Speedy Chicken Korean-Style BBQ: Bold Flavours in Just 10 Minutes
Published on August 15th, 2025
Intermediate
Imagine this: the sizzling sound of chicken hitting a hot pan, the intoxicating aroma of sesame oil drifting through your kitchen, and the spicy-sweet kick of gochujang making your taste buds do a happy dance. That, my friend, is what you get with Speedy Chicken Korean-Style BBQ — a quick Korean BBQ chicken dream that goes from prep to plate in 10 minutes flat.
If you’ve ever craved those bold Korean BBQ flavours but thought, "I don’t have an hour to marinate and grill", this recipe is your new weeknight BFF.
What is Korean BBQ Chicken?
For the uninitiated, Korean BBQ chicken is a flavour bomb of sweet, savoury, smoky, and spicy notes — often marinated with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and the iconic gochujang paste. Unlike Western BBQ, it’s less about sticky tomato-based sauce and more about building layers of umami with fermented chilli paste, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
Whether grilled over open flames or cooked in a pan, it’s beloved for its addictive balance of heat and sweetness. In this speedy version, we skip the long marinades but still deliver all the flavour, proving that "what is Korean BBQ chicken" can be answered in just one bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Fast: Ready in 10 minutes from start to finish.
• Easy: Minimal prep and fuss-free steps.
• Flavour-packed: The gochujang dressing and sesame dipping sauce deliver an explosion of taste.
• Versatile: Serve as lettuce wraps, over rice in a Korean BBQ chicken bowl, or alongside fresh sides.
• Healthy: Lean protein, crisp veg, and no deep-frying.
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 1 Gem lettuce
- 0.5 tsp dried chilli flakes
- 2 spring onions
- 250g diced chicken thigh
- 15ml soy sauce
- 30g gochujang paste
- 15g ginger & garlic paste
- 280g cooked white long grain rice
- 10ml toasted sesame oil
- 15ml rice vinegar
- 1 carrot
- 5g toasted sesame seeds
Instructions:
- Wash and separate your gem lettuce leaves, finely slice the spring onions, and julienne the carrot. Let the diced chicken thigh rest at room temperature for a couple of minutes — it cooks more evenly that way.
- In a hot frying pan, add a drizzle of oil and cook the chicken for 10–12 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. You’re aiming for that slightly caramelised edge you’d get with grilled Korean BBQ chicken thighs.
- In a small bowl, whisk gochujang with a splash of cold water and a pinch of sugar until smooth. This will coat your veg and give that spicy-sweet signature taste.
- Combine the carrot, spring onion, and lettuce in a large bowl. Pour over the gochujang dressing and toss to coat evenly.
- Pop your cooked rice into the microwave for 2 minutes or until hot and fluffy.
- Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger & garlic paste, and dried chilli flakes in a small bowl. This is your dipping sauce and drizzle — savoury, tangy, and nutty.
- Lay out the lettuce leaves, fill with a scoop of rice, top with chicken and slaw, drizzle with sesame-soy dressing, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Done.
Serving Ideas
• Lettuce Wraps: Keep it light and crisp by serving everything in gem lettuce cups.
• Korean BBQ Chicken Bowl: Layer rice, chicken, slaw, and sauce for an easy meal prep option.
• Grilled Korean BBQ Chicken Thighs: If you have extra time, marinate and grill the chicken for added smokiness.
• Add a fried egg for extra richness or kimchi for a probiotic punch.
Final Bite
This qualifies as a healthy Korean BBQ chicken recipe thanks to its balance of lean protein, fibre-rich veggies, and healthy fats from sesame oil. Plus, the lettuce wraps keep carbs in check while still feeling satisfying.
This Speedy Chicken Korean-Style BBQ proves you don’t need hours to capture the magic of Korean flavours. It’s quick, adaptable, and outrageously tasty. Whip it up on a busy weeknight, serve it at your next casual dinner party, and watch it disappear in minutes.
Now that you’ve got the secret to this quick Korean BBQ chicken, the only question is: lettuce wrap or rice bowl?
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