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North Korean chicken

North Korean Braised Chicken

Thanks to the steaming process, this North Korean–style braised chicken turns out incredibly tender and juicy. It’s a super easy recipe you can make in under 30 minutes, yet it delivers deep, rich chicken flavor you’ll love.
Servings 2 people
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
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Equipment

  • 1 Deep pot
  • 1 deep wok pan
  • 1 Steamer
  • 1 kitchen scissors
  • 1 Tongs

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 3.5 L water
  • 2 stalks green onion
  • 10 cloves garlic
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 3 tbsp soju (or white wine or skip)

Garnish

  • 4 stalks green onion (using chives is original recipe)

Dipping Suace

  • 1/2 stalk green onion
  • 2 tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
  • 3 tbsp chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • 1/2 tbsp sugar (you can skip)
  • 1 tsp Korean mustard (yeon-gyoja) (you can use wasabi instead, but it tastes different)

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Chicken: Use kitchen scissors to trim off the tail (fatty rear) and wing tips. Remove any fat. Slice open the belly about 70% of the way (don’t cut completely).
    North Korean chicken
  • Lightly snip the leg joints at the top of the thighs to make the chicken easier to open up. Pat the inside clean with paper towels.
  • Boil: In a deep pot, Fill the pot with water to the top (3.5L). Add 1 tbsp salt, onion, 2 green onions, and garlic cloves. Bring to a boil.
    North Korean chicken
  • Once the green onions start softening, raise to high heat. Add the whole chicken and 3 tbsp soju. Boil for 3 minutes uncovered, then cover and boil for another 20 minutes for a juicy, fast boil.
    North Korean chicken
  • Steam the Chicken: Place a steamer rack inside a pot or wok. Place the boiled chicken on top, pour a bit of the broth over it, and steam for 10 minutes over medium heat.
    North Korean chicken
  • Blanch the Green Onions for Garnish: In the remaining chicken broth, blanch 4 stalks of green onion for 3–4 minutes. Set aside.
    North Korean chicken
  • Make the Dipping Sauce: In a bowl, mix: chopped green onion, gochugaru, chicken broth, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and mustard.
    Adjust thickness with extra broth, depending on your preference.
    North Korean chicken

North Korean Braised Chicken 이북식 찜닭

  • Eat by dipping chicken into the sauce and wrapping with the blanched green onion like ssam.
    North Korean chicken
  • Jal meokgetseumnida! 잘 먹겠습니다!
    North Korean chicken
Author: Blonde Kimchi
Calories: 450kcal
Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course, Soup, stew
Cuisine: Asian, Korean
Keyword: chicken, diet, easy, healthy, home food, low carb, protein, steam, traditional, warm, weight loss

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @lemon&limes on Instagram and hashtag it #lemon&limes.