Gochujang Grilled Chicken: Bold Flavor, Gut-Friendly Twist


Why Gochujang?

Korean cuisine has been having a global moment for years now—and for good reason. It’s bold, balanced, and often surprisingly healthy. One of the defining ingredients of Korean cooking is gochujang, a fermented chili paste that brings not just heat, but deep umami and subtle sweetness. Thanks to its fermentation process, gochujang also brings probiotic benefits, making it a gut-friendly flavor bomb.

This Gochujang Grilled Chicken celebrates the magic of this paste, blending it with garlic, ginger, and sesame for a dish that’s bold, balanced, and versatile. It’s delicious over rice, but also works beautifully tucked into lettuce wraps for a lighter option.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Marinate Time: 30 minutes (or overnight)
Total Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

  • 3 tablespoons gochujang

  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon honey (or sugar substitute)

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger

  • Optional: sliced green onions & sesame seeds for garnish

Quick Cucumber Salad (Optional Side):

  • 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

  • Pinch of salt

  • Sprinkle of sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Make the Marinade

In a bowl, whisk together the gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger until smooth.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Add the chicken to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor.

3. Prepare the Cucumber Salad (Optional)

While the chicken marinates, toss together the cucumber slices with rice vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and sesame seeds. Set aside to lightly pickle.

4. Grill or Sear the Chicken

Preheat your grill or a skillet over medium heat. For perfect even heat distribution and easy cleanup, we recommend using a HexClad 12-Inch Hybrid Frying Pan. Grill or pan-sear the chicken for about 5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and juices run clear.

5. Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle cooked chicken with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice or tucked into crisp lettuce wraps, with cucumber salad on the side if desired.

Recipe Tips

  • Use Chicken Thighs for Juicier Results: Thighs stay moist and tender even at higher heat.

  • Control the Spice: Adjust the amount of gochujang to suit your heat preference.

  • Make It a Meal: Add a side of kimchi, pickled radishes, or miso soup for a full Korean-inspired spread.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Flavor Depth: Gochujang’s fermented kick balances perfectly with honey’s sweetness and sesame’s nuttiness.

  • Gut Health Bonus: Fermented foods like gochujang contribute to a healthier microbiome.

  • Flexible Serving: Rice bowls, lettuce wraps, or even sliced into a salad—this chicken works every way.

Specialty Diet Notes

  • Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, and confirm your gochujang is gluten-free (some brands contain wheat).

  • Dairy-Free: Naturally dairy-free.

  • Low-Carb/Keto: Skip the rice and serve in lettuce wraps. Substitute honey with a keto-friendly sweetener.

  • Gut-Friendly: Contains fermented gochujang, which supports gut health.

  • Refined Sugar-Free: Easily adaptable with honey or a sugar-free substitute.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been curious about Korean cooking but felt intimidated, this recipe is your perfect entry point. It’s easy, adaptable, and brings a taste of authentic Korean flavor to your table without requiring a deep dive into unfamiliar ingredients.

Ready to give it a try? We trust this vegan gochujang from Sempio — Sempio is a reliable brand known for better-quality Asian sauces. You’ll also often find gochujang in the international aisle or any Asian market. Let’s cook!

If you love this recipe and want to support more delicious creations, visit our Ko-fi page! Every contribution helps us keep bringing real-world recipes to your table.

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