Best Kalbi Chicken Legs Recipe in Air Fryer Recipe
This Best Kalbi Chicken Legs recipe uses a flavorful Korean-style marinade featuring apple, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, perfectly cooked in an air fryer for juicy, tender chicken with a caramelized glaze. Marinating overnight enhances the rich umami taste, while a quick grill finish gives a smoky touch. Easy, quick, and delicious!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (includes marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying and Grilling
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 Chicken quarters
Kalbi Marinade
- ½ apple, grated
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup mirin
- 2 inches fresh ginger, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Sesame seeds, optional for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a blender, combine the grated apple, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped green onion, soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and some sesame seeds. Blitz the mixture until it forms a smooth, well-combined marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Cut slits into the chicken quarters to help the marinade penetrate. Place the chicken into a large zip-top bag or a baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to preheat at 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for cooking the chicken evenly and quickly.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Arrange the chicken quarters in the air fryer basket with space between each piece to allow air circulation. Cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the exterior is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring thorough cooking.
- Grill the Chicken Legs: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Transfer the chicken legs and grill, turning occasionally until fully cooked and slightly charred for smoky flavor. Confirm internal temperature is 165°F (74°C) before removal.
- Serve: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking. Garnish with extra chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious kalbi flavor.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate chicken overnight.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Adjust sugar quantity to taste or substitute with other sweeteners for dietary needs.
- Grilling is optional but adds a smoky finish that enhances flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking.
- Can substitute chicken quarters with chicken thighs for similar results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken quarter (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Kalbi chicken, Korean chicken recipe, air fryer chicken legs, marinated chicken, easy air fryer recipes, Korean barbecue chicken
