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Gochujang Grilled Chicken Thighs
Looking for something bold, fast, and full of flavour to throw on the grill tonight? Meet our new favourite: Gochujang Grilled Chicken Thighs. This Korean-inspired dish delivers the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and umami with minimal prep and maximum payoff.
As chefs, we’re always reaching for ingredients that do a lot with a little—and gochujang (Korean chili paste) is exactly that. It’s thick, funky, spicy, and just a touch sweet. The best part is, this Korean chili paste (gochujang) is widely available now online or at your local grocery store.
When you pair it with garlic, sesame, and a hot grill, the results are pure magic! I mean, look at those chicken thighs!
A Little History: What Is Gochujang?
Gochujang has been a staple in Korean cooking for centuries, traditionally made from red chili powder, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. It’s aged to develop its deep, funky richness—think of it as Korea’s answer to miso meets hot sauce.
While it’s long been essential in dishes like bibimbap and tteokbokki, its global popularity has surged in the past decade—and for good reason. It’s incredibly versatile and brings next-level flavour to just about everything it touches.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 25 Minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp roasted sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 2–3 tbsp water (to thin the sauce slightly)
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Kosher Salt, to taste
- Neutral oil for the grill
Instructions
- Make the Gochujang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the gochujang, sugar, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Add 2–3 tablespoons of water to loosen the sauce slightly—it should be brushable, but not watery.
- Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season lightly with salt. Place them in a shallow dish or resealable bag and pour half of the sauce over the chicken, reserving the rest for basting or drizzling later. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the fridge. Or, honestly, head straight to the grill if you’re short on time!
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high (about 400–425°F). Oil the grates lightly to help prevent sticking—especially important for skinless cuts.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs on the hot grill. Cook for 7-8 minutes per side, basting with a bit of the reserved sauce as you go. You’re looking for nice char marks and an internal temp of 175°F—thighs love a little extra heat for maximum tenderness, meaning, don’t hesitate to leave them on a little longer to fully tenderize the connective tissue in thighs.
- Baste with remaining sauce as you grill.
- Rest & Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Drizzle with any remaining sauce and serve with steamed rice, grilled veggies, or pickled cucumber for a fresh, crunchy contrast.
Notes
Why We Love This Gochujang Grilled Chicken Thigh Recipe
Gochujang does all the heavy lifting in this dish—it’s deeply savoury, a little sweet, and just the right kind of spicy. Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender on the grill, and the quick marinade gives you big flavour without a lot of fuss.
This recipe is ideal for:
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Quick weeknight grilling
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BBQ parties
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A new twist on meal prep
Pro Tips from the Studio Kitchen
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Double the sauce. It keeps in the fridge for a week and is delicious on noodles, ANYTHING panko crusted, our Crispy Tofu, and especially with our Bibimbap Bowls!
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Char is your friend. That caramelized gochujang gets even better with a little grill fire.
Cook With Us!
Like this recipe? You should try cooking with us! Start with an on-demand pre-recorded class, or jump in to the best experience with our live classes!
We have taken many classes over several years, and they never disappoint! Kristie & team always have great pointers and tricks to learn in the video. We love the Japanese burgers, and they are always a hit with guests. That's the thing: you make the recipe at home, it doesn't take a long time, and the result is so good that you want to make it again and again. Just try one, you'll see. 🙂I had such a fantastic experience at the cooking class! My daughter and I had an amazing time — our Bao Buns and Crispy Chicken turned out delicious, and we learned so much throughout the session. It was a fun, inspiring, and rewarding evening. I can’t wait to come back for another class. Highly recommend!Our virtual cooking class experience was top notch! Well organized, wonderfully communicated, and entertaining! A delicious outcome which boosted our confidence to try more challenging recipes in the future. Highly recommend!I have taken a few classes in the past - always find the products delicious, and I enjoy the challenge of trying to keep up :)I subscribe the updates and get links to recipes - I recently made the Olive Oil Lemon cake. It turned out delicious – as you said in the description, very moist! My daughter has a birthday in strawberry season and typically she asks for strawberry shortcake with a traditional shortcake recipe… I served the lemon came this weekend with a bit of whipping cream and fresh strawberries (your picture was quite enticing) and her comment was that her birthday request this year would be to replace the traditional shortcake with this recipe!I've taken several on-line cooking classes from The Culinary Studio and have really enjoyed each one. The recipes are delicious and the instructions are very well laid out. I always learn new cooking tips and skills.It has been most likely a year and a half since I’ve made moussaka. Having the recording available was a godsend. So good and lots of leftovers! Having the recording is priceless!I made Dan Dan noodles last month and again referred to the recording as it has been awhile. I was grateful for the reminders, tips and tricks. Not to mention, I love to cook with Kirstie and Jody. They make it so much fun!Most of the meals I make are from your repertoire. I think I have close to 60!Love these ladies! Classes are easy to follow, informative, filled with all kinds of tricks & tips and best of all DELICIOUS!! This is our "night out" dining adventure that we can re-do & show off to our family & friends.My husband and I joined the Valentine's Day Date Night cooking class. Very enjoyable experience full of informative tips and thorough explanations followed by a delectable meal. Thank you Kirstie & Jodie. We'll be back!I recently did an online Lamb Briyani class. It used some cooking techniques I wasn't familiar with and produced a dish that was as tasty as the best Indian food I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying.I have done a few classes with the Culinary Studio and always enjoy the classes and the fabulous meals. They deliver the food to my door all prepped for the class if I like (which I do!). Highly recommended.We did a virtual zoom cooking class. It was better than cooking classes we have done in a actual class. We really enjoyed our ourselves. We have made the meal a couple of times since the class. We have friends over for the session and have great restaurant quality mealsThe Culinary Studio is an wonderful online chef duo!You will learn delicious recipes taught in real time from start to end by two good friends who want nothing more than to teach you how to cook and and have fun doing it. Class presentation is practical and encouraging with one chef starting and one playing 'catch up' so you do not miss anything and no question will go unanswered!The recipe with food pack is perfectly packaged and always arrives on time to make it easy so you do not have to shop!Several recipes from the Culinary Studio are in our regular rotation!Excited to keep cooking with you Kirstie and Jody!Online classes have allowed me the convenience to open my computer and learn in the comfort of my home and to do the class on my own schedule rather than missing out due to life's interruptions. Classes are paced well and the chef's are ready to answer your cooking questions even if they are unrelated to the class. I have used the recipes frequently in my day to day life and recently at an event where I overhead participants raving about the soup and cookies I had prepared, which were from Culinary Studio class recipes.I was at the Studio for the very first class they held and I have continued to take classes for the past 13 years. While some things have changed over the years, the quality, knowledge and skills Jody and Kirstie bring to each class has not.The skills I learned through the their instruction have been used daily.To Chefs Kirstie & Jody! My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed the recipes and techniques we have acquired by following your live sessions and on-demand courses available on your website. You have a casual and an informative style that is very appealing. Most importantly both of you thrive on good food and beverage as much as we do! Bravo - we hope your future includes many more years of teaching and developing new dishes. Thank you. 🙂 -
Want extra heat? Add a splash of sriracha or a pinch of Korean chili flakes (gochugaru).
🌟 Variations & Substitutions for Gochujang Grilled Chicken Thighs
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Protein Swap: Try this marinade on pork chops, tofu, salmon, or even cauliflower steaks.
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No grill? Use a cast iron pan or oven broiler to get that same charred effect.
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Spice Level: Dial it up with a splash of sriracha or Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), or keep it mild by reducing the gochujang to 2 tbsp.
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Add fresh ginger: A little grated ginger gives it a bright, zippy edge.
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Sweetener swap: Honey or maple syrup work well instead of sugar.
❓ Common Questions about our Gochujang Grilled Chicken Thighs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Marinate the chicken up to a day in advance. Leftovers also reheat beautifully.
Is gochujang really spicy?
It’s more of a gentle, warming heat. Gochujang is spicy, but also rich and slightly sweet. Great for spice newbies. Look carefully at the containers– there are variations in the spice levels indicated by ‘chiles’ on th box.
Where can I buy gochujang?
Most major grocery stores carry it now in the international aisle, or find it at Asian supermarkets and online. Locally, we shop at a small, independently owned Korean Grocery Store.
Can I freeze marinated Gochujang chicken thighs?
Yes! Mix the marinade and chicken in a freezer bag and freeze raw. Thaw overnight and cook as usual. We’ve done this before a weekend cottage or camping trip.
What sides go best with this?
Steamed jasmine rice, pickled cucumbers, shredded carrots, kimchi, or a crisp cabbage slaw all pair perfectly. Try our Kimchi Fried Rice!
Final Thoughts: Grill these Gochujang Grilled Chicken Thighs Boldly
This Gochujang Grilled Chicken Thighs recipe is the kind of dish that earns you compliments, even if you’re just cooking for yourself. It’s quick to prep, unforgettable in flavour, and perfect for grilling season—or anytime you’re craving something bold and vibrant.
It’s spicy. It’s sweet. It’s smoky. And most importantly, it’s a little different. So grab the gochujang, fire up the grill, and give your dinner some serious personality!
If you love Korean flavours, we highly recommend our top-rated Bibimbap Cooking Class! Click HERE to sign up!
