Special Sauce Grilled Chicken Thighs
Spicy and Sweet Grilled Chicken Thighs with a Special BBQ-style Sauce
Enjoy this incredibly tender and flavorful grilled chicken thigh recipe right at home! Marinated in a homemade, special BBQ-inspired sauce, these chicken thighs boast a slightly spicy exterior with a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Boneless and easy to eat, their tender texture makes them a crowd-pleaser for all ages, perfect as a delicious side dish for any meal. If you’re craving something spicy, this dish is sure to satisfy your appetite!
Main Ingredients- 5 boneless, skinless chicken thigh pieces
- 5 perilla leaves (깻잎)
- 20g garlic chives (부추)
- A little cooking oil (for greasing the pan)
Chicken Marinade Ingredients- 2 Tbsp plain yogurt
- 3 Tbsp rice wine (cheongju or mirin)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Special Grilling Sauce Ingredients- 3 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp oligo-dang (or corn syrup/honey)
- 0.5 Tbsp curry powder
- 0.5 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum extract)
- 0.5 Tbsp rice wine (cheongju or mirin)
- 1 Tbsp chili sauce (e.g., Sriracha or sweet chili)
- 1 Tbsp chili oil
- 1 tsp black pepper
- A little sesame oil
- A little sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp plain yogurt
- 3 Tbsp rice wine (cheongju or mirin)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Special Grilling Sauce Ingredients- 3 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp oligo-dang (or corn syrup/honey)
- 0.5 Tbsp curry powder
- 0.5 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum extract)
- 0.5 Tbsp rice wine (cheongju or mirin)
- 1 Tbsp chili sauce (e.g., Sriracha or sweet chili)
- 1 Tbsp chili oil
- 1 tsp black pepper
- A little sesame oil
- A little sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Rinse the chicken thighs and pat them dry. Wash the perilla leaves and garlic chives, then drain them well.
Step 2
Prepare the chicken thighs. Make a deep incision down the center of each chicken thigh piece to help separate the meat from the bone if it hasn’t been fully deboned. Spread the meat out, then cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm each. This helps the marinade penetrate better and makes cooking easier.
Step 3
Marinate the chicken to tenderize it and remove any gamey odors. In a bowl, combine the cut chicken thigh pieces with 2 Tbsp plain yogurt, 3 Tbsp rice wine, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently mix everything together to coat the chicken evenly. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the special grilling sauce. In a separate bowl, combine 3 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp oligo-dang, 0.5 Tbsp curry powder, 0.5 Tbsp doenjang, 1 Tbsp maesilcheong, 0.5 Tbsp rice wine, 1 Tbsp chili sauce, 1 Tbsp chili oil, and 1 tsp black pepper. Whisk all the ingredients together until well combined and smooth. Adding a small amount of doenjang enhances the umami flavor.
Step 5
Thinly slice the washed perilla leaves into strips. Their refreshing aroma will complement the chicken beautifully.
Step 6
Add the marinated chicken pieces to the bowl with the prepared grilling sauce. Use your hands to gently massage the sauce into the chicken, ensuring every piece is well-coated. Letting the chicken marinate in this sauce will allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
Step 7
Time to grill! Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a little cooking oil. Place the sauced chicken pieces into the hot pan. Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Be mindful of the heat to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 8
Once the chicken thighs are beautifully browned on both sides and cooked through, they’re ready! You’ll have a delicious grilled chicken thigh with a slightly crisp exterior and a wonderfully tender interior. Remember to flip them periodically to ensure even cooking and prevent scorching.
Step 9
Finally, plate your masterpiece. Arrange the washed garlic chives on a serving dish, then carefully place the grilled chicken thighs on top. Garnish generously with the julienned perilla leaves. This vibrant and flavorful spicy grilled chicken thigh dish is a fantastic main course that looks as good as it tastes, perfect for a weeknight dinner or for entertaining guests.
