Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (2023)

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This Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (bo͝olˈɡōɡē) only requires an hour to marinate and 5 minutes to cook! The marinated chicken thighs are broiled in the oven for 5 minutes and have a spicy, garlicky, and mildly sweet flavor. Serve this Chicken Bulgogi recipe with white rice, in lettuce wraps, or with a salad.

Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (1)

Bulgogi refers to barbecued meat. This Korean dish features thinly sliced meat, marinated in a delicious savory marinade, and grilled on an open flame. Dak-Bulgogi is the chicken version of this popular dish.

Jump to:
  • 🧐 Why This Recipe Works
  • 🛒 What You Need to Make Chicken Bulgogi (Dak Bulgogi)
  • 🔖 Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions
  • 🥣 How to Make Chicken Bulgogi
  • 🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
  • 💡Pro Tips
  • 🥡 Related Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

🧐 Why This Recipe Works

  • Chicken Bulgogi is very easy to prepare and requires no cooking skill whatsoever!
  • The short marinating time means it's perfect for when you need a last-minute dinner idea.
  • Broiling the Bulgogi Chicken on a foil-lined sheet pan makes it a no mess, easy clean-up recipe.
  • The spice level of the recipe can be adjusted based on your own personal preference.

🛒 What You Need to Make Chicken Bulgogi (Dak Bulgogi)

Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (2)

🔖 Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are used in this recipe but can be substituted with chicken breasts instead.
  • Gochujang Paste: Gochujang Korean Chili Paste can be purchased in most Asian markets, or on Amazon.
  • Soy Sauce: Either light or regular soy sauce may be used in this recipe.
  • Honey: If you don't have honey, you can use brown sugar (or light brown sugar). Corn syrup is another option.
  • Rice Wine Vinegar: White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be substituted.
  • Sesame Oil: Sesame seed oil adds a terrific flavor so I don't recommend replacing it with vegetable oil unless you absolutely have to.
  • Fresh Garlic: If you don't have fresh garlic, you can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • Fresh Ginger: The fresh ginger can be replaced with 1 teaspoon powdered ginger.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: The crushed red pepper can be adjusted based on your heat tolerance.
  • Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds are used in the marinade and as a garnish. You can use white or black sesame seeds or a combination of the two. Be sure to toast them in a pan for a minute or two to bring out their flavor.
  • Pear: Sometimes a pear or an apple is shredded into the marinade. This helps to further tenderize the chicken. I didn't add it to the marinade this time but I encourage you to try it.
  • Cooking Spray: If you don't have any cooking spray to spray the rack, you can brush it with vegetable oil instead.

🥣 How to Make Chicken Bulgogi

STEP 1: Prepare chicken bulgogi marinade by mixing Gochujang paste, soy sauce, honey, rice wine vinegar, sesame seed oil, garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, and half of the sesame seeds in a bowl or a measuring cup.

Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (3)

STEP 2: Add chicken thighs to the marinade and mix to coat all the pieces with the marinade. Refrigerate for a minimum of one hour.

Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (4)

How to Cook Bulgogi Chicken

STEP 3: Place a rack on a foil-covered sheet pan and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Add marinated chicken thighs and broil on high for 2½ minutes on each side. Slice into bite size pieces before serving.

Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (5)
Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (6)
Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (7)

Pro Tip: You can also stir-fry, air-fry, or barbecue the chicken on the grill. There's no wrong way to cook chicken bulgogi, just don't boil it! 😉

Chicken Bulgogi Serving Suggestions

Serve this Bulgogi Chicken recipe with white rice, grilled or fresh veggies, and sprinkle with the remaining toasted sesame seeds before serving. I like to drizzle the sliced chicken with Spicy Korean Bibimbap Sauce, but you can let your guests decide if they want the additional heat.

Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (8)

🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

What does Bulgogi taste like?

Bulgogi is a very flavorful Korean marinated beef or chicken dish. The taste is savory, slightly spicy, with a hint of sweetness.

(Video) Spicy Chicken Bulgogi for me please

What do you serve with Bulgogi?

Korean Chicken Bulgogi is typically served over white rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions or perilla leaves before serving. Sliced veggies can also be arranged around the plate. Try cucumbers sliced into rounds, matchstick-cut carrots, and sliced Serranos.

If you prefer, serve Bulgogi Chicken in a lettuce wrap for a healthier option. Top the chicken with cabbage, broccoli, or kimchi. Drizzle with Ssamjang (soybean paste) or for a spicy kick, try Spicy Korean Bibimbap Sauce instead.

How many calories are in Chicken Bulgogi?

One boneless and skinless chicken thigh marinated in bulgogi sauce and broiled or grilled has 280 calories per serving.

What does Bulgogi mean?

You may be wondering, what exactly does Bulgogi mean? In Korean, "bul" means fire" and "gogi" means "meat" so Bulgogi translates to "fire meat." However, a better definition would be "meat cooked over a fire" or "barbecued meat."

💡Pro Tips

  • Make a double batch of the marinade to make some beef bulgogi too.
  • Although this recipe is great for last-minute dinner idea, marinating the chicken longer is even better!
  • Korean BBQ chicken makes for great leftovers and freezes well too.
  • Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze in a freezer bag for up to a few months.
  • Perilla leaves are consumed in many Asian cultures. Their flavor profile is somewhere between mint and basil.
Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (9)
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📖 Recipe

Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (14)

Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi

Tasty Chicken Bulgogi that only requires an hour to marinate and 5 minutes to cook!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: dinner, entree, lunch

Cuisine: Asian, korean

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Marinating Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

(Video) Bulgogi Chicken/닭불고기: Amazing Flavour Korean BBQ Chicken, 20 minutes of work

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 280kcal

Author: Hilda Sterner

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoon Gochujang Paste
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 5 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated or mince)
  • 2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoon sesame seeds (divided)

Instructions

  • Prepare chicken bulgogi marinade by mixing Gochujang paste, soy sauce, honey, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, and half of the sesame seeds in a bowl or a measuring cup.

  • Add chicken thighs to the marinade and mix to coat all the pieces with the marinade. Refrigerate for a minimum of one hour.

How To Cook Bulgogi Chicken

  • Place a rack on a foil-covered sheet pan and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Add marinated chicken thighs and broil on high for 2½ minutes on each side. Slice into bite-size pieces before serving.

How To Serve Korean Bulgogi Chicken

  • Korean Chicken Bulgogi is typically served over white rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onionsorperilla leavesbefore serving.Sliced veggies can also be arranged around the plateincluding sliced cucumbers and matchstick-cut carrots.

    If you prefer, serve Bulgogi Chicken in a lettuce wrap for a healthier option. You can then top the chicken with cabbage, broccoli, or kimchi. Top withSsamjang(soybean paste) or for a spicy kick, drizzle withSpicy Korean Bibimbap Sauce.

Notes

  • This Korean Bulgogi Chicken recipe can also be stir-fried in a wok, air-fried, or grilled on a barbecue grill. There's no wrong way of cooking the chicken, just don't boil it! 😉
  • Make a double batch of the marinade to make some beef bulgogi too.
  • Although this recipe is great for last-minute dinner idea, marinating the chicken longer is even better!
  • Korean BBQ chicken makes for great leftovers and freezes well too.
  • Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze in a freezer bag for up to a few months.
  • Perilla leaves are consumed in many Asian cultures. Their flavor profile is somewhere between mint and basil.
(Video) How To Make Korean Bulgogi by Chef Jia Choi

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken thigh | Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 764mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 5g

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

(Video) Spicy Chicken Bulgogi 닭불고기 Spicy Marinated Chicken Recipe

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelly Methey says

    Spicy Korean Chicken Bulgogi (19)
    Sounds totally delicious! Can’t wait to try it! I love all the new interesting cuisines you introduce us to!

    Reply

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FAQs

What is chicken bulgogi made of? ›

The marinade for bulgogi varies, but traditionally it consists of black pepper, garlic, onion, ginger, sesame oil, sesame seeds, soy sauce, sugar and rice wine (mirin). Oftentimes Asian pear or pear juice is added as well—it contains a tenderizing enzyme.

What does Korean bulgogi taste like? ›

The flavor of bulgogi is savory, salty and sweet. Our recipe has a mildly sweet and salty flavor – more mild than other recipes or what you may have tasted from a Korean bbq restaurant.

Is bulgogi supposed to be spicy? ›

Is Bulgogi spicy? Although Bulgogi means “fire meat,” it is not spicy. The literal translation in reference to the cooking style of being fried in a skillet or tabletop grill. Beef Bulgogi is more on the sweet side, even with the addition of Gochujang.

What is usually in bulgogi? ›

Bulgogi, sometimes known as Korean BBQ beef, is a dish of thinly sliced grilled steak that has been marinated in a sweet soy, sesame, and garlic sauce. If you want to spice it up, serve the beef in lettuce cups with rice and hot pepper paste (gochujang).

What is the meaning of bulgogi? ›

Bulgogi (불고기; /bʊlˈɡoʊɡiː/ bool-GOH-gee; from Korean bul-gogi [pul. ɡo. ɡi]), literally "fire meat", is a gui (구이; Korean-style grilled or roasted dish) made of thin, marinated slices of meat, most commonly beef, grilled on a barbecue or on a stove-top griddle.

What side dish goes with bulgogi? ›

The best dishes to serve with bulgogi are fresh kimchi, grilled bok choy, kimchi fried rice, braised baby potatoes, and yachaejeon. You can also serve japchae, fish cake stir fry, stuffed peppers, and baked potatoes. Try chilled oi naengguk, scallion salad, and pickled daikon for healthier options.

Is Korean bulgogi healthy? ›

Bulgogi is not considered healthy as it is calorically dense due to its high-fat content which is almost equal to its protein content. An average portion (250 grams) of Bulgogi itself can carry up to 424 calories with making it a detriment to any health or weight loss goals.

What cut of meat is bulgogi? ›

Korean beef bulgogi is not hard to make, but—like any recipe that's all about the marinade—you've got to plan ahead. In a perfect world, you'd want to marinate the steak—rib-eye or sirloin steak are the best cuts to use for this bulgogi recipe—a day before grilling.

What Flavour is bulgogi sauce? ›

It has a blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, asian pear (or red apple), garlic, ginger, ground black pepper and sesame oil. This gives a slightly salty, mildly sweet and nutty savory flavor.

What does Korean sauce taste like? ›

A traditional Korean sauce, it has a bold sweet/spicy/umami flavor with an underlying funk. This delicious, distinctive taste comes from gochujang, a fermented Korean chili paste made from glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, red chili pepper flakes, and salt.

Is Korean BBQ sauce the same as bulgogi? ›

Bulgogi sauce is a Korean BBQ sauce or marinade with a slightly sweet, umami flavor. Use this recipe to make the Korean condiment at home using simple pantry ingredients! There are many delicious Korean dishes that are popular worldwide.

Is Teriyaki the same as bulgogi? ›

Teriyaki has a sweeter flavor than bulgogi sauce because of the Mirin, but it also has that umami quality from the soy sauce. Also, since it has ginger, there is a slight zing to the flavor. Both are sweet, salty, and a little sticky – making them perfect for grilled meats.

What part of the cow is bulgogi? ›

Thinly-sliced strip loin is used for shabu shabu and bulgogi and often added to soups for flavor. This muscle is located in the upper shoulder of a cow. The meat is on the slightly tough side. The chuck roll is used for bulgogi, steaks and jangjorim (soy sauce-braised beef side dish).

How do you say bulgogi in Korean? ›

How to Pronounce Bulgogi? | Korean Dish, Pronunciation Guide - YouTube

What part of the body is bulgogi? ›

Well, it's marinated grilled beef of the highest quality, generally using sirloin, tenderloin, or ribeye with good marbling. It's generally prepared in a sweet and savory sauce made of soy sauce, sugar, and Korean pear juice, then grilled on a barbecue or stove-top griddle, making for some freakin' flavorful meat.

How many calories are in bulgogi? ›

Korean Beef Bulgogi (1 serving) contains 61g total carbs, 61g net carbs, 4g fat, 40g protein, and 453 calories.

What is pork called in Korean? ›

The word for pork in Korean is 돼지고기 (dwaejigogi).

Is bulgogi Japanese or Korean? ›

Bulgogi, a classic Korean dish of thinly sliced, marinated beef, is a staple of Korean households.

Is Korean food healthy? ›

Is Korean food healthy? Considering the ingredients and cooking methods of the traditional Korean diet, it's generally considered healthy. Because they're often high in vegetables and cooked without much oil, Korean meals are often lower in calories than traditional American meals (2, 3 ).

Why does Korean food have so many side dishes? ›

Why do Koreans have so many side dishes? The idea of banchan dates back to times of Korean royal court cuisine, where a meal was said to be twelve dishes and accompanied with rice and soup. Today, banchan can consist of anywhere from two to twelve dishes; although cheaper restaurants serve less.

Why is Korean food so good? ›

Why is Korean food so popular? Layers of savoury flavours, sweetness and (gentle or deadly!) heat add up to an addicting combination for most people. It's said that Korean cuisine can offer spicy, bitter, sour, sweet and salty flavours to delight the taste buds.

What is the famous food of Korea? ›

Kimchi (fermented vegetables)

One of the oldest and probably the most essential dishes in Korean cuisine, kimchi is a spicy and sour dish made up of fermented vegetables. It is prepared with various kinds of ingredients, but the most common main ingredient is cabbage.

Is spicy bulgogi healthy? ›

Is spicy chicken bulgogi healthy? Spicy chicken bulgogi can be a very healthy dish, consisting of 290 calories, with 34 grams of protein, 20 grams of fat, and 12 grams of carbs. As you can see, the dish has a very impressive nutrition profile predominantly consisting of proteins, making it a great, protein-packed meal.

How do you eat lettuce with bulgogi? ›

Once beef is cooked, you can serve it right away with a bowl of hot rice or make lettuce wraps. For the lettuce wraps, spoon a little rice into each lettuce leaf. Top with a slice or two of Bulgogi, and garnish with sesame seeds, sliced scallions and a bit of Red Cabbage Salad with Spicy Miso-Ginger Dressing, if using.

What is Korean BBQ beef called? ›

Bulgogi (불고기), also known as Korean BBQ beef, is marinated thinly sliced beef, typically cooked over an open flame. “Bul” means fire in Korean, and “gogi” is a general term for meat. While there are other variations such as chicken and pork, the term generally refers to beef bulgogi.

Is bulgogi sauce teriyaki sauce? ›

The best substitute for teriyaki sauce is bulgogi sauce for several reasons. Both sauce variants come with pretty much the same ingredients, and while there are slight variations, their taste is pretty similar.

What sauce is used for Korean BBQ? ›

Ssamjang is an essential component of Korean barbecue. It's a simple, no-cook, stir-together dipping sauce that combines the savory funk of doenjang (fermented Korean soybean paste) with the sweet heat of gochujang.

Is bulgogi a sour? ›

Since various ingredients make up the Bulgogi sauce, all these flavors hit your tongue in stages. There are sweet, savory, salty, and sour flavors present in the Bulgogi sauce that seep into the meat while marinating.

Why is Korean fried chicken so crispy? ›

Korean fried chicken is super crispy due to the addition of potato starch in its batter and double frying the chicken. This second fry also boils off the extra moisture in the chicken after the first fry. Korean fried chicken is known to stay extra crispy for an extended period of time, even with a glaze!

How spicy is Korean chili paste? ›

Gochujang hot-taste unit
Extreme Hot> 100
Very Hot75–100
Medium Hot45–75
Slight Hot30–45
Mild< 30

What makes Korean BBQ different? ›

One of the major things that sets Korean BBQ apart from many American BBQ traditions is the meat itself. While many American BBQ styles will include large cuts of pork, ribs, brisket, or chicken roasted or slowly smoked as the centerpiece, Korean BBQ will generally center beef, pork, or chicken skewered and grilled.

What spices are used in Korean BBQ? ›

Combine sesame seed, brown sugar, beef bouillon powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, ginger, white pepper, and chili powder in small bowl.

What is a substitute for bulgogi sauce? ›

The best substitute would be Japanese tamari (which is usually gluten-free), otherwise, just use whatever soy sauce you have on hand. Pear Juice – The secret ingredient to bulgogi's deliciously soft and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

What ingredients are in Korean BBQ? ›

Korean barbecue commonly utilizes small, tender cuts like beef tongue, beef short ribs, pork belly, and chicken. In the US, barbecue might use big cuts of meat like brisket, whole chickens, pork butts, pork ribs, and big steaks like sirloin and rib-eye.

How long does bulgogi sauce last in the fridge? ›

How long does opened BBQ sauce last in the refrigerator? BBQ sauce that has been continuously refrigerated will generally stay at best quality for about 6 to 9 months.

Is Ponzu sauce similar to teriyaki sauce? ›

Ponzu Sauce

Like teriyaki, it's a Japanese sauce, and they both share similar ingredients. The main differences between the two are that ponzu sauce is much thicker than teriyaki sauce, and it includes citrus juice as the main ingredient. The citrus gives the condiment both a sweetness and a tanginess.

What is similar to teriyaki sauce? ›

Substitutions For Teriyaki Sauce:

All teriyaki sauces have some similar base ingredients like soy sauce, a sweetener of some kind, ginger and a lot of times garlic.

How many calories are in a cup of chicken bulgogi? ›

Calories in Chicken Bulgogi
Calories181.7
Cholesterol62.3 mg
Sodium1,144.9 mg
Potassium60.5 mg
Total Carbohydrate4.4 g
8 more rows

How do you pronounce Korean bulgogi? ›

How to Pronounce Bulgogi? | Korean Dish, Pronunciation Guide - YouTube

How many carbs are in chicken bulgogi? ›

Korean Style Ramen Spicy Chicken Bulgogi (1 meal) contains 69g total carbs, 65g net carbs, 7g fat, 20g protein, and 430 calories.

How many calories are in beef bulgogi? ›

Korean Beef Bulgogi (1 serving) contains 61g total carbs, 61g net carbs, 4g fat, 40g protein, and 453 calories.

What is the white stuff served with Korean fried chicken? ›

It's also called 'chicken mu' 치킨 무, which translates to 'chicken radish'. This is because it's almost always served with Korean fried chicken. The sour, vinegary, crunchy radish helps cut through the heaviness of fried chicken.

Are Korean side dishes healthy? ›

Korean cuisine is characterized by plenty of vegetables, rice, and meat or fish. Meals are often served with a variety of small sides, broth-based soups, and fermented cabbage (kimchi). It's generally considered healthy and known for incorporating many health-promoting ingredients like fermented foods.

How do I say Gochujang? ›

The correct pronunciation of gochujang is koh-choo-jan(g). In the first syllable of gochujang, the "g" is pronounced like a "k" and it is followed by an "o" that is pronounced with a closed "oh" sound. The "u" in the second syllable is pronounced like a long "o", which means it is pronounced with an "oo" sound.

What is bulgogi Mandu? ›

The Costco Bibigo Beef Bulgogi Mandu are extra large dumplings with a thin wrapper filled with Korean-style bulgogi beef. Are these dumplings as good as they look?

How do you pronounce Bibimbap in Korean? ›

How to Pronounce Bibimbap? (CORRECTLY) Korean Dish Name ...

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