Ganjang Chicken
Tender pan-fried chicken glazed in a salty-sweet soy reduction with sesame and garlic. Ready in 25 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinner over rice.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 410
- Protein
- 38g
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 stalks scallions, sliced
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels by pressing gently all over the surface, then discard the towels. This helps it brown evenly.
- 2
Mince the garlic until the pieces are smaller than a grain of rice—about the size of pencil-tip dots.
- 3
Slice the scallions by cutting diagonally across the stalks into 1/4-inch-wide pieces, then set aside in a small bowl.
- 4
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and slides quickly when you tilt the pan, about 90 seconds.
- 5
Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the skillet and cook without moving them for 4 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown.
- 6
Flip each thigh over using tongs and cook for another 4 minutes until the second side is golden brown.
- 7
Pour the soy sauce into the skillet around the chicken, then sprinkle the sugar and minced garlic over the top.
- 8
Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 8 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken every 2 minutes, until the liquid thickens and coats the chicken like honey.
- 9
Drizzle the sesame oil over the chicken and sauce, stirring gently to coat everything evenly.
- 10
Divide the chicken between two plates, then spoon the sauce from the skillet over each portion.
- 11
Scatter the sliced scallions on top of each plate as a garnish.
Tools you’ll need
- 12-inch skillet or large cast iron pan
- paper towels
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- small bowl
- tongs
- spoon
- two dinner plates
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