Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Korean BBQ Chicken Skillet?
It is a flavorful dish featuring marinated chicken breast strips, sautรฉed mushrooms, and spicy green chilies cooked in a savory Korean-inspired sauce.
What cut of chicken is best for this recipe?
Boned free-range chicken breasts are recommended for this skillet dish.
How should the chicken be prepared before marinating?
The chicken should be sliced diagonally into wide 1/8-inch thick strips and gently pounded with a meat pounder to ensure tenderness.
What ingredients are in the Korean BBQ marinade?
The marinade consists of Japanese dark soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, spring onions, sesame seeds, black pepper, sesame oil, and dry sherry or sake.
How long should the chicken marinate?
The chicken should marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for a deeper flavor profile.
What type of soy sauce is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls specifically for Japanese dark soy sauce.
Can I substitute the dry sherry?
Yes, the recipe suggests using sake as an alternative to dry sherry.
How should the garlic and ginger be prepared?
The garlic should be peeled and crushed, and the ginger should be peeled and grated.
What type of sesame seeds should I use?
Use roasted sesame seeds that have been lightly crushed to release their flavor.
What is the recommended cooking method for the chicken?
The chicken is pan-grilled in a wide non-stick frying pan over high heat.
How do I prevent the chicken from steaming instead of browning?
Ensure the oil is shimmering hot and cook the chicken in a single layer without overcrowding the pan.
How long does it take to cook the chicken strips?
The chicken slices cook quickly, taking only about 1 to 2 minutes per side.
What should I do with the extra marinade?
Reserve the leftover marinade to cook with the mushrooms and chilies later in the process.
Which vegetables are added to the skillet?
The dish includes thickly sliced large mushrooms and fresh hot green chili peppers.
How are the green chili peppers prepared?
They should be deseeded and cut into 1/2 inch segments.
Is this Korean BBQ Chicken Skillet spicy?
Yes, it has a spicy kick from the fresh hot green chili peppers and ground black pepper.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
Serve it immediately with a side of steaming rice or stir-fried noodles.
How do I keep the chicken warm while sautรฉing the vegetables?
Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and cover it with aluminum foil while you finish the dish.
What kind of oil should I use for frying?
The recipe recommends using vegetable oil for the high-heat frying process.
How should the spring onions be sliced?
The spring onions should be cut into thin rounds for the marinade.
What is the purpose of pounding the chicken?
Pounding the chicken makes the slices thinner and more tender for a faster, more even cook.
How long do the mushrooms need to cook?
Sautรฉ the mushrooms with the reserved marinade for about 1 minute until they soften.
Can this recipe be used for meal prep?
Yes, the chicken can be marinated in advance, making it a quick and easy dinner option.
What is the flavor profile of the sauce?
The sauce is savory and aromatic, featuring the nuttiness of sesame oil and the zing of fresh ginger and garlic.
Do I need to crush the sesame seeds?
Yes, lightly crushing the roasted sesame seeds helps to enhance their aroma in the dish.
Can I add more vegetables to the skillet?
While the recipe specifies mushrooms and chilies, you can easily adapt it by adding other stir-fry vegetables.
Is the chicken breast the only protein I can use?
While the recipe calls for chicken breasts, the same marinade and method would work well with chicken thighs.
What type of pan is best for this recipe?
A wide non-stick frying pan is recommended for even browning and easy cleanup.
How much chicken does the recipe require?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of boned free-range chicken breasts.
What makes this dish 'Korean-style'?
The use of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and roasted sesame seeds creates the classic flavor profile associated with Korean BBQ.