Description
This homemade chicken bulgogi recipe offers a flavorful and spicy Korean-inspired dish made with tender chicken thighs marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, gochujang, garlic, and ginger. Cooked in a skillet and finished with sesame seeds and green onions, it’s perfect served hot with steamed rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Oils
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Marinade
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Finishing Touches
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Heat the oils. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil and sesame oil, allowing the oils to warm up before adding the chicken.
- Prepare the chicken. While the oils are heating, cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized strips for even cooking.
- Cook the chicken. Once the oils are hot, carefully place the chicken pieces in the skillet. Cook them, stirring occasionally, for about 7 to 10 minutes until they are browned and fully cooked through.
- Make the marinade. While the chicken cooks, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, gochujang, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper in a small bowl to form the marinade.
- Add marinade to chicken. Reduce the heat to medium and pour the prepared marinade over the cooked chicken, stirring well to coat each piece evenly.
- Thin and simmer sauce. Add 1/4 cup water to the skillet and stir to combine, allowing the sauce to thin slightly. Continue to cook the chicken for another 3 to 5 minutes, letting the sauce simmer and thicken to a glossy finish.
- Finish with sesame and onions. Remove the skillet from heat, then sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the chicken. Give a final stir to mix in the garnishes.
- Serve. Serve the hot chicken bulgogi immediately with steamed rice or your preferred side dish for an authentic Korean meal experience.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of gochujang to control the spice level.
- Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness and flavor, but chicken breasts can be used if desired.
- For extra depth, marinate the chicken in the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Serve with kimchi or steamed vegetables for a complete Korean-inspired meal.
