Description
Korean-inspired gochujang chicken burgers sing with spicy, smoky flavors that dance between traditional and modern cuisine. Crispy bacon jam and bold gochujang sauce elevate this burger, inviting you to savor a delicious culinary adventure from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground chicken
Burger Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil, for cooking
Kimchi Bacon Jam:
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- ½ cup chopped kimchi
- 1 small shallot or onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
Burger Toppings:
- Toasted burger buns
- Mayo, spicy mayo, or gochujang aioli
- Lettuce or cabbage slaw
- Sliced pickles or cucumbers (optional)
Instructions
- Craft the kimchi bacon jam by sizzling chopped bacon in a skillet until golden and crisp, retaining a small amount of rendered fat. Sauté finely minced shallots until translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate diced kimchi, rich brown sugar, tangy rice vinegar, umami-packed soy sauce, and optional red pepper flakes into the skillet. Allow the mixture to gently simmer and reduce, developing a thick, glossy consistency that melds complex flavors.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, blend ground chicken with fiery gochujang, robust soy sauce, nutty sesame oil, aromatic garlic powder, pungent onion powder, and a balanced seasoning of salt and pepper.
- Gently shape the seasoned chicken mixture into uniform patties, ensuring even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Warm a skillet or grill pan with a light coating of oil over medium heat. Carefully place chicken patties and cook until they develop a beautiful caramelized exterior and reach a safe internal temperature.
- Toast soft burger buns until they acquire a delicate golden crispness around the edges.
- Spread a luxurious layer of mayonnaise or gochujang aioli across the bun surfaces, creating a creamy foundation.
- Layer the juicy chicken patties onto the prepared buns, generously crown with the rich kimchi bacon jam, and add crisp lettuce or refreshing slaw.
- Garnish with pickled cucumbers or crisp pickle slices for an extra burst of tangy brightness. Serve immediately while the burger remains warm and inviting.
Notes
- Adjust the heat level by controlling the amount of gochujang and red pepper flakes for a personalized spice experience.
- Use ground chicken with a slightly higher fat content to ensure juicy, tender burger patties that won’t dry out during cooking.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting soy sauce with tamari and using gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps.
- Maximize flavor by letting the chicken mixture rest for 15-20 minutes before forming patties, allowing the seasonings to fully penetrate the meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg