Fiery Korean Buldak Recipe: Spice Up Your Dinner Tonight!

Fiery Korean spicy chicken, or buldak recipe, sets taste buds ablaze with its intense heat and bold flavors.

Originating from street food culture, this dish packs a serious punch of spiciness that challenges even seasoned chili lovers.

Succulent chicken pieces are coated in a blazing red sauce that promises to deliver an unforgettable culinary experience.

The combination of gochugaru, gochujang, and other Korean chili ingredients creates a symphony of heat and depth.

Each bite promises a thrilling balance between scorching spice and rich, complex flavors.

Adventurous eaters and spice enthusiasts will find this recipe an irresistible challenge to their heat tolerance.

Dive into this explosive Korean chicken sensation and test your spice limits.

All The Heat In Buldak Recipe

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that absorbs flavors wonderfully, choose boneless and skinless for easy cooking.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami, select low-sodium for better salt control.
• Rice Wine: Tenderizes meat and enhances overall flavor profile, look for authentic Korean varieties.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and aromatic complexity.

• Gochugaru, Gochujang: Korean red pepper powders creating signature fiery kick, select authentic brands for genuine taste.
• Brown Sugar: Balances spiciness with gentle sweetness, opt for dark brown sugar for richer flavor.
• Rice Syrup: Adds glossy texture and mild sweetness, traditional Korean sweetener.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces nutty undertones, choose cold-pressed for maximum flavor.
• Minced Garlic, Grated Ginger: Aromatic foundations delivering robust warmth, use fresh for most vibrant taste.
• Water: Helps create smooth, consistent sauce texture.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy element that mellows intense spiciness, select low-moisture variety.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish adding bright, crisp notes.
• Sesame Seeds: Provides delightful crunch and nutty accent.

What You’ll Need For Buldak Recipe Prep

• Large Skillet or Pan: Essential for cooking the chicken and creating the perfect buldak sauce.
• Small Mixing Bowls: Needed for marinating chicken and preparing the spicy sauce.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and coating chicken with sauce.
• Measuring Spoons and Cups: Crucial for accurately measuring ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Helpful if using block mozzarella for shredding.
• Lid: Used to melt cheese over the chicken.
• Cutting Board: For chopping green onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: For mincing garlic, grating ginger, and chopping green onions.

How To Cook Buldak Recipe With Kick

• Flavor Bath

Immerse chicken pieces in a zesty blend of soy goodness, letting the marinade work its magic for a short while.

• Spicy Sauce Creation

Whip up a fiery sauce mixing Korea’s signature chili elements, blending heat and sweetness into a smooth concoction.

• Sizzling Transformation

Awaken a skillet with gentle heat, dancing chicken pieces until golden edges emerge, releasing tantalizing aromas.

• Saucy Symphony

Drench chicken in the spicy mixture, allowing flavors to mingle and deepen, simmering gently until sauce hugs each morsel.

• Cheesy Crown

Blanket the dish with a snow of melty mozzarella, letting it transform into a gooey, irresistible layer.

• Final Flourish

Sprinkle green onion confetti and sesame seed sparkles, creating a vibrant finish. Serve alongside fluffy rice or crisp pickled radish to balance the fire.

Tips To Balance Spice In Buldak Recipe

• Fire-Proof Spice Management: Adjust the gochugaru and gochujang quantities to control the heat level, making it milder for sensitive palates or extra spicy for heat lovers.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or beef for diverse protein options that work perfectly with the intense Korean-style sauce.
• Dairy-Free Cheese Trick: Use plant-based mozzarella or nutritional yeast for a creamy topping that keeps the dish lactose-free while maintaining rich flavor profiles.
• Low-Carb Serving Suggestion: Skip the rice and serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate intake without compromising the delicious spicy essence of the dish.
• Quick Meal Prep Strategy: Marinate chicken in advance and store in sealed containers for up to 24 hours, allowing deeper flavor penetration and saving precious cooking time during busy weeknights.

Serving Buldak Recipe Hot And Spicy

• Spicy Rice Bowl Delight: Pile the buldak chicken over a bed of steamed white rice, creating a hearty and satisfying meal that soaks up the delicious sauce.
• Cooling Companion Plate: Serve alongside crisp cucumber slices, kimchi, or a refreshing pickled radish to provide a cooling contrast to the fiery chicken.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Top the chicken with extra melted cheese and add a sprinkle of green onions for a decadent and indulgent eating experience that amplifies the rich flavors.
• Wrap it Up: Use soft tortillas or lettuce leaves to create spicy chicken wraps, perfect for a quick and portable meal that showcases the bold buldak flavors.

How To Store Leftover Buldak Recipe

• Quick Cool Down Technique: Let the buldak cool for 5-10 minutes after cooking to enhance sauce absorption and prevent burning your mouth.
• Refrigeration Ready Plan: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days, keeping the sauce and meat separate to maintain crispy texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen buldak stays delicious for 2-3 months.
• Reheating Pro Tip: Warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and maintain the original spicy, cheesy goodness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 540 kcal

Servings: 3

Fiery Buldak Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Fiery Korean buldak chicken promises an explosive culinary journey through spicy flavor landscapes. Spice enthusiasts and heat seekers will discover a thrilling taste adventure that challenges palates and ignites culinary passion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsps gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
• 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice wine (mirin or sake)
• 1 tbsp rice syrup (or honey)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup water
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds (optional garnish)

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Instructions

1. Marinate: Submerge chicken in a blend of soy sauce, rice wine, and black pepper. Let the protein absorb flavors for 15 minutes, ensuring deep seasoning penetration.
2. Sauce Creation: Whisk gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, rice syrup, brown sugar, sesame oil, crushed garlic, grated ginger, and water into a smooth, uniform sauce with vibrant complexity.
3. Searing: Heat skillet with light oil, introducing marinated chicken. Brown the pieces thoroughly, developing a crisp exterior and sealing in succulent flavors for approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Sauce Integration: Pour prepared sauce over chicken, ensuring complete coverage. Reduce heat, allowing the mixture to simmer and transform into a glossy, robust glaze that clings delicately to each piece.
5. Caramelization: Continue cooking until chicken reaches optimal doneness, concentrating sauce flavors and creating a rich, spicy coating with deep caramelized notes.
6. Cheese Infusion: Sprinkle mozzarella across the chicken’s surface. Cover skillet, melting cheese into a luxurious, stretchy layer that harmonizes with the fiery protein.
7. Presentation: Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Plate alongside steamed rice or pickled radish to balance the intense, spicy culinary experience.

Notes

• Marinate Mindfully: Let chicken soak in marinade for exactly 15 minutes to maximize flavor absorption without compromising meat texture.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust gochugaru and gochujang quantities to customize heat intensity, perfect for different spice tolerances.
• Perfect Searing Technique: Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve that golden-brown chicken exterior without steaming.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Choose low-moisture mozzarella and cover skillet briefly to create a smooth, stringy cheese layer that complements the spicy chicken without becoming greasy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 920mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 120mg