Gochujang Chicken Sauté

1. Prep

Begin by preparing your ingredients to ensure a smooth cooking process. Cut the chicken thighs into even bite-size pieces—this allows for quick and even cooking. Thinly slice both the garlic and ginger, as they'll be used to infuse the oil with flavor. Scallions should be chopped into 1-inch pieces, providing a nice textural element. Measure out your corn, gochujang, soy sauce, and mirin, so they're ready to add to the pan when needed. Finely chop the cilantro which will be used as a fresh, herby garnish.

2. Sear Chicken

Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Allow them to sear undisturbed for about 2-3 minutes or until they develop a golden-brown crust. Flip the pieces and sear on the other side. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

3. Sweat Aromatics

In the same pan, lower the heat to medium and add the sliced garlic and ginger. Stir frequently, and cook just until they release their aroma and turn a light golden color, about 1-2 minutes. Avoid browning the garlic too much as it can become bitter.

4. Cook Vegetables

Toss in the scallions and corn to the skillet with the aromatics. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are just tender and the scallions are fragrant. This step enhances the sweetness of the corn and melds the flavors together.

5. Deglaze

Stir in the gochujang, soy sauce, and mirin. Cook for a minute to allow the gochujang to caramelize slightly, deepening its flavor. Add a splash of water if needed to loosen up the sauce and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—those bits are packed with flavor!

6. Finishing Ingredients

Return the seared chicken to the pan, stirring to coat with the sauce and vegetables. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. The final dish should look glossy and the sauce should cling to the chicken and vegetables. Toss in the cilantro and adjust the seasoning as needed with salt and pepper.