Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir-Fry with Gochujang
A quick and vibrant stir-fry featuring tender chicken thighs tossed in a bold, spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, served with crisp vegetables. This korean-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs sesame oil, garlic cloves, minced, fresh ginger, grated 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 3 stalks green onions, sliced
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb of 1-inch chicken thigh pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 medium julienned carrot, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 3 sliced green onions. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/4 cup water. Pour this sauce into the skillet and stir well to coat the chicken and vegetables.
- Step 5: Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and glazes the ingredients.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir-Fry with Gochujang take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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-Inspired Chicken Stir-Fry with Gochujang?
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 sesame oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir-Fry with Gochujang?
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-Inspired Chicken Stir-Fry with Gochujang 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-Inspired Chicken Stir-Fry with Gochujang?
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.
