Gochujang Chicken Bowls
Gochujang Chicken Bowls are a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender chicken glazed with a bold, spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, fresh vegetables, and your choice of grains. This easy-to-make recipe offers a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors, ideal for a nutritious and customizable meal that works well for dinner or meal prep.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Korean-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Marinade & Sauce
- 3 tbsp gochujang paste
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp oil (for sautéing)
Grains & Base
- 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa (or cauliflower rice for low-carb)
Vegetables & Garnishes
- 1/2 cup fresh cucumber, sliced or julienned
- 1/2 cup carrots, shredded or sliced
- 1 cup fresh leafy greens (such as spinach, kale, or lettuce)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Optional: fresh cilantro, chopped peanuts, lime wedges, sesame oil drizzle
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together gochujang paste, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger to create a flavorful marinade that combines spicy, sweet, and savory elements.
- Marinate the Chicken: Toss the bite-sized chicken pieces in the marinade until evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for a few hours (or overnight) for deeper flavor absorption.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a touch of oil. Add the marinated chicken and sauté, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and caramelized on the outside, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Prepare the Base: While the chicken cooks, prepare your grains of choice, such as steamed rice or quinoa, to serve as the bowl’s base.
- Assemble the Bowl: Layer the cooked grains in bowls, top with the gochujang chicken, then add fresh vegetables like cucumber, carrots, and leafy greens. Finish by sprinkling sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the top. Optionally, add extra garnishes such as chopped cilantro, peanuts, sesame oil drizzle, or lime juice.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer, preferably overnight, for richer flavor.
- Adjust the amount of gochujang paste to control the spice level according to your tolerance.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful meat compared to breasts.
- Add raw or lightly pickled vegetables for contrasting textures and brightness.
- Toast sesame seeds before garnishing to enhance their nutty flavor.
- Store grains separately from chicken and vegetables when refrigerating leftovers to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Gochujang Chicken Bowls, Korean chicken, spicy chicken bowl, healthy chicken recipe, meal prep, gluten-free chicken, savory spicy chicken