Fusion · main

Crispy Gochujang-Honey Chicken Thighs

Crispy Gochujang-Honey Chicken Thighs reads umami 7.9, richness 6.6 and sweetness 5.4 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Fusion main, about 37 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.

The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10

The measured notes (of 18)

Umami 7.9 · Richness 6.6 · Sweetness 5.4 · Salinity 5.1 · Nutty 4.7 · Floral 4.0 · Allium 3.7 · Funk & Ferment 3.2 · Sourness 3.2 · Heat 3.1 · Warm Spice 2.4 · Herbaceous 1.9 · Bitterness 1.4 · Earthy 0.9

What's in it (13)

Time & effort: about 37 min (32 min active) · effort: involved

Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 153.8 kcal, 21.5 g protein, 5 g fat, 6.1 g carbs

Dietary: Contains meat — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.

How it's cooked (8 steps)

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season all over with the salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat; add the thighs skin-side down and sear undisturbed until deeply golden and crisp, 7-8 minutes.
  3. Flip the thighs skin-side up, transfer the skillet to a 425 F oven, and roast until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 F at the thickest part, 15-18 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, whisk together the gochujang, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil in a small saucepan.
  5. Bring the glaze to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often, until slightly thickened and glossy, 3-4 minutes, then remove from the heat.
  6. Remove the chicken from the oven and turn the broiler to high. Brush the glaze generously over the skin side of each thigh.
  7. Broil until the glaze is bubbling and lightly caramelized at the edges, 2-3 minutes, watching closely so the sugars don't scorch.
  8. Let the chicken rest 5 minutes, then scatter the scallions and sesame seeds over the top before serving.

Dishes with a similar flavor shape

Keep reading: what umami, richness, sweetness mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.

See how this dish fits your palate — take the short taste test →

Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.