Honey-Gochujang Braised Chicken Thighs

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

Chicken thighs simmered in a sweet-spicy glaze with gochujang, finished with a glossy finish for a comforting dinner that pairs perfectly with steamed rice. This korean-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs soy sauce, honey, gochujang paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
  3. Step 3: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Whisk together soy sauce, honey, gochujang paste, rice vinegar, and chicken broth in a small bowl. Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet, skin-side up, and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, turning once halfway through.
  6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Stir into the sauce and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  7. Step 7: Remove the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve with the sauce spooned over the top and garnished with sesame seeds if desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Gochujang Braised Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Honey-Gochujang Braised Chicken Thighs?

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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Gochujang Braised Chicken Thighs?

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 Honey-Gochujang Braised Chicken Thighs 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.

Is Honey-Gochujang Braised Chicken Thighs gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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