Drain on paper towel and then break into pieces. Set aside.
- Whisk flour, cornstarch, and 2/3 cup water in another bowl. Add chicken chunks and toss. Working in batches, fry chicken until golden, 6–8 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Return oil to 350 degrees F. Fry chicken a second time until crisp, 6–8 minutes more. Drain on paper towels. Add the chicken to the bowl with the sauce and toss well.
To Assemble
- Divide the chicken among the warmed taco shells. Top with sesame seeds and slaw. Add the crunchy noodle, cilantro and queso fresco. DEVOUR!
Notes
*Korean Fried Chicken seen on The Tart Tart and adapted from Saveur.
Oh, and if you start your day with this bowl, and end it with these tacos, your Wednesday will be completely balanced.
Your wish might come true with Amazon! Apparently they are starting to sell groceries in the West Coast, haha! I’m not going to lie–if the shipping was free, I would probably take them up on that offer.
These tacos look insane! That chicken!
No way? That’s weird. How they going to do that? werid.
Thanks Laura!!
I’m totally anti-frying too because of the mess and the fact that I’ll smell like whatever I fried for the next 5 days…BUT these tacos look 1000% worth it. I’m gonna check out our local Asian grocery store ASAP for that sauce!
I feel the same!! But yeah, these are a must try!
Thanks Taylor!
Yay for tacos! I have yet to try gochujang but I hear amazing things. These tacos will have to be my gateway. 🙂
You have got to try it, So good!!
Thanks Stephanie!! 🙂 Happy Baby shower (well virtual baby shower) day!
i love the look of this. I want to learn more about korean food – this is great inspiration. Thanks Tieghan!
Thank you so much, Trisha!
West Elm is everything for my home decor needs, so there’s that. And obv Amazon will make life easy with that too 🙂 Love the way this chicken looks and def need to look into that chili paste!
West Elm and Amazon is the best. Love them both!
Thanks Christine!
Word on buying everything from Amazon. True story – when I want to buy something, I first check Amazon to see if I can get it there. Anything to get out of going to a store because front door delivery is da bomb.
Totally digging these tacos, Tieghan! I may just have to get over my dislike of frying stuff (mainly because I can’t stand the way it makes my house smell) so I can make these tacos!
Yes, yes, I do the same!!
Thanks Julie!
Fried chicken is always a resounding yes! with me, especially if it’s in taco form with all kinds of stuff like crunchy noodles, spicy sauce and queso fresco. Looks awesome!
Thanks so much, Nicole!!
Now that you have that gochujang you need some bibimbap in your life! I say it like “go-choo-jong” like gong, I’ve also heard “go-choo-jang” like gang. Anyway, these tacos look AMAZING! Korean food is my Seoul food (horrible pun intended)…I was actually born in Seoul!
Oh now way! I need you to teach me your secrets of Korean cooking and making bibimbap has been on my list for so long. Need o make it happen!
Thanks Cindy! 🙂
absolutely gorgeous photos!!! i am so impressed how you can post so many beautiful recipes so often
Thank you so much! 🙂
If you are making a kitchen in the barn. Might I suggest.
Shorten the cupboard doors under the sink, add a drawer where the toe board is for your tea towels and dish cloths.
Drawers for your dishes.
A Corner Pantry floor to ceiling
Veg bins.
* A bakers counter … it is lower than your other counters and is a must.
Makes mixing and rolling etc. so much easier.
Ohhh!! Love these tip! A bakers counter sounds awesome. Never would have thought of that. Thank you!
ooh these tacos look good. i especially love gochujang paste! its the perfect sweet and salty combo. btw, its pronounced like go – chool – jang! i always ask for it when i order korean food 🙂
Sher
http://www.shershegoes.com
Thanks Sher!! 🙂
looks good. love korean bbq. Also, please post more pictures and videos of your adorable cat. I’m obsessed.
Haha! Will do! Thanks Kerry!
What I love about my kitchen is that right under my cutting board next to the sink is my trash compactor. I pull the drawer and I can sweep my mess right into the garbage. It comes in very handy and really helps with the clean up. I also have a container for my worm box and compost nearby.
Love that suggestions! Thanks so much!
Tieghan, as usual you have me drooling first thing in the morning. Gaa! These tacos look so good! I love me some mexican-asian fusion! Oh, and if I were renovating an old barn I’d head on over to the Schoolhouse Electric website. Have fun making it your own! You deserve the success girl!
Thank you so much, Heather! Checking out that awesome website now!
The universal law is: There is never enough kitchen bench space/desk space. Once you have space, you fill it up. So don’t stress and have fun designing your barn. Do you need to limit your options? Budgets do that very effectively. If your budget is tight that’s when you start delegating projects to people who have power tools or like messing around with gooey adhesives. It doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as it feels like home. You can change things down the line, including walls if necessary.
From the pictures pinned, you look like you know what you want. Trust yourself.
A wise lady reminded me after I’d been bitching and complaining about my first attempt at kitchen remodelling “Does the kitchen sink work? Yes? Good, the world can start turning again.” Which made me laugh and lighten up a tad. Renovating can drive you to drink but it’s worth it. Nice taco’s too.
Thank you so much for the words of wisdom. Counter space is a must and I will try and not stress. Fun is the route I am going!
Thanks again, Kat!