Chicken Bulgogi Recipe
This Chicken Bulgogi recipe offers a flavorful Korean-inspired dish featuring tender strips of chicken marinated in a savory-sweet blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, then quickly cooked in a skillet to achieve a caramelized finish. Perfect for a fast, delicious weeknight meal, it’s garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for added texture and freshness.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Extra chopped green onions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, sesame oil, chopped green onions, black pepper, and optional chili flakes until the sugar dissolves fully and the mixture is smooth, creating a well-balanced marinade packed with savory and sweet flavors.
- Marinate the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts or thighs into thin, even strips to ensure quick cooking and optimal flavor absorption. Toss the chicken strips thoroughly in the marinade to coat every piece. Cover and let marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper infusion of flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the marinated chicken strips in a single layer to avoid overcrowding which helps achieve a nice caramelization. Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until the chicken is fully cooked through and caramelized around the edges, ensuring a deliciously tender and flavorful dish.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken bulgogi to a serving plate. Sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and additional chopped green onions to add texture and brightness. Serve immediately while warm and juicy for best taste.
Notes
- For gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
- Adjust chili flakes quantity to control spice level to your liking.
- Using chicken thighs will result in juicier meat compared to chicken breasts.
- Marinating longer (up to 2 hours) enhances flavor but avoid exceeding 4 hours to prevent texture changes.
- Serve with steamed rice and kimchi for a complete Korean meal experience.
Keywords: chicken bulgogi, Korean chicken recipe, bulgogi marinade, quick Korean dinner, skillet chicken, savory sweet chicken, sesame chicken