Description
Get ready to impress your taste buds with this Korean Chicken Bao—a fusion masterpiece combining soft, fluffy steamed buns with sweet, spicy gochujang-glazed chicken. Ideal for those looking for quick dinner ideas, easy recipes, or unique Asian food inspiration, these bao buns strike a perfect balance of comfort and flair. The chewy bao and sticky chicken, topped with crunchy onions and sesame, create a flavor-packed bite that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re planning an easy dinner or brainstorming new snack food ideas, this recipe is a game-changer.
Ingredients
For the Bao Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
For the Korean Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs or breast, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons gochujang
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
For Toppings:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Red onions, thinly sliced (optional)
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Pickled cucumbers or fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: Combine flour, sugar, yeast, baking powder, and salt. Mix wet ingredients and slowly combine. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1–1.5 hours.
- Prepare Chicken Marinade: Mix gochujang, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Coat chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Shape the Bao: Punch down dough, divide into 8. Roll into ovals, brush with oil, and fold in half. Place on parchment squares and let rest 15 minutes.
- Steam the Bao: Steam buns for 10 minutes over boiling water. Do not open lid during steaming.
- Cook Chicken: In a skillet, heat oil and cook chicken 4–6 minutes per side. Simmer leftover marinade until thickened.
- Assemble: Fill each bao with chicken, top with green onions, sesame seeds, and optional extras.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes