Cheese Spicy Korean Chicken (Buldak)

Cheese Spicy Korean Chicken (Buldak) is a medium Korean recipe that serves 4. 825 calories per serving. Recipe by Maangchi on YouTube.

Prep: 17 min | Cook: 28 min | Total: 55 min

Cost: $21.87 total, $5.47 per serving

Ingredients

  • 0.5 cup Korean Red Pepper Flakes (adjust to desired spice level)
  • 2 tablespoon Korean Chili Paste (smooth, fermented gochujang)
  • 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce (regular soy sauce)
  • 2 tablespoon Cooking Oil (neutral oil such as vegetable or canola)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper (freshly ground)
  • 0.33 cup Rice Syrup (adds sweetness and shine; can substitute honey or maple syrup)
  • 6 clove Garlic (large cloves, minced)
  • 2 teaspoon Fresh Ginger (grated)
  • 2 stalk Green Onion (chopped for garnish)
  • 1 pound Mozzarella Cheese (shredded; optional but recommended)
  • 2 pound Chicken Breast (trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes)
  • 0.25 cup Water (for simmering)
  • 1 cup Korean Rice Cake (Tteok) (optional, sliced into bite‑size pieces)

Instructions

  1. Make the Spicy Paste

    In a mixing bowl combine the Korean red pepper flakes, Korean chili paste, soy sauce, cooking oil, ground black pepper, rice syrup, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir until a thick, uniform paste forms.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Prep the Chicken

    Trim any fat from the chicken breasts and cut the meat into roughly 1‑inch cubes.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Coat the Chicken

    Add the chicken cubes to the spicy paste and toss until every piece is fully coated.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Add Optional Rice Cake

    If using, stir the sliced Korean rice cake (tteok) into the chicken‑paste mixture.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Preheat the Broiler

    Set the oven to the broiler setting (high) and let it preheat while you start cooking the chicken.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Broiler (high)

  6. Cook the Chicken on the Stovetop

    Heat the cast‑iron skillet over medium‑high heat. Add the chicken‑paste mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the chicken is mostly cooked through and the sauce has thickened.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: Medium‑high heat

  7. Simmer with Water

    Reduce the heat to low, pour in 1/4 cup water, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for another 10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: Low heat

  8. Add Mozzarella and Broil

    Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the chicken. Transfer the skillet to the preheated broiler and cook for 2‑3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: Broiler (high)

  9. Garnish and Serve

    Remove the skillet from the oven, sprinkle chopped green onion over the top, and serve immediately.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
825
Protein
68g
Carbohydrates
30g
Fat
30g
Fiber
2g

Dietary info: Contains dairy, Contains soy, Contains gluten, High protein, Not vegetarian

Allergens: Milk, Soy, Gluten

Last updated: March 11, 2026

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Cheese Spicy Korean Chicken (Buldak)

Recipe by Maangchi

A fiery yet creamy Korean-style spicy chicken baked with mozzarella cheese. The dish combines gochugaru, gochujang, rice syrup, garlic, and ginger for a deep umami heat, then finishes under the broiler for a golden, bubbly cheese crust. Serves 4.

MediumKoreanServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
14m
Prep
33m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
57m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$21.87
Total cost
$5.47
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Mix the spicy paste until fully smooth.
  • Coat the chicken thoroughly and let it rest briefly.
  • Cook the chicken until mostly done before adding cheese.
  • Broil just until the cheese is bubbly and golden; do not over‑cook.

Safety Warnings

  • Handle raw chicken with clean hands and sanitize all surfaces after use.
  • Hot oil can splatter; use a splatter guard or keep the pan partially covered.
  • The broiler is extremely hot; use oven mitts and keep a clear area around the oven.

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