7 Dakgalbi Recipes: A Spicy Korean Chicken Stir-fry

Fire up your taste buds and get ready for a flavor explosion with these 7 incredible dakgalbi recipes! This spicy Korean chicken stir-fry is a culinary adventure, featuring tender chicken marinated in a fiery gochujang-based sauce, then sizzled to perfection with a medley of vegetables and chewy tteok (rice cakes). Whether you’re a seasoned Korean food enthusiast or just craving a bold and satisfying meal, these dakgalbi recipes offer a delicious journey into the heart of Korean cuisine. Explore the variations, from classic to cheesy, and discover your new favorite Korean chicken dish.

Spicy Dak Galbi (Korean Chicken Stir-fry)

This recipe guides you through making delicious and easy Dak Galbi, a popular Korean spicy chicken stir-fry. With a simple marinade and readily available ingredients, you can enjoy this flavorful dish at home.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts

For the Vegetables:

• 1/2 onion
• 1/4 cabbage
• 1/2 sweet potato

For the Spicy Sauce:

• 3 tbsp Korean chili sauce (Gochujang)
• 1 tbsp Korean chili powder (Gochugaru)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Other:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• (Optional) Shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.

2. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine all the spicy sauce ingredients. Add 2/3 of the sauce to the chicken, reserving the remaining 1/3 for later. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the chicken to marinate thoroughly.

3. Prepare the Vegetables: Cut the cabbage into small pieces, the sweet potatoes into thick slices, and the onions into thin strips.

4. Cook the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until softened. Add the sweet potatoes and cook for about 5 minutes, until they begin to brown. Finally, add the cabbage and mix well.

5. Cook the Chicken: Push the vegetables to the sides of the pan, creating space in the center. Add the marinated chicken to the center of the pan. Cook the chicken without stirring until it’s almost fully cooked. Then, mix the chicken with the vegetables.

6. Finish the Dish: Add the reserved spicy sauce to the pan and continue cooking for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

7. Serve: Your Dak Galbi is ready! Serve hot.

8. Optional: For an extra cheesy touch, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the Dak Galbi before serving. Enjoy!

Dak-galbi: A Spicy Korean Chicken Stir-fry

This recipe guides you through making a delicious and easy Dak-galbi, a popular Korean spicy chicken stir-fry. With a simple list of ingredients and clear step-by-step instructions, you’ll be enjoying this flavorful dish in no time.

Ingredients:

• Chicken: 600g deboned chicken thigh/breast, cut into chunks
• Vegetables: 1 onion (sliced), 40g carrot (julienned), 100g cabbage (shredded), 4 cloves garlic (minced), 15g ginger (minced), 2 scallions (julienned)
• Cheese: 40g mozzarella cheese
• Oil: 30ml vegetable oil
• Seasoning: 30g gochujang (Korean chili paste), 30g gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), 10g peanut butter, 2g curry powder, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp mirin, 200ml chicken stock, 1 tsp sesame oil
• Topping: 1 scallion (finely chopped)

Instructions:

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ginger, sautéing for about 1 minute.
2. Cook Chicken with Seasoning: Add the chicken to the skillet, followed by mirin, gochujang, gochugaru, peanut butter, and curry powder. Sauté until the chicken releases its juices and browns slightly.
3. Add Vegetables: Add the sliced onion, julienned carrot, and shredded cabbage. Continue stir-frying for 5 minutes, or until the onion softens.
4. Simmer with Stock: Pour in the chicken stock, stirring to combine with the chicken and vegetables.
5. Thicken Sauce and Add Cheese: Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the julienned scallions and mozzarella cheese. Cook until the sauce thickens.
6. Serve: Once the sauce reaches your desired consistency, remove from heat and transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with finely chopped scallions.

Spicy Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry (Dak Galbi Inspired)

This recipe puts a beefy spin on the classic Korean dish Dak Galbi, transforming it into a flavorful and easy-to-make stir-fry. The bold, spicy marinade coats tender beef and is then combined with a medley of fresh vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 2 tbsp red pepper powder (or chili powder)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp mirin
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 0.5 inch ginger, grated
• 4 cloves garlic, grated

For the Stir-Fry:

• Cubed beef
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 1/2 Chinese cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 sweet potato, sliced
• Salt, pepper, and sugar to taste

Instructions

1. Marinate the Beef: In a large bowl, combine all marinade ingredients. Add the cubed beef and thoroughly coat it with ¾ of the marinade, reserving the remaining ¼ for later use.

2. Sear the Beef: Remove the beef from the marinade. Heat cooking oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until about ¾ cooked through, approximately 2-4 minutes.

3. Add Vegetables and Sauce: Add the sliced vegetables (cabbage, carrots, onion, and sweet potato) and the reserved marinade to the pan with the beef. Stir-fry until the vegetables are tender-crisp and the beef is cooked through.

4. Season and Serve: Season with salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Easy Dak Galbi (Korean Spicy Stir-fried Chicken)

This recipe provides a simple and delicious way to enjoy Dak Galbi, a popular Korean dish. With easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 500 g boneless chicken thighs

Vegetables:

• 140 g green cabbage
• 1 small Korean sweet potato (goguma, about 140g)
• 6-8 kkaennip (perilla leaves)
• 2 scallions
• Carrot (optional)
• Onion (optional)

Sauce:

• 1½-2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red chili pepper flakes)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1-2 teaspoons Korean curry powder (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice wine
• ½ tablespoon corn syrup (or more sugar)
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean red chili pepper paste)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Make the Sauce: Combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.

2. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Add the chicken to the sauce (reserve one tablespoon if planning to make fried rice later) and marinate while preparing the vegetables.

3. Prepare the Vegetables: Halve the sweet potato lengthwise, then thinly slice it crosswise at a slight diagonal. Chop the cabbage, kkaennip (perilla leaves), and scallions into small pieces. Slice any optional vegetables like carrots or onions.

4. Cook the Dak Galbi: Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Adding a tablespoon of oil is optional. Add the chicken, sweet potatoes, and cabbage to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat if the ingredients begin to stick. The vegetables will release steam, preventing sticking, but you can add a few spoons of water if the pan becomes too dry.

5. Serve: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove from heat and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Dak-galbi (Spicy Stir-fried Chicken & Vegetables)

This recipe guides you through making the popular Korean dish, Dak-galbi. It’s a flavorful and easy stir-fry featuring tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a spicy gochujang-based sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a weekend feast.

Ingredients

Chicken and Vegetables

• 500g Chicken Fillets (breast OR thigh)
• 1/2 Onion
• 1/2-1 Carrot
• 2-3 Cabbage Leaves (about 150g)
• 1-2 thick Spring Onion
• 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil

Sauce

• 1 clove Garlic (grated)
• 1 small piece Ginger (grated)
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean Spicy Miso) – add more for extra heat
• 2 tablespoons Sake (Rice Wine)
• 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
• Chilli Flakes OR Ground Chilli (optional, for added spiciness)

Instructions

1. Prepare the ingredients: Slice or cut all the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Also, cut the chicken fillets into bite-sized pieces.

2. Marinate the chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients. Add the chicken pieces and mix well to coat. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce.

3. Stir-fry the vegetables: Heat the sesame oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and cabbage. Stir-fry for a few minutes until they begin to soften.

4. Cook the chicken and combine: Add the marinated chicken along with all the sauce to the pan. Stir until the chicken is almost cooked through. Then, add the spring onion and stir.

5. Simmer to finish: Cover the frying pan with a lid and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.

Dakgalbi: Spicy Korean Chicken Stir-Fry

This recipe guides you through making Dakgalbi, a flavorful and spicy Korean chicken stir-fry. It features tender chicken marinated in a rich, savory, and spicy sauce, stir-fried with a mix of vegetables. Get ready to experience a delicious and authentic Korean culinary adventure!

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade:

• 3 chicken thigh fillets
• 2.5 tbsp Gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
• 3 tbsp Gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
• 2.5 tbsp soy sauce
• 5-6 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 100 ml mirin
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
• Black pepper (to taste)

Vegetables and Extras:

• 200g cabbage
• 150g sweet potatoes
• 1.5 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1 medium onion
• 2-3 stalks spring onion
• Mozzarella cheese (optional)
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine the chicken with all the marinade ingredients. It’s important to use Gochugaru and Gochujang for authentic flavor. Mix thoroughly, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Wear gloves while mixing or use a spoon/fork as the marinade can be spicy. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or longer for a more intense flavor.

2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the chicken marinates, chop the cabbage, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, onion, and spring onions into smaller pieces.

3. Stir-fry: Heat the cooking oil in a wide, shallow pan (a skillet or paella pan works well) over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables to the pan, followed by the marinated chicken and the remaining marinade. Let it cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes.

4. Combine and Cook: Gently stir the chicken and vegetables together, distributing the sauce evenly. Avoid stirring too frequently; occasional stirring is sufficient.

5. Serve (Optional Cheese): Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, you can add mozzarella cheese. Make a space in the center of the pan, add the cheese, and let it melt. Serve hot with rice and your favorite Korean side dishes like kimchi or bean sprouts.

Spicy Korean Chicken Stir-fry (Dak Galbi)

This recipe guides you through making Dak Galbi, a flavorful Korean stir-fry featuring tender chicken, vegetables, and a vibrant, spicy sauce. It’s a delicious and satisfying meal, perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

For the Dak Galbi:

• 1/2 kg Boneless Chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup Sweet Potato, chopped into large pieces
• 1/2 cup Carrots, chopped into large pieces
• 1/2 cup Cabbage, chopped into large pieces
• 2 Leeks, chopped diagonally
• 1 tsp Sesame Seeds

For the Sauce:

• 1 cup (50 grams) Kashmiri Red Chillies
• 1 tbsp Red Chilli Powder
• 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 12 cloves Garlic
• 1/2 tbsp Black Pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp Sugar
• 1 tbsp Roasted Sesame Oil
• 1 tbsp Sunflower Oil
• Seaweed (optional)

For Serving:

• Lettuce Leaves
• Hot Green Chillies, cut diagonally
• Garlic, chopped diagonally
• 1 cup Plain Steamed White Rice

Instructions

Make the Sauce:

1. Deseed the Kashmiri red chillies and soak them in hot water for 20 minutes.
2. Combine the soaked chillies, red chilli powder, soy sauce, garlic, black pepper, salt, and sugar in a blender. Process into a smooth paste, adding water as needed.
3. Heat 1/2 tbsp roasted sesame oil and 1/2 tbsp sunflower oil in a pan.
4. Add the chilli paste to the pan and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat. The sauce is now ready.

Prepare the Dak Galbi:

1. Marinate the chicken with 2 tablespoons of the sauce for 20 minutes.
2. Heat 1/2 tbsp roasted sesame oil and 1/2 tbsp sunflower oil in a large, flat, heavy-bottomed pan.
3. Add the sweet potato, carrots, cabbage, and leeks to the pan. Sauté briefly.
4. Add the marinated chicken and 2 more tablespoons of the sauce to the pan.
5. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, adding salt if needed.
6. Sprinkle with roasted sesame seeds.

Serve the Dak Galbi:

1. Place a lettuce leaf on a plate.
2. Add a spoonful of steamed rice to the lettuce leaf.
3. Top with the Dak Galbi chicken.
4. Garnish with hot green chillies and chopped garlic.
5. Fold the lettuce leaf and enjoy!

History of Dakgalbi

Dakgalbi, meaning “chicken ribs” in Korean, has surprisingly humble beginnings. Unlike many traditional Korean dishes with long histories, dakgalbi is a relatively recent culinary invention. It originated in the 1960s, a time of economic hardship in South Korea.

It began as an affordable alternative to more expensive meat dishes. Chuncheon, a city in Gangwon province, is widely considered the birthplace of dakgalbi. Initially, it was a simple dish of diced chicken grilled over charcoal, often enjoyed with a side of soju.

As its popularity grew, the dish evolved. Gochujang, the fermented chili paste that gives dakgalbi its signature fiery kick, became a key ingredient. Vegetables like cabbage, sweet potatoes, and perilla leaves were also added, making it a more substantial and flavorful meal.

From its modest start as a budget-friendly meal, dakgalbi has transformed into a beloved Korean culinary icon, enjoyed both locally and internationally.

Nutritional Content and Benefits of Dakgalbi

Dakgalbi, with its mix of chicken, vegetables, and gochujang (Korean chili paste), offers a surprisingly balanced nutritional profile. Chicken provides protein, essential for building and repairing tissues. The vegetables, often including cabbage, onions, sweet potatoes, and carrots, contribute vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Gochujang, while adding heat, also brings antioxidants and potential digestive benefits.

One key benefit of dakgalbi is its high protein content, thanks to the chicken. This makes it a satisfying meal that can help with muscle growth and maintenance. The variety of vegetables adds to the nutritional value, offering a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium, among other nutrients.

While dakgalbi is generally healthy, it’s important to be mindful of the sodium content, which can be high due to the gochujang and other seasonings. Also, the dish is often cooked with some oil, so the overall calorie count can vary depending on the recipe.

Ultimately, enjoying dakgalbi as part of a balanced diet can provide a flavorful and nutritious meal option. The combination of protein, vegetables, and flavorful spices makes it a delicious and potentially beneficial addition to your culinary repertoire.

Tips for Choosing Quality Chicken

Selecting the right chicken is crucial for a delicious Dakgalbi. Look for chicken that is fresh and firm to the touch. The color should be a healthy pink, not pale or greyish.

Smell the chicken – fresh chicken should have a mild, neutral scent. Any off-putting or strong odors are a sign of spoilage.

Consider the cut of chicken you prefer. While boneless, skinless thighs are popular for Dakgalbi due to their flavor and tenderness, you can also use bone-in chicken or even breast meat if you prefer a leaner option. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Pay attention to the packaging. If purchasing pre-packaged chicken, ensure it’s well-sealed and within the use-by date. Look for any signs of leakage or damage to the packaging.

If possible, opt for high-quality chicken, such as free-range or organic. These options often result in a better overall flavor and texture in your finished dish.