Description
Korean-inspired gochujang chicken burgers harness bold flavors from spicy sauce and crispy bacon jam. Balanced heat and umami create a memorable sandwich that satisfies cravings for complex Korean-American fusion cuisine you’ll devour with enthusiasm.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) ground chicken
- 2 tbsps gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp oil, for cooking
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- ½ cup chopped kimchi
- 1 small shallot or onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Toasted burger buns
- Mayonnaise, spicy mayonnaise, or gochujang aioli
- Lettuce or cabbage slaw
- Sliced pickles or cucumbers (optional)
Instructions
- Bacon Jam Preparation: Crisp chopped bacon in a skillet until golden, reserving some rendered fat. Sauté minced shallots until translucent and aromatic.
- Flavor Development: Combine diced kimchi, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes in the skillet. Simmer until the mixture reduces to a thick, glossy consistency that blends complex flavors.
- Chicken Patty Seasoning: Mix ground chicken with gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until thoroughly incorporated.
- Patty Formation and Cooking: Shape seasoned chicken into uniform patties and cook in a lightly oiled skillet or grill pan over medium heat until caramelized and fully cooked through.
- Bun Preparation: Toast burger buns until edges turn golden and crisp. Spread mayonnaise or gochujang aioli across bun surfaces.
- Assembly and Garnish: Layer cooked chicken patties on prepared buns, top generously with kimchi bacon jam, and add crisp lettuce or slaw. Finish with pickled cucumbers or pickle slices for a tangy brightness. Serve immediately while burger remains warm and inviting.
Notes
- Manage Moisture Carefully: Ground chicken can dry out quickly, so avoid overworking the meat when forming patties to keep them tender and juicy.
- Balance Spice Levels: Adjust gochujang quantity based on heat tolerance; start with less and gradually increase for personalized flavor intensity.
- Perfect Patty Technique: Create a slight dimple in the center of each patty to prevent bulging and ensure even cooking with a flat surface.
- Smart Fat Management: Use a mix of ground chicken thigh and breast meat for enhanced moisture and richer flavor profile, preventing potential dryness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg