Chicken Bulgogi Recipe: How to Make Chicken Bulgogi

Chicken bulgogi consists of thin slices of chicken marinated in a sweet, salty, spicy sauce. Chicken bulgogi is a lighter version of beef bulgogi, a traditional Korean dish. The term “bulgogi” (불고기)—which comes from the Korean words “bul,” meaning “fire,” and “gogi,” meaning “meat”—refers to any barbecue dish that involves marinating and cooking thinly-sliced meat over high heat until it is slightly charred.

Chefs typically cook this popular dish, also known as dak bulgogi, on an open grill in the center of a communal table, then serve it alongside various side dishes (banchan) and toppings.

This recipe uses thinly sliced boneless chicken thighs with a sweet, spicy, and savory bulgogi sauce for a lighter spin on a Korean BBQ classic.

Follow these tips to make chicken bulgogi, whether you’re a seasoned pro at crafting Korean recipes or are wading into this flavorful cuisine for the first time:

1. 1. Adjust the marination time. Marinate your chicken for at least two hours for the most flavorful meat, but it will benefit from as much marination time as you can give it. Marinating the chicken for more than four hours will yield extra-flavorful meat. You can even marinate your meat overnight for easy next-day meal prep.
2. 2. Give the meat room to cook. Make sure the chicken isn’t overcrowded on the cooking surface so that each piece gets a proper char. Cook the chicken in multiple batches if necessary.
3. 3. Use the grill or stovetop. You can cook this versatile dish on the grill or stovetop. If grilling, cook the marinated chicken over high heat directly on clean grill grates for about 2 minutes per side. On the stovetop, cook the chicken in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes per side, making sure not to crowd the pan. Cook the chicken in batches as necessary.
4. 4. Repurpose the leftover marinade. You can use the marinade for this flavorful dish in other recipes. After you’ve marinated the chicken, utilize the leftover marinade as a tasty sauce for your rice bowl or lettuce wraps. To make the sauce, add the marinade to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Allow it to boil for at least a minute to kill off any bacteria, constantly stirring, until it has reached the consistency of a thick sauce.
5. 5. Store the dish properly. While chicken bulgogi will taste best immediately after being cooked, you can store the leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.

There is no shortage of delicious ways to serve this Korean BBQ chicken.

1. 1. Over rice: The most traditional way to serve chicken bulgogi is over white rice with toppings like thinly sliced vegetables (like carrots, cucumbers, and green onions), herbs (like Perilla leaves or mint), kimchi, sesame seeds, and a spicy chili sauce (like Sriracha or gochujang).
2. 2. In lettuce wraps: Wrap the charred chicken pieces in lettuce leaves, topped with thinly sliced vegetables and your favorite Asian condiments.
3. 3. Add to salads: Add the chicken and the veggies of your choice to a bed of greens dressed with a ginger dressing for a healthy, satisfying meal.
4. 4. In grain bowls: Serve the chicken bulgogi over grains like quinoa, brown rice, or lentils as an alternative to white rice. Top the grain bowl with hearty vegetables, like roasted broccoli and bok choy, and a fried egg topped with gochugaru for a well-rounded meal.