Cheesy Buldak Rice
Cheesy Buldak Rice is a bold and comforting Korean-inspired dish featuring tender marinated chicken thighs cooked in a spicy gochujang sauce, combined with steamed rice and topped with melted gooey cheese. This one-pot meal balances heat, creaminess, and hearty satisfaction, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or indulgent treats. Customize the spice level and ingredients to suit your taste, making it a versatile and flavorful comfort food.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups cooked rice (slightly sticky is preferred)
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance heat)
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheese blend)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and marinate them briefly with gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, and a pinch of sugar to infuse flavor. Allow to rest for at least 15 minutes to maximize flavor absorption.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the marinated chicken until fully cooked and slightly caramelized, locking in the spicy goodness and preventing the sauce from burning.
- Combine with rice: Add the cooked rice to the skillet, stirring well to coat each grain with the flavorful sauce, allowing it to absorb the spice and savoriness for a cohesive dish.
- Add the cheese: Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the chicken and rice mixture. Cover the skillet briefly to let the cheese melt into a gooey, even layer.
- Garnish and serve: Top with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds to add fresh flavor and a slight crunch. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- Use high-quality gochujang as it is central to the flavor of the dish.
- Marinate chicken for at least 15 minutes for better taste.
- Cook over medium heat to allow caramelization without burning the sauce.
- Cover the pan when melting cheese for even, gooey results.
- Slightly sticky rice works best to blend well with sauce and cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Cheesy Buldak Rice, Korean spicy chicken, comfort food, gochujang chicken, cheesy rice, spicy Korean recipe