• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Humbly Homemade
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Seasonal
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Summer Baking
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Seasonal
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Summer Baking
×
Home » Recipes » Chicken

Spicy Korean Chicken Tacos

Published: Jun 5, 2023 · Updated: Sep 30, 2024 by Carissa Erzen · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

Jump to Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
5 from 2 votes

Korean flavors from spicy gochujang and fresh kimchi take these spicy Korean chicken tacos to a whole new level for your next taco party! The chicken is baked in a Dutch oven or casserole dish so it becomes super tender in about half an hour. So let's get cooking!

a long wooden dish filled with four Spicy Shredded Chicken Tacos

Personally, I can't resist homemade warm corn tortillas as the perfect taco shell. Paired with a few flavors from my Korean heritage including gochujang and my Granma's recipe for 3 ingredient kimchi, these Mexican-Korean fusion tacos are a home run!

And I'll be the first to admit that I'm obsessed with tacos. They are like little packets of joy. What's not to love? Taco recipes are incredibly versatile, so you can match your taste preferences to your perfect taco.

For more easy tacos and wraps, try my zucchini fritter tacos, Thai chicken tacos with peanut sauce, my Grandma's Korean beef bulgogi lettuce wraps, and easy baked chicken fajita tacos.

hands reaching in to make chicken tacos

What is Gochujang?

We've been eating gochujang at our house as long as I can remember. I grew up having long chats with my grandma while dipping freshly sliced cucumbers into gochujang.

Gochujang is a spicy dark red paste made from red chili peppers, fermented soybeans, rice, and salt. It's thick and the spiciness is balanced by the rich umami flavor.

Gochujang is dynamic and the more you use, the more flavor you taste. But more gochujang also adds more spice, so if you're not a big spicy-fan, I'd stick with 2 to 3 tablespoons in your marinade.

Hungry for more recipes featuring gochujang? Try creamy gochujang pasta and spicy bulgogi chicken.

a hand picking up a chicken taco

Ingredients

Gochujang Chicken

  • Gochujang - adds a wonderful spicy flavor; adjust the quantity depending on how spicy you prefer your chicken
  • Soy sauce - Or substitute Bragg liquid aminos
  • Olive oil - you can use any cooking oil including coconut oil or vegetable oil
  • Ginger - fresh minced ginger adds a bright, ginger flavor; you can substitute ginger powder if you don't have fresh ginger
  • Garlic - fresh minced garlic adds a kick of garlic flavor; you can substitute garlic powder if you don't have fresh garlic
  • Chicken - use boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs for the easiest preparation; and be sure to follow food safety best practices for chicken.

Taco Fillings

  • White rice - jasmine rice works best for these tacos, since it's fluffy yet sticks together
  • Salt
  • Corn tortilla shells - use store-bought or homemade tortillas
  • Kimchi - use spicy or mild kimchi, depending on your preference; cabbage or radish kimchi are my favorites for these tacos
two hands shredding chicken with forks

Let's Make Spicy Korean Chicken Tacos Together!

  1. Make the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the gochujang, soy sauce, extra virgin olive oil, minced ginger and minced garlic.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken and mix until the chicken is fully coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight.
  3. Bake the chicken: Arrange the marinated chicken in an even layer in a large Dutch oven or casserole dish with a lid. Place in a cold oven and turn on the heat to 450°F. Bake covered with a lid or aluminum foil for 20 minutes. Remove the lid or foil then bake uncovered for another 15 minutes.
  4. Cook the rice: While the chicken is cooking, rinse the rice then cook it with the ¼ teaspoon salt either on the stove or in a rice cooker.
  5. Shred the chicken: Once the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F, remove it from the oven and shred it using two metal forks.
  6. Assemble the tacos: Assemble each taco with a little white rice, spicy shredded chicken, and kimchi on a corn tortilla shell. Top with black sesame seeds, lime juice, green onions, extra gochujang, or whatever toppings you prefer.
three kimchi tacos on a wooden platter

Tips for Preparing Shredded Chicken

What is the Best Way to Shred Chicken for Tacos?

There are many gadgets and gizmos online and in the stores to shred meat. But it's so easy to shred chicken with someone you probably already have in your kitchen!

Personally, I prefer two metal forks out of the silverware drawer. Just stab both forks into a big piece of chicken, then pull them apart to shred the cooked meat.

Is it Easier to Shred Chicken When Hot or Cold?

It's easier to shred tender, warm chicken than it is to shred tough, cold chicken. I recommend to shred chicken right after it's done cooking. This will also make sure it's still warm when you serve it. Win-win!

How Long is Shredded Chicken Good for in the Fridge?

Now if you happen to have leftovers, it's best to store the chicken separately from the other ingredients in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.

My favorite leftover containers are made of glass with lids that lock and provide a tight seal. I feel like glass keeps food tasting fresh longer. And the locking lids prevent any juices from spilling out.

a platter filled with spicy shredded chicken tacos next to a jar of kimchi

What to Serve with Korean Chicken Tacos

  • Kimchi
  • Cilantro lime rice
  • Roasted corn salsa
  • Corn mango salsa
  • Sour cream
  • Cilantro or green onions

More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes

  • Korean Spicy Chicken Bulgogi
  • Chicken fajita in a tray bake with half an avocado next to it.
    How Long Can Chicken Stay Out?
  • Thai Chicken Tacos with Peanut Sauce
  • BEST Gluten Free Chicken Casserole

Spicy Korean Chicken Tacos

Carissa Erzen
Korean flavors from spicy gochujang and fresh kimchi take these spicy Korean chicken tacos to a whole new level for your next taco party!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved Recipe!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Marination 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Korean, Mexican
Servings 12 tacos
Calories 286 kcal

Ingredients
  

Gochujang Chicken

  • 3 tablespoon gochujang
  • 3 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 4 minced garlic cloves
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs

Taco Fillings

  • 2 cups uncooked white rice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 1 cup kimchi

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the gochujang, soy sauce, olive oil, minced ginger and minced garlic.
    Add the chicken and mix until the chicken is fully coated in the marinade.
    Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic cling wrap and refrigerate for one hour.
  • Arrange the marinated chicken in an even layer in a large Dutch oven or casserole dish with a lid. Place in a cold oven and turn on the heat to 450°F. Bake covered with a lid or aluminum foil for 20 minutes.
    Remove the lid or foil then bake uncovered for another 15 minutes.
  • While the chicken is cooking, rinse the rice then cook it with the ¼ teaspoon salt either on the stove or in a rice cooker.
  • Once the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F, remove it from the oven and shred it using two metal forks.
  • Assemble each taco with a little white rice, spicy shredded chicken, and kimchi on a corn tortilla. Top with black sesame seeds, lime juice, green onions, extra gochujang, or whatever you like.
    Enjoy!!

Notes

  • Add more gochujang to the marinade if you prefer more spice. 
  • Store cooled shredded chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1tacoCalories: 286kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 20gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 409mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 40IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg
Keyword easy shredded chicken, gochujang chicken recipe, kimchi tacos, Korean chicken tacos, spicy shredded chicken tacos
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @humbly-homemade on social!

More Easy Chicken Recipes

  • chicken fajita tray bake
    Easy Baked Chicken Fajita Tacos
  • Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
  • Cooking Vintage Recipes from the 1980's
  • One-Pot Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing

About Carissa Erzen

Growing up in Germany, I fell head-over-heels in love with ALL the German baked goods, from Lebkuchen to pretzels. Now I'm the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer behind Humbly Homemade, where I test and share German sweets lovingly created from scratch. So pull up a chair, and stay a while!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lina

    August 02, 2024 at 9:59 am

    5 stars
    My family loved this!

    Reply
    • Carissa Erzen

      August 21, 2024 at 11:26 am

      Yay! I'm so glad!

      Reply
  2. Yum-number1

    June 15, 2022 at 10:19 am

    This would be really good for a get-together or a dinner party. YUMMM!!

    Reply
    • Humbly Homemade

      June 22, 2022 at 11:29 pm

      Yes! Super easy to lay out all the ingredients in dishes and let everyone serve themselves! 🌮

      Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

I'm eggcited to hear from you :) Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

A girl in a pink apron sitting on a kitchen counter.

Hello, I'm Carissa!

I'm the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer behind Humbly Homemade. Inspired by my childhood growing up in Germany, I share recipes of delicious German bakes from scratch.

Learn More

Stay Connected

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok

Sign Up + Never Miss a New Recipe!

Summer Baking

  • A purple cake topped with fresh lemon slices and dried lavender flowers.
    Moist Lemon Lavender Cake with Lemon Drizzle

  • Easy Lavender Lemon Shortbread Cookie Bars

  • Easy Streusel Plum Yogurt Cake (without oil)

  • Peach Strudel with Fresh Peaches & Phyllo Dough

Trending Recipes

  • Easy Black Forest Chocolate Brownies from Scratch

  • Old Fashioned German Poppy Seed Cake | Mohnkuchen

  • A dozen chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies piled on a plate.
    Peanut Butter Shortbread Cookies with Brown Butter

  • A hand holding a cookie packed with rolled oats over a plate of more cookies.
    4-Ingredient Oat Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

Footer

Let's Get Baking!

No baking experience? No problem! I've spent the past five years developing fool-proof recipes that anyone can create.

About

  • About
  • Work with Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Shop

Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Cookies
  • Cake
  • Bread
  • Dessert
  • Breakfast

Connect

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok

Copyright © 2025 Humbly Homemade. All rights reserved.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Rate This Recipe!

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe - it was absolutely delish!!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.