Name: Korean Braised Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup water; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon ginger, minced; 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste); 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted; 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

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These Korean Braised Chicken Thighs are the ultimate comfort food, combining tender chicken with a deep, umami-rich sauce. The blend of soy, ginger, garlic, and gochujang creates a wonderfully complex flavor that balances savory, sweet, and mildly spicy elements. Finished with sesame oil and a garnish of green onions, each bite is bursting with bold, satisfying taste. Perfect for cozy dinners or as a weeknight meal, this dish is not only easy to prepare but also brings a bit of international flair to the table. Serve it with steamed rice or your favorite vegetables for a complete and delicious meal.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
In a bowl, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, water, garlic, ginger, and gochujang. Pour over the browned chicken.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and tender, stirring occasionally.
Once cooked, drizzle with sesame oil and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Discover the Magic of Korean Braised Chicken Thighs

Korean cuisine is renowned for its depth of flavor, bold spices, and balance of savory and sweet. Korean Braised Chicken Thighs, also known as Dak Jjim or Jjim Dak, is a prime example of the heartiness and complexity found in Korean cooking. The dish combines tender, juicy chicken thighs simmered in a rich sauce that melds the warmth of ginger and garlic with the sweetness of brown sugar, the savoriness of soy, and the unique kick of gochujang—a staple Korean chili paste known for its spicy, umami punch. This dish is often cooked low and slow, allowing the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully, resulting in tender, succulent chicken infused with every note of the sauce.

Health Benefits and Nutritional Value

Korean Braised Chicken Thighs isn’t just a treat for your taste buds; it also packs a number of nutritional benefits:

High-Quality Protein: Chicken thighs provide an excellent source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair, immune support, and overall body strength. Using bone-in chicken enhances the dish’s flavor and provides a boost of natural collagen and minerals.
Ginger and Garlic Boost: Ginger and garlic, key ingredients in this recipe, are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They aid digestion, help boost the immune system, and provide a healthy dose of essential nutrients.
Balanced Flavors with Minimal Sugar: The touch of brown sugar balances the salty soy and spicy gochujang without making the dish overly sweet, offering a more wholesome option than many pre-made sauces.
Lower in Calories: With approximately 320 calories per serving, this recipe is hearty yet reasonable in calories, making it a filling meal that’s also aligned with a balanced diet.

Why Korean Braised Chicken Thighs Stand Out

1. Perfectly Balanced Flavors

Korean Braised Chicken Thighs captures the essence of Korean cuisine’s unique flavor harmony, bringing together savory, spicy, and sweet notes. The sauce is simultaneously rich and complex, transforming a few simple ingredients into a layered, umami-packed glaze. The low simmer allows each component—from the sharpness of ginger to the spicy undertone of gochujang—to marry beautifully.

2. Budget-Friendly

Using chicken thighs is not only more flavorful than chicken breasts but is also more budget-friendly, making it an ideal choice for home cooks looking to maximize flavor without breaking the bank. Chicken thighs stay moist during the cooking process and absorb the sauce much better, creating a more intense flavor compared to other cuts.

3. Simple Preparation

Despite its depth of flavor, Korean Braised Chicken Thighs is surprisingly easy to prepare. With minimal prep work and a straightforward simmering process, it’s a great choice for beginners and experts alike. Plus, the dish only requires a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze.

4. Versatile Pairing Options

One of the best parts of Korean Braised Chicken Thighs is how well it pairs with a variety of sides. The dish is traditionally served with steamed rice, which absorbs the sauce beautifully. However, it also pairs well with noodles, stir-fried vegetables, or even a simple side salad, making it easy to customize for any palate or dietary preference.

How to Make This Dish Your Own

This recipe is highly adaptable to individual tastes. You can easily add vegetables such as carrots, onions, or mushrooms to the pot while the chicken simmers, creating a one-pot meal with even more nutritional value. For added freshness, consider topping with sliced scallions, sesame seeds, or even a touch of freshly chopped cilantro.

Spice it Up or Tone it Down

Gochujang, a chili paste made from fermented soybeans, offers a unique kick, but the spice level can be adjusted by varying the amount used or substituting it with a milder chili paste. For those who want to add even more spice, a touch of Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru) can elevate the heat without overpowering the dish’s other flavors.

Gluten-Free Option

By using tamari instead of soy sauce, this dish can easily be made gluten-free. Most of the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it a great choice for people with gluten sensitivities or dietary restrictions.

Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers

Korean Braised Chicken Thighs is a fantastic recipe for meal prepping. Because the flavors deepen over time, leftovers taste even better the next day. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. This recipe also freezes well, making it a perfect candidate for batch cooking and freezing for future meals.

Serving Suggestions and Tips

Serve Over Rice or Noodles: A steaming bowl of rice or noodles complements this dish by soaking up the flavorful sauce. The dish’s flavors really shine with a neutral base.
Top with Fresh Ingredients: Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish. Toasted sesame seeds also add a bit of crunch and additional flavor.
Accompany with Korean Side Dishes: Traditional Korean side dishes, such as kimchi, pickled radishes, or a cucumber salad, balance the meal by adding acidity and crunch. The spicy, fermented flavors of kimchi, in particular, are an excellent pairing with the deep, savory notes of braised chicken.

Cooking Tips for the Best Results

Sear the Chicken First: Browning the chicken thighs before braising locks in flavor and gives the skin a golden, crispy texture. This step also adds depth to the sauce, as the fond (the caramelized bits left in the pan) melds into the braising liquid.
Simmer, Don’t Boil: A slow, gentle simmer is essential for achieving tender chicken. Boiling the sauce can cause the chicken to toughen, so keep the heat low and steady.
Adjust Sauce Consistency: If you like a thicker sauce, remove the lid during the last few minutes of cooking to allow it to reduce. For a thinner sauce, add a splash of water or chicken broth as needed.

Conclusion

Korean Braised Chicken Thighs is an exemplary dish that brings warmth, comfort, and bold flavor to the table. Its balance of savory, sweet, and spicy notes creates a taste experience that’s both satisfying and memorable. Whether you’re new to Korean cuisine or a seasoned fan, this dish is a wonderful way to explore the depth and complexity of Korean flavors without requiring a large pantry of specialty ingredients. From its budget-friendly nature to its health benefits and ease of preparation, Korean Braised Chicken Thighs is a recipe that every home cook should have in their repertoire.