Low-Calorie Korean-Style Baked Chicken
Satisfy your cravings with this low-calorie Korean-style baked chicken. Succulent drumsticks are baked to perfection and glazed in a vibrant, sweet-and-spicy red sauce that won't derail your diet.
Korean fried chicken is globally beloved for its irresistible crunch and sticky, sweet-and-spicy glaze, but it often comes with a heavy calorie count. This baked version captures the soul of the classic dish—delivering bold flavors and a glossy, fiery sauce—while keeping things light. By removing the skin and baking instead of deep-frying, it achieves the perfect balance for a healthy, guilt-free meal.
Ingredients
- 8 whole chicken drumsticks (skinless)
- 1 tbsp rice wine
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 whole egg (beaten into liquid)
- 1 medium red onion (sliced)
- 2 tbsp Korean-style soul sauce base (or light soy sauce)
- 3 tbsp zero-calorie tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1Prep the chicken drumsticks
Using clean kitchen shears, carefully snip the meat of the skinless chicken drumsticks and push it downward to turn it inside out. This unique shape increases the surface area, helping the meat cook evenly and absorb the seasoning more effectively.
Tip: Make sure your kitchen shears are sharp to ensure clean cuts through the chicken meat without tearing it. - 2Season the chicken drumsticks
Place the prepared chicken drumsticks in a metal bowl. Add rice wine, salt, black pepper, oyster sauce, and egg liquid, ensuring all ingredients are well-incorporated to enhance flavor.
Tip: Using rice wine helps to eliminate any gamey odor from the chicken. - 3Marinate the chicken
Using a gloved hand, thoroughly massage the chicken with the seasonings. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat deeply.
Tip: Massaging the chicken ensures an even coating of the marinade on every piece. - 4Arrange on the baking tray
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread a layer of sliced red onions. Arrange the marinated chicken drumsticks neatly on top of the onions to prepare for baking.
Tip: The red onions act as a flavor base and prevent the chicken from sticking to the tray. - 5Bake the chicken
Place the baking tray into a preheated oven. Bake at 200 degrees for 25 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and golden brown.
Tip: Ensure the oven is fully preheated to 200 degrees before placing the tray inside for optimal results. - 6Prepare the spicy glaze
In a metal bowl, combine your savory soul sauce base, zero-calorie tomato ketchup, and chili powder. Whisk the ingredients together thoroughly until they form a smooth, vibrant dipping sauce.
Tip: You can adjust the amount of chili powder based on your heat preference. - 7Glaze the chicken
Transfer the baked chicken drumsticks into a mixing bowl containing the prepared spicy Korean-style sauce. Toss the chicken thoroughly until every piece is evenly and generously coated.
Tip: Ensure the chicken is hot when you add it to the sauce so the flavors meld together perfectly. - 8Garnish with sesame seeds
Finish the dish by generously sprinkling toasted white sesame seeds over the sauced chicken drumsticks. The seeds add a subtle nutty crunch and provide a beautiful contrast to the glossy red sauce.
Tip: Lightly toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan before sprinkling for a deeper, more aromatic flavor profile.
