One-Pan Gochujang Chicken That’s Bold and Spicy

26.07.2025

This One-Pan Gochujang Chicken is the ultimate dish for those who crave bold, spicy flavors with minimal clean-up. The chicken is coated in a rich, savory gochujang sauce—made from Korean chili paste—and roasted to perfection in one pan. With a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and umami, this dish will satisfy your spicy cravings without the fuss. Here’s how to make it!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

Chicken thighs – 4-6, bone-in and skin-on (or boneless if preferred)
Olive oil – 2 tbsp
Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
Fresh ginger – 1 tsp, grated
Salt – 1 tsp
Black pepper – ½ tsp

For the Gochujang Sauce:

Gochujang (Korean chili paste) – 3 tbsp
Soy sauce – 2 tbsp
Honey – 1 tbsp (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
Rice vinegar – 1 tbsp
Sesame oil – 1 tsp
Garlic powder – ½ tsp
Ginger powder – ½ tsp (optional)
Sesame seeds – For garnish (optional)
Green onions – Chopped, for garnish (optional)

For the Vegetables (optional):

Baby potatoes – 8-10, halved
Bell peppers – 2, sliced
Onions – 1, sliced
Carrots – 2, sliced

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet or roasting pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.

Step 2: Make the Gochujang Sauce

In a small bowl, combine gochujang, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Stir well until all the ingredients are fully combined and form a smooth sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed—add more honey for sweetness or more gochujang for extra spice.

Step 3: Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy skin. Rub them with olive oil, and season generously with salt and black pepper.

Place the chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet or roasting pan. Using a brush or spoon, generously coat the chicken with the gochujang sauce, making sure to cover the entire surface. You can reserve a little sauce for basting later or serving.

Step 4: Add the Vegetables (Optional)

If you’re using baby potatoes, bell peppers, onions, and carrots, toss them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and arrange them around the chicken on the same pan. The vegetables will absorb the flavors of the sauce while roasting, creating a perfect one-pan meal.

Step 5: Roast the Chicken

Place the pan in the preheated oven and roast for 35-40 minutes (for bone-in chicken), or 25-30 minutes for boneless chicken, until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is golden brown and crispy. If you’re using bone-in chicken, the internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).

Halfway through roasting, you can baste the chicken with the remaining gochujang sauce for an extra layer of flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Once the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are tender, remove the pan from the oven. Serve the chicken and vegetables hot, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a fresh pop of flavor.

Tips and Variations

Vegetable Variations: Feel free to swap out the vegetables based on what you have on hand—zucchini, sweet potatoes, or broccoli would all work great.
Make It Spicy: Add fresh chopped chili peppers or a bit more gochujang for extra heat.
Marinate the Chicken: For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the gochujang sauce for 30 minutes to a few hours before cooking.
Serve with Rice: Serve the chicken and veggies with steamed rice or noodles for a more filling meal.

This One-Pan Gochujang Chicken is a simple, bold, and spicy dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. With minimal prep and a flavor-packed sauce, it’s sure to become a staple in your meal rotation!