Gochujang Braised Chicken

Even though the rice as in the recipe is a great addition, I frequently make the chicken and serve it over plain rice and it is still one of my favorite dishes.  Serve it with some roasted box chow and/or fennel or any vegetable of your choice.

Gochujang Braised Chicken 

1 small onion, finely chopped

8 garlic cloves, finely grated

1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled, finely grated

¼ cup gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)

¼ cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon mirin

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more

3 cups cooked short-grain rice

8 chicken drumsticks, patted dry

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

6 scallions, white and pale-green parts only, cut into 1-inch pieces

Kosher salt

For Rice (optional 

1teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon mustard powder

Preparation

Step 1

Mix onion, garlic, ginger, gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, mirin, sesame oil, and 1 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl to combine; set sauce aside.

Step 2

Toss rice, cumin, garlic powder, and mustard powder in a medium bowl to combine; spread out on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and chill until cold, about 1 hour.

Step 3

Meanwhile, season chicken generously with salt. Heat butter and vegetable oil in a medium heavy pot over medium. As soon as foaming subsides, add chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add reserved sauce and bring to a simmer; cook until sauce appears to thin out, about 3 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, partially cover pot, and simmer, turning occasionally, until chicken is very tender, 45–55 minutes.

Step 4

Divide rice into 4 portions; form into ¾"-thick disks (moisten hands with water to prevent sticking). Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium. Working in 2 batches, cook rice cakes, turning halfway through, until crisp, puffed, and golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to plates.

Step 5

Add scallions to chicken and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Top each cake with 2 chicken legs and a few scallions; spoon plenty of sauce over.