Korean Gochujang Chicken Thighs with Pickled Pear Salad Recipe

This dish draws its inspiration from the bustling streets of Seoul, where the spicy heat of gochujang is a staple of Korean cuisine. Paired with a refreshing pickled pear salad, this dish offers an exciting play of flavors and textures, evoking memories of Korea's vibrant food markets.

Ingredients:

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

• 3 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons sesame oil

• Salt to taste

For the Pickled Pear Salad:

• 2 Asian pears, thinly sliced

• 1/2 cup rice vinegar

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• A handful of arugula leaves

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Preparation:

1. In a bowl, mix the gochujang, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, sesame oil, and salt. Coat the chicken thighs in this mixture, ensuring they're well covered. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight.

2. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Bake the chicken thighs until they're cooked through and the skin is crispy. This should take around 35-40 minutes.

4. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the pickled pear salad. In a bowl, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Add the thinly sliced Asian pears and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.

5. Drain the pears, reserving some of the pickling liquid. Toss the pears with the arugula leaves and sesame seeds. Drizzle a little of the reserved pickling liquid over the salad just before serving.

6. Serve the gochujang chicken thighs hot, with the pickled pear salad on the side.

Cooking Time & Servings: Prep time is around 15 minutes (plus marinating time), and cooking time is 35-40 minutes. This recipe serves 3-4 people.

Drink Pairing: A cold Korean beer like Hite or a Soju cocktail would complement the spiciness of the chicken. For a non-alcoholic option, a cool barley tea would be refreshing.

Chef's Tips:

1. Marinating the chicken overnight will help the flavors to penetrate more deeply.

2. You can adjust the level of heat in the dish by using more or less gochujang.

3. Asian pears have a crisp texture that stands up well to pickling, but if they aren't available, you can use another type of crisp pear.