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Flavorful Sticky Korean Gochujang Chicken Thighs with Easy Sesame Fried Rice

sticky korean gochujang chicken thighs - featured image
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A quick and easy recipe featuring juicy boneless chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and spicy gochujang glaze, served with savory sesame fried rice. Perfect for weeknight dinners with bold flavors and comforting textures.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons gochujang paste
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil (for sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for frying rice)
  • 3 cups cooked white rice (day-old preferred)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 large eggs, beaten (optional)
  • Vegetable oil for frying chicken and rice
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together gochujang, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes or refrigerate up to 30 minutes.
  2. Prepare fried rice ingredients: Beat eggs lightly and slice green onions. If rice is freshly cooked, spread it out to cool and dry slightly.
  3. Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken in a single layer and cook 6-7 minutes without moving to sear. Flip and cook another 5 minutes. Pour in reserved marinade, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 2-3 minutes spooning sauce over chicken until thick and sticky. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  4. Make sesame fried rice: In another skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add beaten eggs and scramble gently until just set. Add rice and stir-fry, breaking clumps, for 5-7 minutes until heated through and lightly toasted. Stir in green onions and season with a splash of soy sauce. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. Plate and garnish: Serve chicken thighs atop or alongside sesame fried rice. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and extra green onions if desired.

Notes

Keep heat moderate when adding marinade to avoid burning honey sugars. Use day-old rice for best fried rice texture. Add garlic with green onions at the end to prevent burning. Marinate chicken at least 10 minutes for better flavor. Multitask by prepping rice ingredients while chicken marinates.

Nutrition

Keywords: gochujang chicken, Korean chicken thighs, sticky chicken, sesame fried rice, quick dinner, spicy chicken, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/flavorful-sticky-korean-gochujang-chicken-thighs-with-easy-sesame-fried-rice/