Korean Gochujang Chicken Recipe
This Korean Gochujang Chicken recipe features tender chicken pieces marinated in a spicy, slightly sweet gochujang sauce and stir-fried with fresh vegetables. It’s a quick and flavorful one-skillet meal perfect for weeknight dinners, delivering authentic Korean flavors with minimal effort.
- Author: Lily
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb (450g) chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Garnishes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine gochujang, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, and pepper. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and stir well to coat evenly. Let the mixture marinate for at least 10 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a deeper flavor infusion.
- Heat the Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, preparing the pan for cooking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the sliced onion and bell pepper to the hot skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are softened but still slightly crisp. Remove them from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Using the same skillet, add the marinated chicken pieces. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Add Vegetables Back: Return the sautéed onions and bell peppers to the skillet with the chicken. Stir to combine the ingredients uniformly.
- Finish the Sauce: Allow everything to cook together for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. This helps the chicken absorb the flavors from the vegetables and sauce, creating a harmonious dish.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the finished dish to add color, texture, and extra flavor.
- Serve: Plate the Korean Gochujang Chicken while hot. It pairs well with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Marinating for longer than 10 minutes, up to 2 hours, enhances the depth of flavor.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier results; chicken breasts will be leaner.
- Adjust gochujang quantity for preferred spice level.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- This dish pairs excellently with steamed white rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
Keywords: Korean chicken, Gochujang chicken, spicy chicken stir-fry, Korean chili paste recipe, easy Korean dinner, stir-fried chicken