This honey gochujang chicken comes together in about 30 minutes and is made in just one pan for a quick and easy meal your family will love! Switch up the veggies or even the protein to suit your taste, or use it as a way to clean out the fridge you know, to get rid of those bits and bobs that are hanging around!
Ingredient Breakdown
What You Need
- 6 boneless chicken thighs (I like to keep the skin on for extra flavor!)
- 2 cloves of garlic (grated with a microplane trust me, it makes a difference)
- 3 stalks of green onions (white and green parts separated for that beautiful color and flavor)
- 2 tablespoons gochujang paste (this Korean chili paste is the star of our show)
- 2 tablespoons honey (for that perfectly sweet finish)
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (adds a lovely tang!)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (a flavor booster!)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
Each ingredient plays its part so well, it’s like a little culinary symphony! And if you’re wondering about substitutions, don’t sweat it. You could swap out chicken thighs for breasts, or even use tofu if you want it vegetarian. The best part about this recipe is its versatility.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Debone the Chicken (if necessary) : Make sure you have those chicken thighs boneless and skin-on. If you’re using bone-in, just pop ’em in a pan and make sure to adjust cooking time. The skin adds a great crisp, but if you’re looking to keep things lighter, you can always remove it.
Prepare the Marinade : Grab a mixing bowl and combine the gochujang paste, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Stir it all together until it’s a lovely, uniform mix. Just look at that rich reddish color! Seriously, it’s like the sunset in a bowl, and I just know it’s going to pack tons of flavor!
Mix the Marinade : Add in two cloves of grated garlic and the white parts of the green onions. You can add a couple of pinches of salt and pepper here too. This mix smells incredible!
Marinate the Chicken : Now, toss those chicken thighs in the marinade, coat ’em well! If you can, let them sit for about 10-15 minutes (or longer if you have time). The longer they marinate, the more flavor will work its way into that juicy meat! If you’re in a rush? You can totally skip this step, but I highly recommend you don’t!
Cooking Time! Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add a drizzle of oil, maybe about a tablespoon. When the oil is shimmering, it’s showtime! Place the marinated chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan and let them sizzle.
Cook for about 5-6 minutes until the chicken is golden and crispy. You want to hear that wonderful sizzle—it’s like music to my ears! Flip the chicken over, and then add any leftover marinade right in the pan. Stir occasionally to help it caramelize beautifully.
You’ll want to sauté for another 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (an internal temp of 165°F). As it cooks, all those ingredients meld together into the most amazing sauce. Don’t forget to scrape the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan, those are all the concentrated flavors!
Finishing Touches : Just before serving, throw in the green tops of the green onions and give it a quick stir until they’re wilted, this is your moment to shine! And the aroma? Just wow.
Why I Love This Recipe
This sticky honey gochujang chicken is truly my go-to recipe for busy weeknights when I need something fast but still delicious. I’m a real sucker for that combination of sweet and spicy, it’s like a flavor explosion in every bite! My kids absolutely devour it (which, let’s be honest is a small miracle).
And the best part is, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand! Vegetables in the fridge? Toss them in. Don’t have enough honey? Swap in sugar. It’s all about making it work for you, and that’s just what cooking should be, right?
If you loved this sticky honey gochujang chicken, be sure to check out my Dragon Chicken, my Crispy Chicken Wonton Tacos, or my Korean Beef Bulgogi Recipe!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
Comes together in under 30 minutes! Seriously, who wouldn’t want that? This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something filling without spending hours in the kitchen.
One Pan Wonder
Minimal cleanup is required, only one pan! After a long day, the last thing you want is a pile of dishes to tackle.
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor! It’s sweet yet spicy, savory and smoky, just pure comfort food goodness. Everyone will want seconds!
Customizable
You can really play around with the ingredients here! Want to toss in some broccoli or snap peas? Go for it! Need to substitute the chicken for something else? It’s totally adaptable. Cooking should be about using what you love!
Kid-Friendly
It’s a crowd-pleaser that your family will love! The sweetness from the honey counteracts the spiciness of the gochujang, making it perfect for even the pickiest eaters.
Serving & Storage Tips
How to Serve This Sticky Honey Gochujang Chicken
Serve this beauty over steamed rice or fluffy quinoa oh, and don’t forget to drizzle that sticky sauce from the pan over the top. It’s just what you need. Feel free to add a side of stir-fried or sautéed vegetables for a well-rounded meal. It all comes together so beautifully, it could legit be the centerpiece of your dining table!
Storage
Leftovers? No problem! Store any uneaten chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating Instructions
When it comes time to eat those leftovers, simply reheat gently in the microwave or in a pan over low heat until warmed through. The sauce will keep that chicken juicy and delicious.
Freezer Friendly?
You can also freeze this chicken! Just freeze the marinated chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and cook as directed.
So, if you’re looking for an amazing sticky honey gochujang chicken recipe that will have the family gathered at the table in no time, this is it! Honestly, you’ll want to make this again and again.
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Print
30-Minute Sticky Honey Gochujang Chicken
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A quick and easy sticky honey gochujang chicken recipe that comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless chicken thighs
- 2 cloves of garlic, grated
- 3 stalks of green onions, white and green parts separated
- 2 tablespoons gochujang paste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Debone the chicken thighs if necessary.
- In a mixing bowl, combine gochujang paste, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil until uniform.
- Add garlic and the white parts of the green onions to the marinade.
- Toss the chicken thighs in the marinade and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add oil.
- Place marinated chicken skin-side down in the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden.
- Flip the chicken, add remaining marinade, and sauté for another 8-10 minutes until cooked through.
- Just before serving, add green onion tops and stir until wilted.
Notes
Feel free to substitute chicken thighs with breasts or tofu for a vegetarian option. Serve over rice or quinoa with extra vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
