Name: Spicy Gochujang Chicken in 30 Minutes
Ingredients: 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs/breast: The main protein source, offering tenderness and flavor. Chicken thighs are particularly juicy, while breasts offer a leaner option.; ½ onion, diced: Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce. You can use yellow or white onion depending on your preference.; ⅓ cup cornstarch or potato starch: This is essential for coating the chicken, ensuring a crispy texture when fried.; ¼ cup neutral oil: Used for frying the chicken, a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil is ideal as it won’t impede the flavor.; 1 green onion, chopped (optional garnish): Offers a fresh, crisp finish to the dish.; ½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish): Adds a nutty flavor and visual appeal to the final dish.; 2 cloves garlic, minced: Provides a fragrant and savory base.; 2 tbsp granulated sugar (or honey/brown sugar): Balances the spiciness of the gochujang.; 2 tbsp gochujang: The star ingredient that offers a unique spicy-sweet flavor profile.; 2 tbsp soy sauce: Adds saltiness and umami depth to the sauce.; 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds: Enhances the nutty flavor of the dish.; 1 tsp toasted sesame oil: A potent flavor booster, adding richness to the sauce.; 1 tbsp cornstarch/potato starch: Helps thicken the sauce.; 1 cup cold or room temp water: Serves as the base for the sauce.

Description

Spicy Gochujang Chicken in 30 minutes: tender chicken coated in a smoky, spicy gochujang sauce for a quick and flavorful main dish.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs/breast: The main protein source, offering tenderness and flavor. Chicken thighs are particularly juicy, while breasts offer a leaner option.
½ onion, diced: Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce. You can use yellow or white onion depending on your preference.
⅓ cup cornstarch or potato starch: This is essential for coating the chicken, ensuring a crispy texture when fried.
¼ cup neutral oil: Used for frying the chicken, a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil is ideal as it won’t impede the flavor.
1 green onion, chopped (optional garnish): Offers a fresh, crisp finish to the dish.
½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish): Adds a nutty flavor and visual appeal to the final dish.

Sauce Ingredients:

2 cloves garlic, minced: Provides a fragrant and savory base.
2 tbsp granulated sugar (or honey/brown sugar): Balances the spiciness of the gochujang.
2 tbsp gochujang: The star ingredient that offers a unique spicy-sweet flavor profile.
2 tbsp soy sauce: Adds saltiness and umami depth to the sauce.
2 tsp toasted sesame seeds: Enhances the nutty flavor of the dish.
1 tsp toasted sesame oil: A potent flavor booster, adding richness to the sauce.
1 tbsp cornstarch/potato starch: Helps thicken the sauce.
1 cup cold or room temp water: Serves as the base for the sauce.

Instructions

Prepare the chicken: Dice 1 lb of skinless boneless chicken thighs/breast into 1.5-inch pieces and set them aside.
Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (or honey/brown sugar)
- 2 tbsp gochujang
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch/potato starch
- 1 cup cold or room temp water
Whisk together until smooth and set aside.
Coat the chicken: In a large bowl, toss the diced chicken in ⅓ cup of cornstarch until fully coated. This step is key for achieving that crispy texture.
Fry the chicken: Heat ¼ cup of neutral oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken pieces. Fry until they are golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes per side. Drain excess oil on a paper towel.
Sauté the onions: In the same pan, add the diced onions and sauté until they are translucent, which should take around 30-45 seconds. This will infuse the oil with onion flavor.
Combine the chicken and sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the pan. Allow it to simmer and thicken for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally.
Final assembly: Add the fried chicken back into the pan, tossing it in the thickened sauce until well coated. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds before serving.