Gochujang Glazed Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken & Marinade
- 16 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp gochujang
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp rice wine vinegar, see note 1
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Optional Garnishes
- Steamed greens
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a bowl, add chicken thighs and combine with gochujang, soy sauce, honey, garlic, vinegar, and sesame oil. Marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Lightly oil your air fryer basket and arrange the chicken in a single layer. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through if desired, until the chicken is cooked through and caramelized.
- Slice the chicken thinly and serve over a fresh bowl of rice. Optionally add steamed greens and garnish with sesame seeds.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Table of Contents
Gochujang Glazed Chicken Is The Best Reliable Meal
If you’ve never tried gochujang on chicken before, I promise this Gochujang Glazed Chicken will become your new favorite weeknight dinner. Gochujang is a Korean chili paste brings the perfect balance of heat and acid to a sticky and sweet glaze that caramelizes perfectly in the air fryer. Gochujang is often paired with soy sauce, a sweetener, and aromatics to create a perfect glaze that hits all the flavor profiles. It’s often found in Korean Fried Chicken sauces and a lot of popular Korean street foods. In this particular recipe, I utilize all three pairings to create a marinade that clings to each piece of chicken when air fried and looks like it just came out from a restaurant, when in reality it’s easy enough to throw together in about 30 minutes.
Why Gochujang Glazed Chicken Is The Ideal Quick Dinner or Meal Prep
What makes this gochujang chicken recipe my go-to for busy nights is its versatility and ease. The marinade takes just 2 minutes to mix, and the air fryer takes care of the rest! No need to babysit a skillet or heat up the oven, but if you don’t have an air fryer, instructions for an oven version will also be below. You can marinate the chicken overnight or whip it up last minute, and it still comes out juicy with golden edges. Slice it up over rice with steamed veggies for an easy dinner, or pack it into containers for high-protein lunches that taste even better the next day. My girlfriend loves it for lunch because it’s super tasty, but also won’t make her super sleepy during the afternoon!
What You’ll Need To Make Gochujang Glazed Chicken
Chicken & Marinade
- 16 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp gochujang
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Optional Garnishes
- Steamed greens
- Sesame seeds
How to Make Gochujang Glazed Chicken
In a bowl, combine chicken thighs with gochujang, soy sauce, honey, garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil and marinate for at least 15 minutes (you can for longer if you have time).
Lightly oil your air fryer basket and place the chicken in a single layer.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through if desired.
Slice thinly and serve over steamed rice.
Optionally top with sesame seeds and serve with bok choy or spinach on the side.
Tips and Variations
• Swap honey with brown sugar or maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness. I found honey yields the best kind of caramelization though!
• Add 1 tbsp of ketchup or hoisin for a thicker glaze that is typically found in BBQ glazes.
• No air fryer? Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes or pan-sear for 5 minutes a side on medium high heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gochujang?
Gochujang is a fermented Korean chili paste made from chili flakes, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. It’s salty, spicy, sweet, and thick and is often used for glazes, sauces, and marinades.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, although I recommend thighs for juicier results. If using breasts, thinly butterfly and air fry for 10 minutes to avoid drying out the meat.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Absolutely! I would honestly recommend it. This chicken reheats super well and can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like to pair it as I did in the video: with rice and steamed greens.
What sides go well with this?
Steamed jasmine or short-grain rice, sautéed bok choy, kimchi, cucumber salad, or a simple miso soup all pair super well.
Can I cook this without an air fryer?
Yes! You can bake it at 400°F (200°C) for about 20–25 minutes or sear it in a pan for 5 minutes a side on medium high heat. Air frying just gives it that ideal caramelized finish with minimal cleanup.
Try These Next
If you loved this, you’ll definitely want to try my Crispy Golden Chicken for another one of my favorite air fryer meals.
If you want noodles with this instead of rice, make a bowl of my Gochujang Peanut Noodles or Garlic Butter Noodles!
And for something comforting and quick, check out my Soy Garlic Glazed Chicken.
