Ramen with Crispy Chicken and Kimchi

This vibrant and flavorful dish combines the best of Japanese and Korean cuisines, featuring crispy, golden chicken paired with tender ramen noodles in a kimchi-spiked broth. Achieving perfectly browned chicken thighs with irresistibly crisp skin is made possible by using a heavy weight (such as a Dutch oven) to press them down while cooking. Before cooking, the chicken is seasoned with five-spice powder, adding warm spice notes to every bite. The dish comes alive with the addition of kimchi, a spicy Korean pickled vegetable, along with its pickling liquid for an extra kick of flavor. Minced cilantro provides a fresh and fragrant finish to this delightful fusion dish. It’s important to use ramen noodles specifically for this recipe, as they complement the flavors and textures of the dish perfectly. Kimchi can be found in the refrigerated section of your local market. Get ready to savor the harmonious blend of tastes from two vibrant culinary traditions.

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ teaspoon five-spice powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 8 (6 to 8-ounce) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, trimmed
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups cabbage kimchi, drained, with ⅓ cup pickling liquid reserved
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups water
• 4 (3-ounce) packages of ramen noodles, seasoning packets discarded
• 3 tablespoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ⅓ cup minced fresh cilantro

PREPARATIONS:

1. In a bowl, combine the five-spice powder and salt. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with the spice mixture.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add the chicken, skin side down, and place a heavy pot or weight on top. Cook until the skin is deep mahogany brown and very crisp, about 15 to 20 minutes. (The chicken should be moderately browned after 10 minutes; adjust the heat as necessary.)
3. Remove the weight, flip the chicken over, and reduce the heat to medium. Continue to cook the chicken without the weight until it reaches an internal temperature of 175 degrees Fahrenheit, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
4. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the fat in the skillet. Add the drained kimchi and minced garlic and cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the chicken broth, water, and reserved kimchi liquid.
5. Break the ramen noodles into chunks and add them to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, tossing the ramen constantly with tongs to separate the noodles, until they are just tender but there is still liquid in the pan, about 2 minutes.
6. Stir in the Chinese rice wine, soy sauce, and sugar until well incorporated. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the minced cilantro.
7. Serve the kimchi ramen with the crispy chicken thighs.

YIELD: This recipe serves 4 people.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• To achieve crispy skin, it is essential to press the chicken thighs down with a heavy weight while cooking.
• Use caution when handling the hot skillet and boiling liquid.

TIPS:

• Customize the level of spiciness by adding more or less kimchi and its pickling liquid.
• Garnish the dish with additional cilantro or sliced green onions for added freshness.
• Enjoy the dish with a side of steamed rice for a more substantial meal.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:

• Calories: 546
• Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 166mg
• Sodium: 1,673mg
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 37g

This vibrant dish brings together the best of Japanese and Korean flavors, combining crispy chicken thighs with tender ramen noodles in a kimchi-spiked broth. By pressing the chicken thighs with weight during cooking, you achieve a wonderfully crispy skin while keeping the meat moist and flavorful. The five-spice powder adds warm spice notes to the chicken, complementing the spicy and tangy flavors of the kimchi. The ramen noodles cook perfectly in the savory broth, absorbing all the delicious flavors. Garnished with fresh cilantro, this dish offers a delightful fusion of tastes and textures. It’s an exciting blend of Japanese and Korean cuisines that will satisfy your cravings and introduce you to the harmonious marriage of flavors from these culinary traditions.