Sticky Honey Gochujang Chicken

$- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless - 3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste) - 4 tablespoons pure honey - 2 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon ginger, grated - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 teaspoon black pepper - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking - Sesame seeds - Sliced green onions - Steamed rice - Lettuce leaves {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather your ingredients. In a mixing bowl, add the gochujang, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Mix everything until it’s smooth and well blended. This marinade brings a sweet and spicy kick. You will love how it coats the chicken! Next, take your chicken thighs and place them in a large resealable plastic bag or bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Make sure every piece is coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes. For even better flavor, marinate it overnight. This step is key for tasty chicken! Now it's time to cook! Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting the extra drip off. Place the chicken in the skillet. Sear each side for about 5-7 minutes. You want it cooked through and caramelized. Use a meat thermometer to check that it reaches 165°F (75°C). Once cooked, pour any leftover marinade into the skillet. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to thicken the sauce. Finally, let the chicken rest before serving. Garnish it with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a beautiful finish! To make the best marinade, focus on balance. You want sweet, spicy, and savory. The gochujang gives heat, while honey adds sweetness. Use fresh ginger and garlic for more flavor. Mix all the ingredients well. A smooth marinade coats the chicken evenly. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, marinate overnight. This way, the chicken absorbs all the tasty goodness. Chicken thighs cook best when they are uniform in size. Cut them if needed to ensure even cooking. Before cooking, let the chicken come to room temperature. This step helps it cook more evenly. Heat your skillet until it's hot but not smoking. Sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (75°C) for safety. You can cook Sticky Honey Gochujang Chicken in different ways. If you prefer grilling, marinate the chicken as usual and grill it on medium heat. This adds a nice smoky flavor. You can also bake the chicken in the oven. Preheat to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 25-30 minutes. If using an air fryer, cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes. No matter how you cook it, the sticky sauce will bring joy to your table. Pro Tips Marinate Longer for Flavor: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken thighs overnight. This allows the marinade to penetrate the meat, enhancing its taste and tenderness. Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure your chicken is perfectly cooked, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption. Adjust Spice Levels: If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of gochujang or add a bit of honey to balance the heat. Always taste the marinade before adding it to the chicken. Serve with Fresh Sides: Complement the sticky chicken with fresh sides like steamed rice or lettuce wraps. This adds a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the dish. {{image_2}} If you love heat, add more gochujang. Start with one extra tablespoon. You can also mix in some chili flakes for even more spice. Try adding a splash of hot sauce to the marinade. This gives it a kick without changing the taste too much. You can swap chicken thighs for other proteins. Try using boneless chicken breasts for a leaner option. For a richer flavor, use pork belly. If you like seafood, shrimp works well too. Just adjust the cooking time. Shrimp cooks faster than chicken, so keep an eye on it. For a tasty vegetarian twist, use tofu or tempeh. Press the tofu to remove excess water. Then, cut it into cubes and marinate it like the chicken. Bake or pan-fry until golden. You can also try using cauliflower. Cut the cauliflower into florets and follow the same marinating steps. Both options soak up the sauce well and are delicious! After you enjoy your sticky honey gochujang chicken, store leftovers right away. Place the chicken in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to three days in the fridge. If you have extra sauce, store it separately to keep it from making the chicken soggy. To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Cook until the chicken is warm, about 5-7 minutes. You can also use a microwave. Heat it in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until warm. If you want to freeze the chicken, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can last up to three months in the freezer. For best taste, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Gochujang is a Korean chili paste. It is made from red chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. This paste has a deep, spicy, and sweet flavor. It adds heat and richness to dishes. You can find it in most grocery stores or Asian markets. It is a key ingredient in many Korean dishes. Yes, you can use chicken breasts instead of thighs. Chicken breasts are leaner and cook faster. However, thighs are juicier and have more flavor. If you choose breasts, cook them for less time. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). The marinade will still taste great with either cut. The dish has a mild to medium spice level. Gochujang brings a warm heat, but honey balances it out. If you want more heat, add extra gochujang. If you prefer less spice, use less gochujang or add more honey. Adjust it to fit your taste buds. Sticky Honey Gochujang Chicken pairs well with steamed rice or lettuce wraps. You can also add pickled vegetables for crunch. Serve it on a wooden board for a nice look. Top it with sesame seeds and green onions for extra flavor. In this post, we explored how to make Sticky Honey Gochujang Chicken. We covered ingredients, marinating, and cooking methods. I shared tips for a perfect cook and tasty variations. Don't forget to store leftovers safely and reheat them well. Trying these recipes brings new flavors to your meals. Experiment with your favorite sides and enjoy!$

Sticky Honey Gochujang Chicken

A deliciously sticky and spicy chicken dish made with gochujang and honey.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Course Main Course

Cuisine Korean

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
4 tablespoons pure honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking
Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine gochujang, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Mix well until you have a smooth marinade.
Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag or bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated well. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for more flavor).
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing the excess to drip off, and place the chicken in the skillet.
Sear the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side until cooked through and nicely caramelized. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Once the chicken is cooked, pour any remaining marinade into the skillet. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken.
Remove the skillet from heat and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving whole.
Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top for garnish.

Notes

Serve with steamed rice or lettuce leaves for a complete meal.

Keyword chicken, easy, gochujang, honey, spicy