Description
Korean-style fire chicken (Buldak) is a spicy, cheesy dish that combines tender chicken pieces with a fiery gochujang-based sauce and melty mozzarella cheese. It’s a bold and flavorful Korean comfort food perfect for spice lovers.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sake or mirin
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1/2 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the chicken thighs with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sake or mirin, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, make the sauce by combining gochujang, gochugaru, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon mirin, garlic, ginger, and water. Mix until well blended.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the neutral oil. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned and mostly cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir well to coat. Cook for an additional 5–6 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the chicken to cook through completely.
- Reduce heat to low and sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken. Cover the skillet and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2–3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with sliced scallions if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use boneless chicken thighs for best flavor and tenderness.
- Adjust gochugaru and gochujang to reduce or increase spiciness.
- Serve with steamed rice or lettuce wraps to balance the heat.
- Low-moisture mozzarella melts best for this dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
