Dakdoritang (Korean Spicy Chicken Stew with Potatoes and Carrots)
Why this recipe works
- Layered chilli depth: Gochujang, gochugaru, garlic, ginger and soy sauce build a broth that is spicy, savoury and rounded rather than one-dimensional.
- Tender, hearty texture: Bone-in chicken thighs simmer gently with potatoes and carrots, giving the stew a satisfying mix of rich broth, tender meat and soft vegetables.
- Efficient one-pot method: The aromatics, sauce, chicken and vegetables all cook in the same pot, so the flavour develops without a complicated workflow.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For less heat: Reduce the gochugaru and keep the gochujang for body and savoury sweetness; the stew will still taste full without being as fiery.
- For more heat: Increase the gochugaru gradually, tasting the broth as it simmers so the chilli stays balanced with the soy sauce and chicken stock.
- Keep the heat rounded: A gentle simmer helps the chilli paste dissolve into the broth, giving a smoother heat than boiling the stew aggressively.
Ingredient notes
- Gochujang matters: Gochujang provides chilli heat, saltiness and fermented depth, so it should not be replaced with plain hot sauce.
- Use Korean gochugaru: Gochugaru has a distinctive coarse texture and fruity warmth that suits Korean stews better than generic chilli flakes.
- Choose bone-in chicken: Bone-in thighs or drumsticks give the broth more body and stay tender through the simmering time.
Common mistakes
- Boiling too hard: Keep the stew at a steady simmer; vigorous boiling can break up the potatoes and make the chicken less tender.
- Adding salt too early: Gochujang, soy sauce and stock already bring salt, so taste near the end before adding any extra seasoning.
- Adding vegetables too soon: Add the potatoes and carrots after the chicken has started cooking so they soften without collapsing into the broth.
Make-ahead tips
- Good the next day: The broth develops further after resting, making leftovers especially flavourful once gently reheated.
- Reheat gently: Warm the stew over medium-low heat until piping hot, adding a splash of water if the broth has thickened in the fridge.
- Freezer friendly: Cool the stew quickly, freeze in sealed containers, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating thoroughly.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Halve and slice the onion. Peel the garlic and ginger, then finely grate the ginger and crush the garlic.
- Heat the toasted sesame oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and starting to turn translucent.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Add the gochujang and gochugaru and cook for 1 minute, stirring, to toast the spices slightly.
- Pour in the soy sauce and chicken broth, scraping the base of the pot to loosen any stuck bits. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Add the chicken thighs, turning them so they are mostly submerged. Reduce to a steady simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and carrots, then cut them into chunky, bite-sized pieces. Trim the spring onions and slice them, keeping a small handful aside for serving.
- Add the potatoes and carrots to the pot, then return to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 to 18 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Stir in most of the spring onions and simmer uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes to slightly thicken the broth. Taste and adjust by simmering a little longer for a stronger, more concentrated flavour.
- Serve the stew hot, topped with the reserved spring onions. Spoon plenty of the spicy broth over each portion.
Recipe notes
Serving suggestions
This recipe pairs well with:
Tips
- For a cleaner, less oily broth, skim any foam from the surface during the first 10 minutes of simmering.
- Keep the simmer gentle so the potatoes hold their shape and the chicken stays tender.
- If serving vulnerable groups, make sure the chicken is fully cooked through and piping hot before serving.
Substitutions
- Replace Chicken thighs with Chicken drumsticks for a similar bone-in result; simmer until the meat is tender and cooked through.
- Replace Low-sodium chicken broth with Chicken stock for a richer, slightly saltier base, then reduce the Soy sauce to taste.
- Replace Toasted sesame oil with Olive oil for a milder finish, then add the spring onion at the end for freshness.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat until piping hot, adding a splash of water if the stew has thickened; freeze for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 3 servings
- Total time: 55min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Korean
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Allergens:
Sesame Soybeans
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