Gochujang Chicken Thighs - Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

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Spicy gochujang chicken thighs cooked in the air fryer are a bold and delicious way to heat up your dinner plans! In this easy recipe bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs are marinated in a fiery blend of gochujang and soy sauce before air frying for less than 30 minutes. Pair with your favorite Asian-inspired side dishes to enjoy an effortless meal that is sure to excite everyone at the table!

Air fryer shredded chicken is another great air fryer recipe that is awesome for a meal prep of any kind.

air fried gochujang chicken thighs with lemon on the plate

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Recipe ingredients
How to make Gochujang chicken thighs in air fryer
Leftovers and reheating
Expert tips
Frequently asked questions
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Recipe

Versatile, inexpensive, and - most importantly - delicious... It's no wonder why bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs are one of our favorite proteins. And this air fryer gochujang chicken thighs recipe is sure to become one of your favorite dinners!

We combine a handful of ingredients like Korean gochujang paste, soy sauce, and honey to make a vibrant marinade. They are an irresistible balance of spicy, salty, umami, tangy, and sweet. In other words, this marinade has everything your taste buds want!

Prep the chicken in mere minutes - you can even toss the thighs into the marinade and refrigerate the night before or that morning. When ready to cook, simply place the marinated bone-in and skin-on thighs right into the air fryer. In under 30 minutes the skin is crisp and crunchy, while the meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth moist and tender.

The spiciness and sweetness are perfect to pair with steamed rice and any Asian-inspired side dishes you like! However you choose to serve, these thighs are great to add a pop of bold and exciting flavor to a busy weeknight or relaxing weekend!

Recipe ingredients

4 Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on thighs are dark meat pieces of chicken. This means they have more delectable fattiness and savory taste. Leaving the bone in keeps the meat super juicy, and the chicken skin gets nice and crispy in the air fryer.
Salt and Pepper: These classic spices are used to enhance the other ingredients. Just a pinch of both is necessary.
1 tablespoon of Olive Oil: Also known as EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) it is rich and buttery, and ideal for air frying.
3 tablespoons of Gochujang: Gochujang is popular condiment in Korean cuisine. It is a bright red and strong-smelling paste made with a combination of fermented glutinous rice, soybeans, and LOTS of chili powder.
1 tablespoon Soy Sauce: Originating from China, soy sauce is now a widely used condiment that's most prominent in Asian and Asian-inspired recipes. It's main ingredient is fermented soybeans, which give the sauce its iconic salty/sour taste.
1 tablespoon of Honey (optionally): The sweetness here helps to balance the spiciness and pungent taste of gochujang and soy.
1 tablespoon of Rice Vinegar: The acidity of the vinegar tenderizes the chicken thighs. Plus, it gives the marinade a yummy tart taste!
2 Garlic Cloves: Peel and mince the garlic to release the oil and earthy, savory flavor.
1 teaspoon Grated Ginger: Peel the ginger skin before using a fine grater. The taste of ginger is spicy and biting... Not the same kind of heat from chili powder, but more of a sharp punch of heat similar to wasabi.
1 tablespoon Sesame Oil: A mildly nutty oil that's perfect to use in traditional Asian marinades. It does not overpower the soy or other ingredients, but adds a nice richness.

creating a marinating mixture in the bowl

How to make Gochujang chicken thighs in air fryer

Let's make some flavorful chicken thighs with a Korean-inspired twist using gochujang and other tasty ingredients. Here's a detailed but straightforward way to do it:

You'll need 4 chicken thighs that have the bone in and the skin on. This recipe is all about creating a deliciously spicy and sweet coating for them.

First up, let's make the sauce that's going to give our chicken a ton of flavor. Grab a bowl and mix in 3 tablespoons of gochujang, which is a spicy Korean chili paste. Then, add 1 tablespoon each of soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. These ingredients will give our sauce a perfect balance of umami, sweetness, and acidity.

Now, throw in 2 cloves of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of grated ginger for that aromatic kick. Lastly, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to round out the flavors with its nutty richness.

Once your sauce is mixed, take your chicken thighs and season them lightly with salt and pepper. This is just to ensure the chicken itself is flavored before we add the sauce. Now, coat each thigh in the sauce you've just prepared. Make sure they're well covered.

Let the chicken marinate in this sauce for at least 30 minutes. If you've got time, you can even let them marinate longer in the fridge. The longer they marinate, the more flavorful they'll be.

When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 380°F. While it's heating up, brush the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil. This helps to prevent the chicken from sticking and adds a little extra richness. Place the marinated chicken in the basket, skin-side down to start. This positioning will help the skin get really crispy as it cooks.

Cook the chicken for 10 minutes like this. Then, carefully flip each thigh over so the skin side is up. This is when the skin will really start to crisp up. Continue to air fry the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This should take about 10-15 more minutes, depending on your air fryer and the size of your chicken thighs.

And there you have it! Once the chicken is cooked through and has reached the safe temperature, you're ready to enjoy. The result is spicy, slightly sweet, and savory chicken thighs with a beautiful glaze and crispy skin. Perfect for a tasty dinner that's packed with flavor.

Leftovers and reheating

Store gochujang chicken thighs in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure to scrape all the juices and sauce and add it to the container to keep the chicken moist.

Reheat in the air fryer or in the microwave until heated through and no longer cold.

Expert tips

The chicken is done when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check if its done.
Place chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Avoid overlapping or stacking pieces.
After cooking, make sure to clean your air fryer properly to prevent smoke and flavors from previous meals from affecting your next dish. Or simply use a parchment paper liners like i do.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to flip chicken in air fryer?

Yes, you should flip the chicken halfway through cook time. This ensures that the meat cooks evenly and thoroughly.

How long can I marinate chicken for?

Marinade the thighs in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 24 hours. After a day the meat will become over-tenderized and mushy.

What does gochujang taste like?

I think it's best described as "spicy funky"... There is a lot of heat from chili powder, and the fermented soy and other ingredients are salty and pungent. I can't get enough!

Can gochujang be eaten raw?

Yes, gochujang is often enjoyed in paste form as a condiment with other dishes. But, as mentioned, the heat and funkiness is strong so start with just a little taste!

Recipe