One-Pot Spicy Korean Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes

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

A hearty Korean-inspired chicken stew simmered with sweet potatoes and a spicy gochujang-infused broth. This korean-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, medium, sliced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 30 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces and season with 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned but not fully cooked.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium sliced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the pot. Sauté together for 3 minutes until fragrant and the onion softens.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp gochujang, 3 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar, cooking for 1 minute to combine and bloom the flavors.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and add 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle 1 tbsp sesame oil over the stew and stir gently. Adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce if needed.
  6. Step 6: Serve hot garnished with 2 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Spicy Korean Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 One-Pot Spicy Korean Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes?

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 medium, sliced onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spicy Korean Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes?

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 One-Pot Spicy Korean Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes 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 One-Pot Spicy Korean Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes?

Korean chicken 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.

Related recipes