Description
Craving bold flavors and ultimate comfort in one dish? This Jjimdak (Korean Braised Chicken) is everything you need in a single pot — tender chicken braised in a sweet, savory, and mildly spicy soy-based sauce, with melt-in-your-mouth potatoes, chewy noodles, and aromatic garlic-ginger goodness. Perfect as a quick dinner idea, a cozy weekend meal, or an introduction to Korean food culture. This easy recipe is packed with flavor, family-friendly, and reheats beautifully. Whether you’re into Asian food ideas, want an easy dinner recipe, or need a new cozy fall meal, Jjimdak checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
900g bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 large carrot, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1⁄2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon mirin or rice wine
1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 cups water or chicken broth
2 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
120g Korean glass noodles, soaked (optional)
150g Korean rice cakes, soaked (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare all your vegetables: peel and chop the potatoes, slice carrots, and chop the onion. Mince garlic and ginger. Soak noodles and rice cakes in warm water if using.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a splash of oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces until browned on all sides.
3. Add onion, garlic, and ginger to the pot. Stir and cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
4. Pour in the soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, gochugaru, and water or broth. Stir to combine.
5. Add potatoes and carrots to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes.
6. Add soaked noodles or rice cakes during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
7. Drizzle in sesame oil, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
8. Serve hot, topped with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
This dish gets better the next day — leftovers are a must.
For a less spicy version, reduce or skip the gochugaru.
Only add sesame oil at the end to preserve its nutty aroma.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: jjimdak, Korean braised chicken, easy dinner, comfort food, spicy chicken recipe, Asian chicken, chicken stew