Korean Bbq Chicken

Have I got a treat for you BBQ chicken lovers… This Korean BBQ chicken is my go-to dinner for summertime grilling with a twist! I’ll show you how to craft the most delicious Korean BBQ sauce to add something special to your dinner. Let me show you the way to a finger-lickin’ meal the whole family will LOVE!

Summertime and grilled dinners are a match made in heaven, and you’ll almost always find me by the grill when it’s too hot to turn the oven on. When I’m craving a chicken dinner that feels a little different, this Korean BBQ chicken is the one I reach for.

It’s sweet, smoky, and sticky with just a hint of heat, and the Korean-inspired flavors give it a fun twist on classic BBQ chicken. It’s bold, satisfying, and exactly the kind of recipe that keeps summer dinners exciting.

5 reasons to fire up the grill for this Korean BBQ chicken

You can see on the images just how gorgeous this Korean BBQ chicken recipe is – it’s the ultimate crowd pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or looking for a flavor-packed dinner idea, this Korean BBQ chicken delivers.

Here are 5 reasons to fire up the grill for this Korean BBQ chicken:

Flavor: The complex flavor profile from the Korean BBQ sauce is everything. Sweet, sticky, savory, smoky, bold, with a hint of heat. The whole family will be reaching for seconds.
Quick and easy : Minimal prep + just a handful of ingredients = a YES from me!
Summer vibes: Keep the oven off and enjoy the fresh summer air as you grill.
Easy clean up: This Korean BBQ chicken recipe makes next to no dishes – perfect for lazy summer nights.
It’s made with real, simple ingredients , so you can feel good about serving it up.

Ingredients for Korean BBQ chicken

You don’t need much to craft this delicious dinner – under 10 ingredients, in fact! Gather these items:

Korean BBQ sauce : Combine tomato paste, gochujang (a Korean chili paste), honey, rice vinegar, water, salt, black pepper, and garlic cloves together to make an irresistible marinade.
Chicken: You can use drumsticks or bone-in thighs.
Other ingredients : Olive oil, and cilantro to serve.

Is this a traditional Korean BBQ chicken recipe

While this is not an authentic Korean recipe, my Korean BBQ chicken recipe is inspired by the bold and vibrant flavors of Korean cooking and uses ingredients associated with Korean cuisine. It’s an easy recipe that’s perfect for incorporating a taste of Korea into a delicious BBQ chicken!

Can I make this without a grill

If you’re craving the flavors of Korean BBQ chicken but it’s too cold to fire up the grill, you can make this recipe in your oven. Simply bake the chicken with a thin coating of the BBQ sauce at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes until it is almost cooked. Then, baste the chicken liberally with the BBQ sauce and broil until it darkens.

What to serve with Korean BBQ chicken

My favorite way to serve this Korean BBQ chicken is to balance the protein with some vegetables or salad side dishes – either a spring mix salad , refreshing cucumber salad , broccoli , or an Asian salad . Then, pairing it with some cauliflower rice or basmati rice to soak up that delicious Korean BBQ sauce! Don’t forget to add some kimchi mayo on the side!

How to store Korean BBQ chicken

Allow any leftover chicken to cool, then store it in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can enjoy it cold from the refrigerator or reheat it in the microwave.

Can I use another cut of chicken?

You can! I commonly use chicken drumsticks or bone-in thighs, but you can use another cut – like chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs. Just note that cooking times vary. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is Korean BBQ chicken spicy?

The spice levels will vary according to what gochujang paste you use, but it does tend to have a pleasant hint of heat!

Korean BBQ Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

Korean BBQ Sauce

▢ 2 tablespoons tomato paste
▢ 1 tablespoon EACH: gochujang, honey, rice vinegar, and water
▢ ¼ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
▢ 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)

Korean BBQ Chicken

▢ 8 chicken drumsticks or bone-in thighs
▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
▢ ½ teaspooon EACH: salt and pepper
▢ Cilantro (to serve)

Instructions

Preheat your BBQ to medium heat. (TIP: Use a BBQ mat to keep your grill clean.)
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the tomato paste, gochujang, honey, rice vinegar, water, salt, pepper, and garlic to boil, then set aside. 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon EACH: gochujang, honey, rice vinegar, and water, 2 cloves garlic, ¼ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
Rub the chicken drumsticks or thighs with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Place the chicken on the grill, skin side up, and let it cook for 15 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook until the skin is crispy and it is nearly fully cooked, 8-10 minutes. 8 chicken drumsticks or bone-in thighs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspooon EACH: salt and pepper
Baste the chicken generously with the Korean BBQ sauce and cook for another 6 minutes, turning and basting again halfway.
Serve with a sprinkle of cilantro over the top. Cilantro

Notes

Nutrition

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .

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BBQ Korean Chicken on a serving plate - 9

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