Crispy chicken coated in a spicy, sweet, smoky sauce packed with gochujang flavor! This easy spicy gochujang chicken recipe is ready in 30-minutes with simple ingredients! Delicious as a main dish with rice and veggies or for meal prep on busy weeknights.
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This quick chicken stir-fry recipe is inspired by my love for Korean fried chicken but my version is shallow-fried and less labor intensive (woo hoo!) so you're going to love it!
What is Gochujang?
Gochujang is a delicious Korean red chili paste that tastes spicy, smoky, sweet and savory. The texture of this paste is thick and sticky. It also has different spice levels ranging from mild to very hot, so pick wisely!
What is gochujang sauce made of?
Gochujang is a red paste made of Korean chili flakes, sticky rice (or glutinous rice), salt and soybeans that have been through a fermentation process.
Where do I find gochujang?
Korean grocery stores will carry gochujang paste in the sauce aisle and it comes in a red rectangle tub, with the spice level indicated. Once you open the package, store it in the fridge and it'll last several months or before expiry.
Ingredient & Substitutes
Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: I prefer using skinless boneless chicken thighs for that tender dark meat and to make the preparation process easier. But feel free to substitute with chicken breast for a leaner alternative. If you do, please reduce the cooking time.
- Onion or red onion
- Cornstarch: or substitute with potato starch to make our chicken crispy and golden. Avoid using rice flour or tapioca starch as these will make the chicken stick together in the pan.
- Neutral oil: like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil. Avoid olive oil, coconut oil or any heavy scented oils.
- Green onion or spring onions: optional but recommended for color and flavor
- Toasted sesame seeds: optional so feel free to omit if you're allergic
Gochujang Stir-Fry Sauce
- Garlic cloves
- White granulated sugar: or substitute with honey, maple syrup or brown sugar. The sugar is necessary for that sweet flavor.
- Gochujang paste: a Korean red chili paste that offers a spicy, sweet and smoky flavor. The Korean market will carry this ingredient.
- Regular soy sauce: or substitute with low sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce. If you’re gluten-free, substitute with tamari sauce, coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce of your choice.
- Toasted sesame seeds: omit if allergic as this is optional
- Toasted sesame oil: to add a nutty flavor. If you're allergic, omit altogether.
- Cornstarch: or substitute with potato starch. This helps thicken the sauce.
- Room temperature water
Note: Most Asian grocers will carry these ingredients. You may find some at your select grocery store or online, like on Amazon.
Expert Tips
Follow these helpful tips for success:
- Prepare ingredients ahead of time as the cooking process is fast.
- Do not pat dry the chicken! You need some moisture on the chicken so the starch can adhere to it.
- Evenly dice the chicken so they fry consistently.
- Use a heavy bottomed pan if possible as this maintains the oil temperature.
- Make sure oil is hot enough before frying, around 325-350 degrees F. To check if oil is hot, use a digital instant read thermometer or insert a wooden chopstick into the oil and look for bubbles. If you see bubbles, the oil is hot.
- Fry in small batches and do not overcrowd the pan because this reduces the oil temperature leading to less crispy chicken or possibly undercooked chicken.
- Spread chicken apart after tossing into pan. This allows for each piece to develop a crust.
- Avoid stir frying the chicken. This prevents it from getting crispy.
- Drain the fried chicken on a wire rack or paper-towel lined plate to remove excess oil which leads to soggy chicken.
Instructions
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make this gochujang chicken:
- Dice chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces. Place chicken in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine Sauce ingredients as listed. Set aside.
- Into your large bowl of diced chicken, add cornstarch. Toss until chicken is evenly coated in starch.
- In a large pan on medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil or any neutral oil. Fry coated chicken until golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes on each side. Remove and transfer to a wire rack or paper-towel lined plate to drain off excess oil.
- On medium-high heat, fry onions until translucent, about 30-45 seconds.
- Pour in sauce to simmer to thicken.
- Once the sauce has thickened, reduce to medium heat. Toss in fried chicken to coat evenly. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Storage
- Leftovers will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat: microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot or reheat in a pan on medium heat.
- Freezer friendly? Gochujang chicken can be stored in a freezer friendly bag and frozen up to 3 months or until you see freezer burn. To reheat, defrost it and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in a pan.
Pairing Suggestions
Gochujang chicken serves well with:
- starters like egg rolls, crab rangoons, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup
- white or brown rice, cauliflower rice, fried rice, chow mein, lo mein, plain noodles, soup noodles
- cooked vegetables like bok choy, spicy garlic bok choy, choy sum, gai lan, garlic green beans, stir fried snow pea leaves, or zucchini, mushrooms, steamed broccoli, cauliflower, or bell peppers.
- protein dishes like Mongolian Beef, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Bang Bang Shrimp, Gochujang Chicken, Soy Garlic Tofu, Chinese Braised Tofu and more!
FAQ
This can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To enjoy, reheat it in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop on medium heat.
Yes! To air fry, follow these instructions:
Line the air fryer basket with air fryer parchment paper or lightly spray the basket with neutral oil.
Place coated chicken in a single layer giving each piece enough space. Do not overlap. You may need to air fry in small batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Lightly spray the coated chicken with neutral oil.
Air fry at 400 degrees F for 10-14 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
There are different ways to use this versatile red chili paste in Korean cooking as it's key ingredient in Korean cuisine. You can use it in spicy sauces, in Korean BBQ to marinate meats like in Dak Galbi or Jeyuk Bokkeum, Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Base Stew), noodles like Bibim Guksu, Korean rice cakes or tteokbokki, Kimchi Fried Rice and more!
Other recipes you may enjoy
📖 Recipe
Quick & Easy Gochujang Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs or skinless boneless chicken breast
- ½ onion diced
- ⅓ cup cornstarch or potato starch
- ¼ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- 1 green onion finely chopped (optional garnish)
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds toasted (optional garnish)
Sauce:
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon white granulated sugar or sub with honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon Gochujang
- 2 tablespoon regular soy sauce (not dark soy sauce)
- 2 teaspoon sesame seeds toasted
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil toasted
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch
- 1 cup water cold or room temperature
Instructions
- Dice chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces. Place chicken in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine Sauce ingredients as listed. Set aside.
- Into your large bowl of diced chicken, add cornstarch. Toss until chicken is evenly coated in starch.
- In a large pan on medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil or any neutral oil. Fry coated chicken until golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes on each side. Remove and transfer to a wire rack or paper-towel lined plate to drain off excess oil.
- On medium-high heat, fry onions until translucent, about 30-45 seconds.
- Pour in sauce to simmer to thicken.
- Once the sauce has thickened, reduce to medium heat. Toss in fried chicken to coat evenly. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
R
Excellent! Easy to make and quick to prepare! Full of flavor and the whole family loved it ❤️
Christie Lai
Happy to hear that the whole family loved it, thank you for making it!
Sara
This recipe was so easy to make. I adjusted the quantities as I made a larger batch. I added a bit of rice vinegar to just give it that slightly tangy kick, and some peppers. Came out lovely.
Christie Lai
Thanks so much for making it! Glad you enjoyed it!