Easy 30-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken

If you’re craving bold flavors, quick cooking, and a dinner that feels exciting without being complicated, Easy 30-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken is exactly what your weeknight needs. This dish delivers everything people love about Korean-inspired cooking—heat, sweetness, umami, and that irresistible sticky glaze—without long marinating times, hard-to-find ingredients, or hours in the kitchen.

Tender strips of chicken are coated in a glossy, spicy-savory sauce made with sriracha, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. The result is a meal that tastes like it came from your favorite Korean takeout spot, yet it’s completely achievable at home in under 30 minutes of active cooking time.

Whether you’re cooking for family, meal-prepping for the week, or just looking for a fast and flavorful dinner after a long day, this Easy 30-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken hits all the right notes. It’s customizable, crowd-pleasing, and pairs beautifully with steamed rice and crisp broccoli for a balanced, satisfying meal.

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Why You’ll Love This Easy 30-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken

There are countless chicken recipes out there, but this one stands out for several important reasons. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it deserves a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.

1. It’s Truly Weeknight-Friendly

This Easy 30-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken is designed for busy evenings. The marinade comes together in minutes, the chicken cooks quickly, and the sauce thickens right in the pan. No oven, no complicated steps, no stress.

2. Big Flavor, Simple Ingredients

You don’t need specialty Korean pantry items to get incredible flavor. Sriracha, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and chili powder work together to create a sauce that’s spicy, savory, slightly sweet, and deeply satisfying.

3. Perfect Balance of Heat and Sweet

The spice level is customizable, making this recipe ideal for both heat lovers and those who prefer a milder kick. You control the sriracha and chili powder, so everyone at the table is happy.

4. Great for Meal Prep

This chicken reheats beautifully, making it an excellent option for lunches throughout the week. The sauce stays glossy and flavorful, even after reheating.

5. Endless Serving Options

Serve it over rice, tuck it into lettuce wraps, spoon it over noodles, or enjoy it as part of a Korean-inspired bowl. This recipe adapts easily to whatever you have on hand.

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What Makes Korean-Inspired Chicken So Irresistible?

Korean-style chicken is famous for its bold, layered flavors. Unlike simple salt-and-pepper seasoning, Korean-inspired sauces balance multiple taste elements at once:

• Spicy from chili sauces and powders

• Sweet from honey or sugar

• Salty from soy sauce

• Aromatic from garlic and ginger

In this Easy 30-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken, those elements come together in a sticky glaze that coats every piece of chicken, making each bite incredibly flavorful. The sauce clings to the meat, ensuring you get heat and sweetness in every forkful.

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Ingredients for Easy 30-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken

Chicken

• 500 g (1 lb) chicken breast fillets, cut into strips

Marinade

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

• 2 tablespoons sriracha

• ½–1 teaspoon cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1-inch (2.5 cm) piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

For Serving

• Steamed rice

• Steamed tenderstem broccoli

• Dry roasted peanuts, chopped

• Lime wedges

• Green onions, sliced

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Ingredient Tips and Substitutions

Chicken

Chicken breast keeps this dish lean and fast-cooking, but chicken thighs are a fantastic alternative. Thighs stay extra juicy and are more forgiving if slightly overcooked.

Sriracha

Sriracha provides both heat and garlic flavor. If you prefer a different chili sauce, sambal oelek or gochujang-style chili paste can be used, adjusting sweetness as needed.

Soy Sauce

Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended to keep the dish from becoming overly salty, especially since the sauce reduces slightly in the pan.

Honey

Honey balances the spice and helps create that sticky glaze. Brown sugar or maple syrup can be used as substitutes.

Cornstarch

Just a small amount helps thicken the sauce and gives it that glossy, restaurant-style finish.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, sriracha, cornstarch, soy sauce, honey, minced ginger, garlic, and chili powder until smooth. Add the chicken strips and toss well to coat every piece evenly.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. If time allows, marinating for a few hours or overnight will deepen the flavor even more.

2. Prepare the Sides

While the chicken marinates, cook your rice according to package instructions and steam the tenderstem broccoli until just tender but still vibrant green. Keep both warm until serving.

3. Cook the Chicken

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade.

Add the chicken strips to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook for 5–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden and fully cooked through.

4. Finish the Sauce

Reduce the heat slightly and pour the reserved marinade into the skillet. Simmer for about 2 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens into a sticky glaze that coats the chicken beautifully.

5. Serve

Serve the spicy chicken over steamed rice, alongside tenderstem broccoli. Garnish with chopped peanuts, sliced green onions, and fresh lime wedges for brightness.

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Tips for the Best Easy 30-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken

Control the Heat

For a milder version, reduce the sriracha or chili powder. For extra spice, add a pinch of crushed red pepper or an extra spoonful of sriracha.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

If your skillet is small, cook the chicken in batches. Overcrowding can cause steaming instead of browning, which reduces flavor.

Make It Extra Sticky

If you love a thick glaze, add an extra pinch of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water to the sauce as it simmers.

Add Texture

Chopped peanuts add crunch, but sesame seeds or cashews work just as well.

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Serving Suggestions

This Easy 30-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken is incredibly versatile. Here are a few delicious ways to serve it:

• Over jasmine or basmati rice

• With fried rice or garlic rice

• In lettuce wraps for a lighter option

• Over noodles for a spicy Korean-inspired noodle bowl

• Paired with pickled cucumbers or kimchi-style vegetables

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Storage and Reheating

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce, or microwave in short intervals, stirring between each.

Freezing

While best enjoyed fresh, the cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Print

Nutrition (Per Serving, Approximate)

• Calories: 420 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 32 g

• Protein: 35 g

• Fat: 18 g

• Saturated Fat: 3 g

• Cholesterol: 95 mg

• Sodium: 720 mg

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Final Thoughts

Easy 30-Minute Spicy Korean Chicken is the kind of recipe that proves you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something bold, comforting, and deeply satisfying. It’s fast enough for busy weeknights yet flavorful enough to serve to guests, making it a true all-rounder in any home kitchen.

What makes this dish especially appealing is its flexibility. You can adjust the heat, swap the protein, change up the sides, or even turn it into a bowl or wrap. No matter how you serve it, the sticky, spicy-savory sauce delivers that crave-worthy flavor every time.