Korean Chicken Bao Recipe

Soft and fluffy steamed bao buns filled with crispy Korean chicken make for a delightful treat that can elevate any occasion. This Korean Chicken Bao Recipe is perfect for parties, game days, or casual family dinners. With easy-to-follow instructions and an explosion of flavors, your guests will be begging for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Impressive Presentation: These bao buns look stunning on any table, making them a great conversation starter.
• Flavor Explosion: The combination of crispy chicken and savory gochujang sauce offers an unforgettable taste experience.
• Versatile Dish: Serve them as appetizers, party food, or even as a fun main dish, catering to various occasions.
• Easy to Make: Despite their impressive appearance, these buns are surprisingly simple to prepare with straightforward steps.
• Customizable Fillings: Feel free to swap in different proteins or veggies to suit your taste preferences.

Tools and Preparation

To make this delicious Korean Chicken Bao Recipe, having the right tools is essential. Below is a list of items you’ll need.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Rolling pin
• Steamer pan
• Deep frying pan or fryer
• Baking parchment

Importance of Each Tool

• Mixing bowls: Essential for combining ingredients thoroughly without spills.
• Steamer pan: Allows the bao buns to cook evenly and retain their soft texture.
• Deep frying pan or fryer: Ensures that the chicken gets crispy without absorbing too much oil.

Ingredients

For the Bao Buns

• 450 g (3 3/4 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp instant dried yeast
• 3 tbsp whole milk
• 210 ml (3/4 cup + 2 tbsp) warm water
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter (very soft)
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Crispy Chicken

• 4 chicken breasts (sliced into bite-size chunks)
• 240 ml (1 cup) buttermilk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt

For the Crispy Coating

• 180 g (1 1/2 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• ½ tsp celery salt
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp chilli flakes

For Frying and Sauce

• Vegetable oil for deep frying (at least 1 litre/four cups)
• 2 tbsp gochujang paste
• 2 tbsp honey
• 4 tbsp brown sugar
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
• 2 tsp minced ginger
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

For Garnishing

• 1 small red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1/4 cucumber (chopped into small pieces)
• Small bunch of fresh coriander (cilantro, roughly chopped)
• 2 tsp black and white sesame seeds

How to Make Korean Chicken Bao Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Bao Dough

Start by making the bao buns. Place the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a bowl and mix together.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

Add the milk, warm water, and butter to a jug and stir together until the butter melts.

Step 3: Combine Mixtures

Stir the liquid mixture into the flour mixture at first with a spoon, then continue mixing with your hands. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Let Dough Prove

Place the dough in an oiled bowl. Cover it with clingfilm or a damp tea towel and let it prove until doubled in size—about 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Step 5: Marinate Chicken

Meanwhile, prepare your chicken by placing it in a bowl. Add buttermilk, salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Step 6: Shape Bao Buns

Once the dough has proved, tip it onto a floured surface again. Knead briefly before splitting it into 20 balls. Roll each ball into an oval shape using baking parchment underneath.

Step 7: Fold Bao Buns

Brush each oval with olive oil. Fold over each oval using a chopstick in the middle to create space in the fold for cooking later.

Step 8: Prove Again

Place each bun on small pieces of baking parchment. Cover trays with clingfilm or a carrier bag without letting it touch the dough. Leave to prove again for about an hour until puffed up.

Step 9: Prepare Oil for Frying

Preheat your oven on low heat to keep cooked chicken warm while you fry. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan until hot enough for frying.

Step 10: Mix Crispy Coating Ingredients

In a small bowl combine all crispy coating ingredients.

Step 11: Coat Chicken Pieces

Lift pieces of marinated chicken from buttermilk allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the crispy coating mixture until fully covered.

Step 12: Fry Chicken

Carefully add coated chicken pieces into hot oil without overcrowding. Cook for about 3-5 minutes until golden brown; ensure they are cooked through by checking they’re no longer pink inside.

Step 13: Keep Chicken Warm

Transfer fried chicken to an oven tray to keep warm while cooking remaining batches.

Step 14: Steam Bao Buns

Set up your steamer pan over boiling water. Place bao buns inside it on baking parchment—steam for about 10 minutes until fluffy.

Step 15: Prepare Sauce

While cooking chicken and buns, combine gochujang paste with honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic & ginger as well as vegetable oil & sesame oil in a saucepan; stir well then bring it to boil before simmering until thickened—about five minutes.

Step 16: Coat Fried Chicken in Sauce

Pour prepared sauce over all cooked chicken pieces in a bowl; toss together gently until evenly coated.

Step 17: Stuff Bao Buns

Carefully open steamed bao buns and stuff them generously with Korean chicken.

Step 18: Garnish Before Serving

Top stuffed bao with slices of red onion, cucumber pieces, fresh coriander leaves (cilantro), and sprinkle sesame seeds before serving warm.

Enjoy your delicious Korean Chicken Bao Recipe!

How to Serve Korean Chicken Bao Recipe

These Korean Chicken Bao are not only delicious but also versatile in how you can serve them. Here are some creative serving suggestions to elevate your meal experience.

Casual Gatherings

• Family-style platter: Arrange the bao buns and Korean chicken on a large platter for a casual sharing experience.
• DIY bao station: Set up a self-serve station with various toppings, allowing guests to customize their own baos.

Appetizers

• Small bites: Cut the bao in half and serve them as bite-sized appetizers during parties or gatherings.
• Dipping sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces like soy sauce, chili sauce, or sesame dressing for added flavor.

Themed Nights

• Korean BBQ night: Pair the bao with other Korean dishes such as kimchi or bulgogi for a complete dining experience.
• Asian fusion party: Incorporate this dish into an Asian-themed menu along with sushi rolls and spring rolls.

How to Perfect Korean Chicken Bao Recipe

To achieve the best results with your Korean Chicken Bao, follow these tips for optimal texture and flavor.

• Use warm water: Ensure your water is warm but not hot when making the dough; this activates the yeast effectively.
• Knead properly: Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic for the ideal bao texture.
• Let it prove adequately: Allow your dough enough time to rise; this is crucial for fluffy buns.
• Don’t overcrowd while frying: Fry chicken in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Steam buns carefully: Use parchment paper under each bun while steaming to prevent sticking.
• Experiment with toppings: Feel free to add extra toppings like pickled vegetables or spicy mayo for a personalized touch.

Best Side Dishes for Korean Chicken Bao Recipe

Pairing side dishes with your Korean Chicken Bao can enhance your overall meal. Here are some excellent options to consider:

1. Kimchi: A traditional fermented vegetable dish that adds tanginess and spice, balancing the richness of the bao.
2. Cucumber Salad: Fresh cucumbers tossed in vinegar create a refreshing contrast against the savory chicken.
3. Edamame Beans: Lightly salted edamame provide a simple yet nutritious side that complements Asian flavors well.
4. Miso Soup: A warm bowl of miso soup offers comforting umami notes that work well with the bao’s stuffing.
5. Spring Rolls: Crispy vegetable spring rolls can add crunch and variety to your meal setup.
6. Sesame Noodles: Cold sesame noodles dressed in soy sauce and sesame oil provide a hearty yet light accompaniment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making your Korean Chicken Bao, avoiding a few common mistakes can elevate your dish significantly.

• Using cold ingredients: Cold ingredients can hinder the dough’s rise. Always use warm water and bring other ingredients to room temperature.
• Overcrowding the frying pan: Adding too many chicken pieces at once can lower the oil temperature, resulting in soggy chicken. Fry in batches for crispy results.
• Not letting the dough rise enough: Skipping or shortening the proving time can result in dense bao buns. Allow the dough to double in size for light and fluffy buns.
• Skipping the marinade: Rushing the marination process can lead to bland chicken. Allow at least an hour for flavors to penetrate.
• Not preheating the steamer: Steaming cold buns will lead to uneven cooking. Preheat your steamer for consistent results.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store leftover Korean Chicken Bao in an airtight container.
• They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing Korean Chicken Bao Recipe

• Place cooled bao buns and chicken in separate airtight containers or freezer bags.
• They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Reheating Korean Chicken Bao Recipe

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap bao in foil and heat for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
• Microwave: Place bao on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat for 30-second intervals until warm.
• Stovetop: Steam bao over boiling water for about 5-7 minutes until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about the Korean Chicken Bao Recipe that might help you out.

What is a Korean Chicken Bao Recipe?

The Korean Chicken Bao Recipe features soft steamed buns filled with crispy, seasoned chicken, making it a delicious handheld treat perfect for any occasion.

Can I customize my Korean Chicken Bao?

Absolutely! You can add your favorite toppings like pickled vegetables or different sauces to enhance flavor and texture.

How do I make my bao buns softer?

Ensuring proper kneading and allowing ample proving time before steaming are key factors in achieving soft bao buns.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare both the chicken and bao ahead of time. Store them separately as instructed above, then reheat when ready to serve.

Final Thoughts

The Korean Chicken Bao Recipe is not just a delightful appetizer; it’s also versatile enough to suit various tastes. Feel free to customize it with your favorite ingredients or toppings for a personalized touch. Enjoy impressing your guests with this fantastic party food!