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Gochujang Chicken Tacos on a brown cutting board
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4.50 from 2 votes

Korean BBQ Gochujang Chicken Tacos

An easy and delicious weeknight dinner: Korean BBQ Chicken Tacos! Change up your usual Taco Tuesday by adding Korean Gochujang Chicken instead of the usual ground beef or pork carnitas. Also known as Korean BBQ Chicken, it's a popular meat served at Korean restaurants. Juicy chicken thighs are marinated with Gochujang (Korean chili paste). The spicy-sweet flavor is savory, smoky, and exciting. Add to soft tacos with juicy pineapple, spicy jalapeno, and crisp cabbage. Easy and delicious.
Prep Time14 minutes
Cook Time16 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Fusion Food, Korean
Keyword: Gochujang Chicken Tacos
Servings: 6 (3 tacos per person)
Calories: 702kcal
Author: Lis Lam

Equipment

  • Large Sheet Pan
  • Air Fryer
  • Non-stick Skillet
  • Large Bowl
  • tongs

Ingredients

Gochujang Chicken:

  • 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2-3 pounds)
  • 1/2 cup Gochujang (Korean fermented chili paste) (use only 2 Tbsp for a less spicy version)
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 Tb soy sauce
  • 1 Tb Mirin or rice wine
  • 2 Tb sugar
  • 1 Tb sesame seed oil

Toppings:

  • 1/2 head small green cabbage
  • 1 pineapple
  • 2 jalapenos
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 lime
  • 18 mini flour tortillas (6 inches) *make it gluten-free with corn tortillas (3 tacos per person)

Instructions

  • If using the oven, preheat on BROIL function.  Preheat for at least 10 minutes on high heat. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.
  • If using the Air Fryer, preheat at 400F for 5 minutes.

Marinate Gochujang Chicken:

  • In a large bowl, add Gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, mirin, sugar, and sesame oil. Whisk well until there are not clumps.
  • Add chicken and mix with tongs until chicken is thoroughly coated with marinade.  If possible, marinate overnight for best flavor.

Oven Broil Instructions:

  • Arrange chicken on the foil-lined sheet pan in one single layer. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan and that there's enough space between the chicken.
  • Broil chicken on one side until little charred bits begin to show, about 6-8 minutes.  Flip the chicken and broil until chicken is cooked through and more charred bits begin to show, another 6-8 minutes.  
  • Remove chicken from the oven and transfer to a kitchen counter. Let the meat rest (on the sheet pan) for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a cutting board and slice into thin strips.  Place in a serving bowl and set aside.  

Air Fryer Instructions:

  • Add a small piece of parchment paper to the bottom of the Air Fryer, making sure it does not touch the heat element on the top. (It can catch fire, if touching.)
  • Arrange chicken on the parchment-lined Air Fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket and that's there a little space between the chicken pieces. You may have to cook in the chicken in batches. Cook at 400F for 5 minutes until the edges are firm and no longer pink.
  • Flip to the other side and cook at 400F for another 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and charred bits begin to show.
  • Remove chicken from the Air Fryer and transfer to a plate. Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes. Repeat until all the chicken is cooked.
  • Transfer chicken to a cutting board and slice into thin strips.  Place in a serving bowl and set aside.  

Pan frying Instructions:

  • Add 1-2 tsp oil in a non-stick skillet and heat over medium heat. When the pan is hot (but not smoking), gently add the chicken pieces. Cook until the chicken is brown with a little charring, about 4 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces and cook on the other side, another 4-5 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.
  • Remove chicken from the skillet and transfer to a plate. Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a cutting board and slice into thin strips.  Place in a serving bowl and set aside.  

Prep the Toppings:

  • Shred cabbage. Peel, core, and thinly slice pineapple. Thinly slice jalapeno. Slice avocado or use ready-made guacamole. Cut lime into wedges. As you prep each item, place in a separate bowl or platter.
  • Warm the tortillas. Tightly cover with foil and place in a 350F oven for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
  • In a small bowl, add sour cream and lime zest (from 1 lime). Mix and set aside.

To Serve:

  • Bring everything to the table. Make sure to add hot sauce! People can assemble their own tacos. Enjoy.

Notes

Tips:
  • Marinate chicken overnight. If you can, marinating the chicken overnight results in the best flavor.
  • Add lime zest to sour cream. A little lime zest makes the sour cream special!
  • Thinly slice pineapple. Thick pineapple is difficult to eat. To make it easier, slice pineapple as thinly as possible. Avoid the core and cut around it, as it's very hard.
  • Warm tortillas. Wrap in foil, tightly sealed, in 350F oven or Air Fryer for 5-10 minutes until heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Calories: 702kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 166mg | Sodium: 1186mg | Potassium: 955mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 538IU | Vitamin C: 113mg | Calcium: 249mg | Iron: 6mg