Spicy Korean Chicken with Cheesy Topping
A delightful explosion of flavors featuring succulent chicken thighs enveloped in a blend of Korean spices, topped with gooey mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup gochugaru (Korean hot pepper flakes)
- 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste, hot variety)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice syrup (or honey/corn syrup)
- 2-3 pieces spicy Korean chili peppers, chopped Or other small spicy red chilies
- 6 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup water or chicken stock
For the Topping
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded Optional
- Fresh chopped parsley or green onions, for garnish
- Extra hot pepper flakes, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine the gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, vegetable oil, sesame oil, and rice syrup.
- Add the chopped spicy Korean chilies, minced garlic, grated ginger, and season with salt and pepper. Mix to form a thick, aromatic paste.
- Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Cooking
- Preheat a large oven-proof pan over medium heat.
- Add the marinated chicken along with any remaining marinade and the water or chicken stock.
- Cover the pan and let the chicken simmer for about 10 minutes, or until it is fully cooked through.
- Remove the lid, preheat your oven to BROIL, and top the chicken with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown.
- Take it out of the oven, garnish with fresh parsley or green onions, and sprinkle some extra hot pepper flakes.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. Add more gochugaru or diced jalapeños for extra heat. Mixing lime juice before serving adds brightness. Experiment with different cheese blends.