Korean Grilled BBQ Chicken

By Jen Paleracio | July 6, 2022

Korean Grilled BBQ Chicken is easy and very flavorful. These grilled chicken drumsticks are the best choice when it comes to making dinner during busy weeknights. Marinated in Korean chili paste with fresh garlic and ginger. Sweet and tangy, also juicy and tender.

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how to build a nice Asian flavor

  • Korean Grilled BBQ Chicken is the easiest and most delicious chicken dish you’ll ever make. Garlic, ginger, and fresh or dried herbs are my basics for building good taste. Then, consider adding chili paste, good condiments like sesame oil, and mustard that add a nutty tanginess to your dish. Always think of balance. The addition of honey or brown sugar to your tomato sauce renders the perfect savory dish.
  • The longer you marinate your meat the more flavorful it gets. One way I marinate my chicken thighs or drumsticks is to cut slits all around and create an opening to soak in the flavor.
  • If you’re thinking of creating an Asian dish, consider adding grated or minced garlic and ginger. For the sauce, I always use soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, and rice vinegar. Then finish it with a little drizzle of sesame oil at the end of cooking. 
  • Here are some herbs and spices I use when making Asian dishes:
    • Cilantro
    • Dried chiles
    • Ground coriander
    • Lemongrass
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Ginger
    • Star Anise
    • Turmeric

ASIAN RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

Skillet Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Honey Garlic Chicken

Sweet and Sour Sesame Chicken

ingredients you need

ingredients
garlic and ginger

Normally Korean BBQ marinade or sauce includes Asian pear but with rising food costs I thought it would be wise to use apple sauce instead. I find that apple sauce also helps tenderize the meat and it tastes as wonderful as Asian pear.

Chicken drumsticks – you can also use chicken thighs. Buy meat with bones with grilling, it’ll give you the most flavor. 

Soy sauce – I used low-sodium soy sauce

Rice vinegar – The rice vinegar contrast the sweet flavor of the marinade 

Oyster sauce – There’s also a vegetarian oyster sauce made from mushrooms

Honey – A little honey gives an earthy sweet flavor

Brown sugar – I molasses flavor of brown sugar

Gochujang – This Korean chili paste is mild but it has a lot of umami flavor

Garlic – Grate one clove of garlic

Ginger – Grate an inch size of ginger or about a teaspoon 

Apple sauce – is a great alternative to apple pear

Sesame oil – Gives a nice finish to the dish

Chopped cilantro for garnish

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how to make Korean Grilled BBQ Chicken

chicken with slits
marinated chicken

MARINATE THE CHICKEN:

  1. Place the chicken in a bowl, and cut slits on all sides to infuse the flavor. 
  2. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, honey, brown sugar, Gochujang chili paste, garlic, ginger, apple sauce, and sesame oil. Toss to coat.
  3. Marinate the chicken for at least 1-2 hours or overnight. 

GRILL THE CHICKEN:

  1. Heat the grill pan with oil. Add the chicken, and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. 
  2. Remove the chicken from the grill, and rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro. 

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Korean Grilled BBQ Chicken

Jen Paleracio
Dinner in no time! Easy and delicious marinated chicken drumsticks.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 8 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Filipino, Korean

Equipment

  • Grill pan
  • Bowls
  • Tongs
  • Microplane

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds medium size chicken drumsticks, cut slits around
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup Gochujang
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • 1 inch size or 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 4 oz. apple sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons oil

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, add the chicken, soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, honey, brown sugar, Gochujang, garlic, ginger, apple sauce, and sesame oil.
  • Toss to coat well. Marinate the chicken for at least an hour. For the best result, marinate overnight.
  • Heat the grill pan with oil. Add the chicken, and cook for 8 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Serve with rice or mixed green salad. Or some potatoes.

Video

Notes

 
 
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Keyword chicken drumsticks, garlic, ginger, gochuchang chili paste, korean bbq

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Hi there! Nice to meet you. My name is Jen.

I’m a mom and a wife, and just like you, cooking is something I love to do! Let’s make something delicious but let’s not make ourselves run around like a chicken without a head. The recipes I share are inspired by my grandma’s cooking. She also thought me how to save time and money, and eat better with fresh ingredients. I grew up in a household where home-cooked meals are part of our day-to-day life. Cooking is not a chore but a way of living and connecting with each other. I created these recipes to help everyday cooking simple and flavorful…

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