Spicy Galbi

Serves: 4 | Cook Time: ~40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Glaze/Sauce:

• 3 tbsp soy sauce

• 3 tbsp dark soy sauce

• 3 tbsp brown sugar or honey

• 2 tbsp gochujang

• 1 tbsp gochugaru (optional, for extra heat)

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar or mirin

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 5 cloves garlic, grated

• 1/2 inch ginger, grated

• 1–2 tbsp of one of the following (choose based on what you have):

• Grated Asian pear

• Grated apple

• Pineapple juice

• Orange juice

• Unsweetened applesauce

For the Chicken:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (trimmed; cut in half if large)

• 4 tbsp cornstarch (for light, even coating)

Toppings (Optional):

• Toasted sesame seeds

• Chopped scallions

• Thinly sliced jalapeños

• Serve with rice and kimchi

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

   • Trim the chicken thighs (and halve them if needed) so they’re uniform for cooking.

2. Dry Coat the Chicken

   • Place the chicken in a bowl or ziplock bag and toss with 3–4 tbsp of cornstarch until lightly and evenly coated. (No need to pat the chicken dry, as you want to preserve any natural juices.)

3. Air Fry the Chicken

   • Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.

   • Lightly spray the basket with oil.

   • Place the coated chicken in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for ~20 minutes, flipping halfway through until the exterior is golden and crisp.

4. Prepare the Glaze

   • While the chicken is air frying, combine all the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan.

   • Bring to a simmer over medium heat and reduce for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes a sticky, glossy sauce.

   • Adjust the thickness with a small cornstarch slurry if needed (probably not needed if you used dark soy sauce).

5. Glaze and Finish

   • When the chicken is done, transfer it to a large bowl and immediately toss with the hot glaze so every piece gets a good coat.

   • Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, chopped scallions, and sliced jalapeños if desired.

6. Serve

   • Plate the glazed chicken over rice or semi-healthy poha and serve with a side of kimchi or your favorite vegetables.