Spicy Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers
Tender chicken pieces marinated in a sweet and spicy Korean glaze, grilled to perfection and served with sticky rice and kimchi. This korean-inspired grilling ready in about 35 minutes pairs (cut into 1-inch cubes) chicken thighs, soy sauce, gochujang for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (cut into 1-inch cubes) chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp gochujang
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1 tbsp (grated) ginger
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 24 wooden skewers (soaked in water) skewers
- 2 cups (cooked) sticky rice
- 1/2 cup (served on the side) kimchi
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp honey, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Add 2 lbs chicken thighs cut into 1-inch cubes. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken onto 24 soaked skewers, dividing evenly. Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, until charred and cooked through.
- Step 3: Serve the skewers with 2 cups cooked sticky rice and 1/2 cup kimchi on the side. For extra flavor, drizzle any remaining marinade over the rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Spicy Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers?
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 Spicy Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers?
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 Spicy Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers 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 Spicy Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers?
Korean grilling 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
