Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir Fry with Gochujang and Sesame

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

Tender chicken pieces stir-fried with crisp vegetables in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, finished with toasted sesame seeds and scallions. This korean-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 15 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger until smooth and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb chicken thigh pieces and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until chicken is cooked through and starting to brown.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 thinly sliced medium red bell pepper and 1 sliced medium zucchini to the wok; stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Pour the prepared gochujang sauce over the chicken and vegetables; toss continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and evenly coats everything.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp sesame oil. Garnish with 3 sliced scallions and 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds before serving immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir Fry with Gochujang and Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 and Sesame?

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-Inspired Chicken Stir Fry with Gochujang and Sesame?

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 and Sesame 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 and Sesame?

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.

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