Cooking a Korean meal can sometimes feel like a huge production. Alongside a warm bowl of rice, you have the "star" of the table (usually some type of soup, stew, marinated meat, or grilled fish) as well as multiple side dishes (a.k.a "banchan") of which kimchi is an absolute must. Of course, the banchans make their appearance all throughout the week, but the thought of preparing multiple dishes, requiring lots of bowls, pots, utensils, etc., is a bit daunting.
Source: Korean Bapsang
So on days when I crave Korean food but am too lazy to go out of my way, I resort to dishes like Korean Spicy Chicken and Potato stew, one of my and the Hungryman's favorites. It's basically a chicken and vegetable dish in spicy red sauce, and I'm perfectly content serving this alone alongside a bowl of rice.
While I normally cook it on the stovetop for several hours, time is of the essence more than ever these days. So when I came across Korean Bapsang's ingenious idea of using a slow-cooker, I just had to try it! BTW, if you haven't already, you must check out Ms. Hyosun's incredible blog, full of delicious, easy-t0-follow Korean recipes. I always ask my mom (who's hands down the best Korean cook I know..no bias here) to share her recipes w/me, but the woman never measures anything! (hmm...sounds like someone else I know) I would really like to put together "Mama Koo's Cookbook" and pass it down for generations to come. Hopefully that will happen...
Now onto the dish.. The night before, I prepped the chicken and veggies so that come morning, all that was left for me to do was pour the marinade over, mix thoroughly, and set the slow-cooker to do its thing...nice and slow. When I came home early that evening, the only thing I had to do was transfer to a large plate and scoop the rice.
While my sister (and I'm sure plenty of others) will throw a tantrum...I served it with brown rice. Apparently I didn't get the memo that white rice is the only viable option with this dish. The Hungryman is a staunch supporter of this view, but he's long given up hope in our kitchen. Brown rice reigns supreme here..along with purple rice...and sometimes w/beans.
The chicken was tender and luscious while the veggies were perfectly softened. They slid effortlessly onto my fork. Thanks, slow-cooker! While there was a good amount of liquid or sauce at the bottom to coat the ingredients, it wasn't enough for me to call this dish a "stew." No biggie. It made for a one satisfying, hearty meal, nonetheless. Hope you give this recipe a try!
Question:
What are your favorite slow-cooker recipes? I would love it if you would share them on my Facebook page! You can never have enough of them. 😉
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of potatoes, cut into large chunks
- 2 large carrots, cut into large chunks
- 1 medium onion, cut into large chunks
Sauce
- 3 Tbs Korean chili flakes
- 2 Tbs Korean chili paste
- 4 Tbs low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tbs mirin
- 2 Tbs honey or corn syrup
- 1 Tbs sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- toppings: sesame seeds, green onion
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and mix well.
- Add prepared chicken and vegetables to crockpot. Stir in sauce and mix well until evenly incorporated.
- Cover and cook for 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high until the chicken is fully cooked. Once done, stir in chopped green onion. Top with sesame seeds and serve with rice.
Nutrition
Emma says
Hi Min,
Came across this after enjoying your non-spicy version. How spicy is this? My toddler can handle some spice, but not sure if this would be way too much for him. Will it work just reducing the chilli amounts?
Min says
Hi! It is quite spicy so def reduce the amounts!
Kelsey says
Hello! Would it be okay to cook on low for longer than 4 hours? I want to throw this in before work and then have it be done by the time I'm off. I work an 8 hour day though :S
Min says
Sure! 6-8 hours should work. Just make sure to cut your potatoes a bit larger so they don't get all mushy!
Diana says
Hi Min, I have a slow cooker that can take up to 3.5qt and was wondering if its too small for this recipe? ps. I love the idea of mixing white and sweet potatoes together!
Min says
Hi Diana! Yes, the slow cooker is a bit small, so I'd advise you to half the recipe ;). Enjoy!
sarah @ the magical slow cooker says
New follower here, and I wanted to tell you your photos are gorgeous! Pinning this amazing recipe. have a great day!
Min says
Thank you so much for stopping by! I look forward to following you as well 😉
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
When I first saw that photo of all the banchan dishes, I thought you made all that! I don't blame you for wanting to make a one-dish dinner instead. I haven't tried many Korean recipes, but I really want to try this. If I can't find all the ingredients at our regular stores, we have lots of great Asian supermarkets around here. It will be a fun new dinner to try!
I included this in my slow cooker roundup last week. Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Saturday Night Fever! Hope to see you tonight 🙂
Nelli says
Wondering about the Spicy Chicken and Potatoes. What kind of potatoes are used in this dish? White Rose, Russet, Sweet Potato????
Also, you mentioned preparing the chicken the day before. What prep is done? Just cutting and removing the skin?
sounds super good and there are at least 3 Asian (2 are Korean) markets within 30 min of me so can't wait to try this dish! 🙂
Min says
Hi Nelli! I used russet potatoes this time, but you can use whatever kind you prefer. I like to add a combination sometimes (russets and sweet potatoes) to please everyone ;). Sometimes when I'm pressed for time, I like to prep the chicken (trimming the fat, cutting) as well as the vegetables the night before so that when I wake up, I can just throw everything into the crockpot, pour the marinade over, set the time, and walk away ;). Hope this helps. I can't wait for you to try! Let me know how it turns out!!
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
This looks gorgeous. I love how easy this dish is! We would enjoy it more then likely with brown rice in our house too but the kids like white rice so once in awhile I'll do a 50/50 mix of white and brown and they can't tell the difference! I pinned this to my crock pot board! Thanks for sharing!
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
This looks AMAZING and you must write your mama's cookbook some day - I would definitely buy it for sure! I'm off to check out Ms. Hyosum's blog....
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I love Hyosun's blog too! Very informative and recipes are great! I really want to get a slow cooker. So easy to make this with slow cooker and hard to pass! I just need more kitchen space or clean up the garage space so I can place the slow cooker. =P This looks great! I need rice and meal will be just perfect!
Min says
Hi Nami! Yes, she's an amazing woman! You MUST get a slow cooker! I can't live without it...I don't really have time during the week to cook so it's nice to have the option of throwing various ingredients in, pushing the on button and stepping away. The house smells incredible when I come home...It's the best feeling ;).
Pdot says
Did you use boneless or bone-in chicken thighs/breasts? I would have assumed boneless, except when I clicked on the link to Korean Bapsang, I see that she used bone-in for her recipe.
Min says
Hi there! So sorry for the confusion. I used boneless chicken simply bc I always have them on hand in my freezer. Oftentimes bone-in chicken has skin on it, and while it keeps the meat moist, since this is a stew and I like to soak the rice in the liquid, I didn't want all that fat in there. Hope this helped answer your question!
Christie - Food Done Light says
I love this recipe! Pinned it to make. My husband will absolutely love it. I, too, will have to serve it with white rice. My hubby is from India so rice is white! I love brown rice though. Someday I will manage to get he and my daughter to eat brown rice!
Min says
Hi Christie! Can't wait for you and your husband to try this dish ;). Haha don't give up! They will come around..someday.
Emily @ Simple Life Of A Fire Wife says
Love this recipe! And being in a Crock Pot is just awesome 🙂 Can't wait to try it and I look forward to following you and seeing what other great ideas you have! Thanks for sharing at Share Your Stuff Tuesdays.
Min says
Thank you so much, Emily for stopping by!
Kimiko says
Korean chicken in a SLOW COOKER? You are amazing...I so needed this recipe in my life right now. PS: I'm with you all the way on serving it with brown rice. We rarely eat white rice here. 🙂
Min says
Hi Kimiko! I wish I could take credit for the ingenious idea but all the credit goes to Ms. Hyosun ;).
Yay! A fellow brown rice lover!! It's been a LONG time since we last ate white rice...no wonder Tim's been begging to dine at a Korean restaurant. He specifically orders white as snow rice and eats to his heart's content.
Amy | Club Narwhal says
Min, this looks awesome! And I love that you can make this in the crock pot, aka, my best friend (especially during the fall :). Hopping over to Korean Bapsang, since I cannot get enough Korean food in my life!
Min says
Haha crock pot is my best friend too...along with Keurig, food processor, stand mixer... 😉
You're going to love her site!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I love the sweet and spicy combo. Honestly, though I love eating it, I am always so afraid to try any Korean cooking. So I was so glad to see that these ingredients aren't scary at all. I need a source for the Korean Chili flakes though. Where do you get it?
Min says
Hi Katie! Thank you for stopping by ;). The sweet and spicy combo is a common theme in Korean cooking. Our ancestors sure knew what they were doing :). As for the chili flakes, I've only seen them in Asian markets. Do you have one that's close to you? Let me know if you ever need help with another Korean dish you want to try. Oftentimes, it just comes down to having the basic condiments (e.g. Korean chili paste, fermented soybean paste, soy sauce, sesame oil).
Alisha @ Gluten Free Perspective says
Min! This looks gorgeous and delicious. I love hearing about food from around the world. All the Korean food you showcase is one of my favorite parts about your blog.
Min says
Thank you, Alisha! I hope to share more Korean recipes in the future.
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
I am always amazed when meals involve many separate dishes. I just don't have the patience! It's a work of art indeed - and this looks great 🙂
Min says
Haha yes...it does test your patience ;). But there's nothing like sitting down to a table with an assortment of dishes! And then comes the time for washing for them...now that's no fun.
Jennie says
This looks good! I think my husband will love it!
Come link up with me today!
https://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
Min says
Thanks for the invite, Jennie!
dixya| food, pleasure, and health says
im all about one pot dishes and hearty stew. I will definitely think about this dish 🙂
Min says
Me too 🙂 I can't wait for you to try this, Dixya!