This Korean-Hawaii Chicken is a crispy, golden-fried delight tossed in a flavorful shoyu-based sauce with honey, chili garlic, and sesame. Juicy chicken thighs are coated, fried to perfection, and then glazed in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sauce.
3½lbsboneless chicken thighscut into bite-sized pieces
¾cupall-purpose flour
Vegetable oilfor frying
For the Sauce:
⅔cupshoyuAloha Shoyu recommended
¼cupapple cider vinegar
¼cupbrown sugar
¼cupSteviaor substitute with additional brown sugar
3tablespoonschili garlic sauceor preferred hot sauce
2tablespoonshoney
⅓cupgreen onionsfinely chopped
1tablespoonsesame oil
2teaspoonsroasted sesame seedsoptional
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Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
Trim any excess fat from the boneless chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces, approximately four pieces per thigh. The skin is not required, as the chicken will be fried and coated in sauce.
Coat the Chicken
Place the flour in a large mixing bowl. Dredge the chicken pieces evenly, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flour to bond with the chicken, resulting in a crispier texture when fried.
Prepare the Sauce
In a large bowl, combine shoyu, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Stevia, chili garlic sauce, honey, green onions, sesame oil, and sesame seeds (if using). Stir until the sugar has dissolved and the ingredients are well incorporated. Set aside.
Heat the Oil
Pour vegetable oil into a frying pan until it reaches approximately ½ inch in depth. Heat over high heat, then reduce to medium-high before adding the chicken to prevent burning.
Fry the Chicken
Carefully place the floured chicken pieces into the hot oil, ensuring they do not overlap. Fry for approximately 5-6 minutes per side, flipping once a crust begins to form. Increase the heat to high during the final minute of cooking to achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
Coat the Chicken with Sauce
Once the chicken is fully cooked and crisp, remove it from the oil and immediately dip each piece into the shoyu sauce mixture. Alternatively, place multiple pieces into the bowl and toss until evenly coated.
Serve
Transfer the coated chicken onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess sauce while maintaining crispiness. Garnish with additional green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
To make this Korean-Hawaii Chicken gluten-free, follow these substitutions:
Flour Substitute: Replace all-purpose flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend designed for frying. This ensures a crispy texture without gluten.
Soy Sauce Alternative: Use gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos instead of shoyu to maintain the umami-rich flavor.
Check Labels: Ensure that chili garlic sauce and any other sauces used are gluten-free. Some brands may contain gluten-based additives.
This adaptation keeps the chicken just as crispy and flavorful while making it accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.