Description
Korean Chicken Tacos with Caramelized Kimchi combine the bold, spicy flavors of Korean cuisine with the fun and portability of tacos. These tacos feature tender, marinated chicken, sweet-and-spicy caramelized kimchi, and a tangy slaw, all wrapped in soft tortillas for a delicious fusion meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the chicken marinade:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- For the caramelized kimchi:
- 1 cup chopped kimchi
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- For the tacos:
- 6 small flour or corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cabbage or slaw mix
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, gochujang, honey, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- While the chicken marinates, prepare the slaw by mixing cabbage, mayonnaise, and lime juice in a small bowl. Chill until ready to use.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add sesame oil and chopped kimchi. Stir in sugar and cook for 5–7 minutes until the kimchi is caramelized and browned. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and slightly caramelized. Remove from heat.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
- Assemble the tacos by adding chicken, slaw, and caramelized kimchi to each tortilla. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra spice, drizzle with sriracha or additional gochujang sauce before serving.
- Kimchi can vary in spice and sourness—adjust sugar to balance the flavors when caramelizing.
- Swap chicken for tofu for a vegetarian version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Korean tacos, chicken tacos, kimchi tacos, fusion food, Korean street food, gochujang recipes, spicy tacos