Description
Spicy Gochujang Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, spicy and tangy Korean gochujang sauce, and fresh, crunchy vegetables. Ready in under 30 minutes, this nutritious and easy-to-make salad offers a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, umami, and freshness. Ideal for a quick lunch or light dinner, this salad can be served warm or chilled, making it versatile year-round.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, boneless and skinless
Dressing
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey (optional, to balance heat)
Vegetables
- 3 cups fresh mixed greens (lettuce, spinach, or arugula)
- 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and julienned
- 2 green onions, chopped
Garnishes
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Optional: 2 tbsp toasted nuts or seeds (such as almonds or pumpkin seeds)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season chicken breasts or thighs lightly with salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken until fully cooked and golden brown on both sides, about 6-8 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from heat and let rest before slicing thinly or chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix the gochujang dressing: In a bowl, whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and honey until smooth and well combined. Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste.
- Prepare the vegetables: Wash and dry mixed greens thoroughly. Peel and julienne the carrot, slice the cucumber thinly, and chop the green onions. Combine all vegetables in a large salad bowl.
- Assemble the salad: Add sliced chicken on top of the mixed greens and vegetables. Drizzle the gochujang dressing generously over the salad and toss gently to combine so every bite carries the spicy, tangy flavor.
- Finish with garnishes: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and optional toasted nuts or seeds over the salad. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken briefly in some of the dressing beforehand for more intense flavor.
- Use the freshest vegetables possible for maximum crunch and contrast to the rich dressing.
- Taste the dressing as you mix to perfectly balance sweetness, acidity, and heat.
- Don’t omit sesame oil—it adds essential nutty aroma and depth.
- Serve fresh and promptly to keep vegetables crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Spicy, Gochujang, Chicken Salad, Korean, Quick, Healthy, Gluten-Free, Easy, Lunch, Dinner
