This Chicken Bulgogi recipe is one of the best chicken recipes ever. Also called Dak Bulgogi in Korean. It is easy, quick, and cooks beautifully on the air fryer, grill, or skillet. It is one of the easiest and tastiest chicken dishes you will ever have.
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This is a super easy and delicious dish for any time of the year. During summer (you can air fry), busy weeknights, or when you have company over. This is also a fantastic meal prep idea that you can easily freeze and cook whenever.
I love easy recipes like this. You need to check out other dishes on my site like Kalbi Chicken, Gochujang Chicken Thighs, or Maui Style Beef. Great side dishes would be this famous Asian Coleslaw and Spicy Shrimp Fried Rice.
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You can air fry or pan fry!
You can air fry your chicken bulgogi.
Or pan fry for 12 minutes.
Ingredients and substitutions
Chicken thighs - I love using boneless skinless chicken but you can use chicken wings, bone-in chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or other meat like pork, beef, or whatever you feel like. This marinade is super versatile and will go with anything meat.
Chicken Bulgogi Marinade:
Soy sauce - tamari for my gluten-free friends.
Brown sugar - any sweetener will work like white sugar, honey, agave, or maple syrup.
Mirin - rice vinegar would be a great substitute.
Sesame oil - for a nuttier taste, use toasted sesame oil.
Avocado oil - any neutral oil will work like vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil.
Garlic and ginger - fresh is best, omit of you do not have any available.
Gochujang (optional) - this is a great addition to this marinade if you want a little kick to this recipe. Gochujang is a fermented soybean paste.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Dak Bulgogi
- Step 1: Combine the ingredients in a bowl.
- Step 2: Pan fry.
- Or air fry!
- Step 4: Serve and enjoy!
Equipment
- If air frying, air fryer
- If pan frying, use a large skillet or frying pan
- Large bowl
How to store Chicken Bulgogi
Storage:
- Store leftover chicken bulgogi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze (great for meal prep):
- Freeze uncooked marinated chicken bulgogi in a ziploc bag for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Top tips for success
- Marinade for at least 1 hour. Overnight for best results.
- Add gochujang for a spicy kick. Omit it if you have picky kids.
- Double the recipe and freeze some for later.
Chicken Bulgogi Recipe - FAQs
Chicken bulgogi is amazing with steamed white rice, kimchi, salad, or roasted vegetables. Lettuce wraps are amazing too. The options are endless.
Chicken bulgogi is best marinated for at least one hour. Overnight for best results.
Related
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Easy Chicken Bulgogi Recipe (Dak Bulgogi)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, add all the ingredients in with the chicken.
- In a large skillet or wok, pan-fry the chicken on medium-high heat until the chicken is cooked. Stir fry until the sauce is caramelized and the chicken is fully cooked. Around 12 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer rack
- Preheat the air fryer at 385 degrees on air fry mode
- Place the chicken and the marinade in the air fryer basket.
- Cook the chicken for 25 minutes flipping a couple of times to get a good caramelized crust.
Notes
- Cut chicken into bite size pieces if pan frying
- Marinate for 30 minutes or longer, but not necessary.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Mention @eatwithcarmen in all social platformsFood safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
TJ says
Some comments refer to a pear, but I don't see that mentioned in the ingredients list or the details. What am I missing? Thx
Carmen Spillette says
There used to be an Asian pear but I removed it to make the recipe easier. I now use a sweetener like sugar or honey. Hope that helps
KP says
How much of the pear to use. I couldnt quite find it in the recipe.
Carmen Spillette says
Sorry about that, about half an pear is perfect.
Jack S says
Can't believe how easy this was... I was a little intimidated as I'm not the best cook, but even my wife was blown away. Insanely good!!! Thanks Carmen 🙏
Carmen Spillette says
Yay! Thats makes me happy - Thank you!
Stephanie Bay says
Whole family devoured this dish!!! So easy and absolutely delicious 🤤😋🤤😋♥️
Emily R says
Crazy good, thanks Carmen!!!
Carmen Spillette says
You're welcome
Lynne says
We loved it. Cooked it in our air fryer. Cranked up the heat for the last two minutes to get a nice char on the chicken. Chicken still nice and moist. Will definitely cook again. Thanks for the recipe.
Carmen Spillette says
You are most welcome!!!
Cynthia says
What if I can't get that kind of pear?
Carmen Spillette says
Hi Cynthia, use kiwi.
Patti says
3 tablespoons cup of soy sauce?! What?!
Carmen Spillette says
Typo - it is supposed to be 3 tablespoons. Sorry about that.
Diane says
When you pan fry the chicken, do you marinate it also?
Carmen Spillette says
Yes. I like to marinate it. It will splatter because of the marinade - be careful. I like to bake it and broil at the last 5 minutes to get a crispy crust.
Lily says
Tried it with or without gochujang , both are still delicious 👍
Gissel says
'what can be used instead of the Korean pear?
Jerry Rutherford says
The author says you can substitute kiwi for the Korean pear
Bet says
Well you can try asian pear or any pear variety
hmm, i think apple can do so
George says
Asian pear is the same as Korean pear.
Zoey says
Easy lunch for my kids. Their classmate love it haha
Sophia says
Thanks Carmen! Never thought Korean recipes could be this easy.
Carmen Spillette says
YESSS! I love Korean food too.