Braised Gochujang Chicken with Bok Choy

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs braised in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce with fresh bok choy. This asian ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs, gochujang, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 264 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 264 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 7-8 minutes until golden brown and skin is crispy. Flip and cook for 5 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp honey. Cook for 1 minute, then add 1/2 cup water and bring to a simmer.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, skin-side up, and add 4 cups chopped bok choy. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove chicken and bok choy to a plate. Strain the sauce and return to skillet. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Pour over chicken and bok choy, and drizzle with 1 tsp sesame oil.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Gochujang Chicken with Bok Choy take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Braised Gochujang Chicken with Bok Choy?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep gochujang from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Gochujang Chicken with Bok Choy?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Braised Gochujang Chicken with Bok Choy for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Braised Gochujang Chicken with Bok Choy?

Asian asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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