You will love this easy Kalbi Chicken recipe — bold Korean barbecue flavors, and juicy marinated chicken legs in air fryer are simple and tasty. You only need a few ingredients and 30 minutes to enjoy this mouthwatering kalbi chicken dish - you'll feel like you're actually eating at a Korean bbq place!
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The Kalbi Chicken Legs in Air Fryer is a versatile, delicious dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or meal prep. Its delicious blend of marinated chicken (you have the option to use the chicken parts that you want - chicken drumsticks, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or chicken wings) , fluffy rice, and bold Korean flavors makes it a satisfying and hearty meal - just like an actual Korean bbq!
This chicken legs in air fryer dish draw inspiration from another recipe on this site, such as the Korean Beef Rice Bowl, and pairs complements perfectly with the fantastic Garlic Braised Kale or Sesame Braised Cabbage side dishes.
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Ingredients for Kalbi Chicken Legs
- Chicken quarters
- Apple
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Green onion
- Soy sauce
- Mirin
- Sesame oil
- Rice vinegar
- Sugar
- Pepper
- Sesame seeds, optional - for toppings
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to make Kalbi Chicken Legs in Air Fryer
Combine all marinade ingredients in the blender.
Cut slits in the chicken legs.
Combine the chicken legs and marinade in a ziploc bag or an airtight container. Marinate for 1-2 hours.
Air fry the chicken legs at 365° for 25 minutes, flipping halfway until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Prepare the Marinade:
- In a blender, combine grated apple, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped green onion, soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, cooking oil, rice vinegar, sugar, pepper, and sesame seeds. Blitz until well combine.
Marinate the Chicken:
- Cut slits into the chicken. You can also use perilla leaves to brighten up the flavors.
- Place the chicken quarters in a large zip-top bag or baking dish.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for more unique flavor.
Preheat Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Air Fry the Chicken:
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess.
- Place the chicken quarters in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece.
- Cook in the preheated air fryer for about 25-30 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Serve:
- Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a 4-5 minutes before serving.
- Best served with fresh white rice, your favorite steamed vegetables and a salad.
- Garnish with additional chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired.
No air fryer?
Grill, roast, or pan-fry.
Grill the chicken legs:
- Preheat the grill.
- Grill the chicken on medium heat, turning it a few times until fully cooked at 165 degrees internal temperature.
Substitutions
- Chicken Quarters: You can substitute chicken quarters with boneless chicken thighs, skinless chicken thighs, skinless chicken breasts, chicken wings, drumsticks, or chicken meat (e meats or dark meat) .
- Apple: Substitute apple with pear or kiwi for a similar sweetness and fruity flavor.
- Ginger: For convenience, replace fresh ginger with ground ginger, Korean chili paste (gochujang), or ginger paste. Adjust the quantity based on taste.
- Garlic: Use garlic powder or minced garlic from a jar if fresh garlic is unavailable.
- Green Onion: Substitute green onion with chives, onion powder, or regular onions for a milder flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos as a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce.
- Mirin: For mirin, use a combination of rice vinegar (rice wine vinegar) and sugar. Alternatively, you can use a sweet white wine or sweet sherry
- Sesame Oil: Substitute sesame oil with toasted sesame oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil. Keep in mind that toasted sesame oil has a more intense flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: You can replace rice vinegar with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- Sugar: Substitute sugar with honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave nectar for a natural sweetener.
- Pepper: Use black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes based on your preference for spiciness.
Variations
Spicy - Add gochujang (Korean chili paste) or gochujaru (Korean red pepper flakes) to add a spicy kick to your chicken.
Sesame Chicken - Garnish your cooked kalbi chicken with toasted sesame seeds or drizzle with sesame oil before serving to add a nutty flavor.
Best Chicken Parts To Use For Kalbi Chicken
Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful, making them the perfect choice for kalbi chicken. Thighs hold up well to marinating and cooking, resulting in tender and very succulent meat.
Chicken Drumsticks: Drumsticks are another popular choice for kalbi. They have a good amount of meat on the bone and remain moist and tender when cooked. Plus, they're fun to eat with your hands - making it the ultimate meal experience!
Chicken Wings: Chicken wings can be marinated, grilled or baked to make delicious kalbi wings. They're perfect for korean bbq parties or as a snack because of their crispy skin and flavorful meat.
Chicken Breasts: Chicken breast is leaner and healthier than the other cuts, but it can still be used for kalbi. To keep the chicken breast moist and flavorful, be sure to marinate the chicken breasts for a longer period and cook it quickly to prevent drying out.
Equipment
- Blender
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Mixing bowl
- Large ziploc bag
- Air fryer or grill
Storage
Storing and reheating a Kalbi Chicken Chicken Legs in Air Fryer is easy.
Storing:
- Let the chicken legs cool down and store in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
- Chicken: Reheat the Kalbi Chicken in the air fryer or microwave or on the stovetop.
Top tips for success
Cut slits into the chicken for better flavor
- Cut slits into the chicken so that the marinade can penetrate better.
Marinate for Flavor:
- Grill or broil the marinated chicken pieces for a delicious char, giving it that authentic Kalbi taste.
No air fryer? No problem. Grill, roast or pan-fry
- Grill (just like Korean bbq), roast, or pan fry the marinated chicken legs for a delicious char, giving it that authentic kalbi taste.
Best Kalbi Chicken - FAQ
Kalbi is a well-known Korean food made with marinated beef or pork ribs. The term "kalbi" or "galbi" translates to "ribs" in Korean. Kalbi meat typically consists of beef ribs, which are thinly sliced across the bones. Since it’s a popular Korean food, kalbi is typically enjoyed in Korean BBQ restaurants or cooked at home.
Chicken kalbi is a Korean food made with marinated chicken pieces - either chicken breast, chicken drumsticks/legs, or chicken thighs - typically using a blend of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, ginger, and other seasonings. It’s known for its bold and savory flavors, similar to Korean BBQ.
Kalbi chicken pairs well with steamed rice, kimchi, pickled vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
Marinating times can vary depending on personal preference and the recipe. In general, marinating Korean BBQ chicken for at least 1-2 hours allows the flavors to penetrate the meat. For optimal flavor, marinating Korean BBQ chicken in the refrigerator can enhance the taste.
Kalbi can last in the fridge for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.
Chicken kalbi is done when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear. Cooking time varies based on the method used (grilling, broiling, etc.), so use a meat thermometer to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Both popular Korean recipes, the cooking process of kalbi and bulgogi is completely different. Kalbi sauce tends to be on the sweeter side and typically includes soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. Bulgogi sauce, on the other hand, is slightly more savory and is often made with soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and pear for a sweeter flavor.
Related
Looking for other chicken recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
Here are some great side dishes to go with this kalbi chicken:
Kalbi Chicken Legs in Air Fryer
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a blender, combine grated apple, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped green onion, soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, pepper, and sesame seeds. Blitz until well combined.
- Cut slits into the chicken.
- Place the chicken quarters in a large zip-top bag or baking dish.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for more flavor.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess.
- Place the chicken quarters in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece.
- Cook in the preheated air fryer for about 25-30 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Grill the chicken legs:
- Preheat the grill.
- Grill the chicken on medium heat, turning it a few times until fully cooked at 165 degrees internal temperature.
- Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with additional chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Cut slits into the chicken so that the marinade can penetrate better.
- Grill or broil the marinated chicken pieces for a delicious char, giving it that authentic Kalbi taste.
- Grill, roast, or pan-fry the marinated chicken legs for a delicious char, giving it that authentic kalbi taste.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Food safety
- Cook to the chicken legs in the air fryer to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
I hope you enjoy making this delicious Kalbi Chicken recipe!
Martin says
Kalbi marinade is 10 over 10 especially cause i marinate it overnight. Really draws out the flavor.
Sharma says
i take some kalbi sauce of yours and put it on top of my rice and chicken, Its perfect
Nora says
W (winner)
Jordan David says
So easy and so juicy!! Flavor was a 10/10 and making this in the airfryer was to perfection 👌
Megan L says
My kids are so picky and they keep asking for this chicken!! New staple in our house and very straight forward to make.