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Korean Sticky Chicken Recipe

3.9 from 82 reviews

Korean Sticky Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish featuring chicken coated with spicy gochugaru flakes, cooked to perfection in a savory and sweet sauce made from soy, rice vinegar, and honey. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions, it pairs perfectly with warm jasmine or Japanese rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 1 pound skinless and boneless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced into large chunks
  • 2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)

Cooking and Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, or other neutral oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Garnish

  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 2 stalks scallions, chopped

Instructions

  1. Spice the Chicken: Place the sliced chicken pieces on a sheet of parchment paper and sprinkle evenly with 2 tablespoons of gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes) to coat the surface of the chicken.
  2. Pound the Chicken: Cover the chicken with another sheet of parchment paper and use a meat mallet to gently pound the chicken pieces until they are well coated with the chili flakes and slightly flattened for even cooking.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of neutral oil (such as grapeseed or vegetable oil) in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until the chicken is fully cooked through and has a slight golden color. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  4. Heat the Sauce: Using the same pan, lower the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons honey. Let the sauce bubble gently for about 1 minute until it starts to thicken slightly.
  5. Sauce the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken pieces back into the pan with the thickened sauce and stir to evenly coat the chicken in the sticky sauce. Cook for an additional 1 minute to allow flavors to meld, then turn off the heat.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sesame seeds over the coated chicken and toss to combine. Transfer the sticky chicken to a serving plate and garnish with chopped scallions. Serve immediately with a side of warm Japanese or jasmine rice for a delicious meal.

Notes

  • For a milder version, reduce the amount of gochugaru or substitute with smoked paprika.
  • Chicken thighs provide juicier results compared to chicken breasts.
  • Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to avoid sticking when pounding the chicken.
  • Adjust the honey quantity for preferred sweetness level.
  • Serve with steamed vegetables or a crisp cucumber salad to balance the spiciness.

Keywords: Korean chicken, sticky chicken, gochugaru chicken, spicy chicken recipe, quick Korean dinner