Description
Spicy Korean Chicken is a flavorful and quick stir-fry dish featuring tender chicken thighs marinated in a vibrant blend of gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, and spices. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe offers a delicious balance of heat, sweetness, and umami, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds for an authentic Korean touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until smooth. This will create the flavorful base for the chicken.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours to deepen the flavors.
- Heat the Pan: Place a large skillet or wok on the stovetop over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Allow it to heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the hot skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. The chicken should be cooked through and develop a slight char on the edges for enhanced flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken. Serve the spicy Korean chicken hot, ideally with steamed rice or your choice of vegetables to complete the meal.
Notes
- To reduce the spice level, decrease the gochujang from 2 tablespoons to 1 tablespoon.
- Chicken breast can be substituted for thighs, but thighs retain more moisture and remain juicier during cooking.
