Description
These Korean Chicken Tacos with Caramelized Kimchi are sweet, savory, spicy, and completely crave-worthy. Juicy ground chicken is coated in a bold Korean-inspired sauce, then topped with jammy caramelized kimchi, crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of sriracha mayo. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something exciting but easy.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic paste)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced (or ½ teaspoon ginger paste)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha (optional)
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil (for cooking)
For the Caramelized Kimchi
- 1 cup kimchi, chopped
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil
- 1–2 teaspoons brown sugar
- Splash of rice wine vinegar or white vinegar (optional)
For Assembly
- 8 small (6-inch) flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup crushed peanuts
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Sriracha mayo (store-bought or homemade)
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken:
Heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking it apart until fully cooked. - Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, peanut butter, sesame oil, sriracha (if using), and warm water until smooth. - Combine:
Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour sauce over the cooked chicken and stir until evenly coated. Simmer 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. - Caramelize the Kimchi:
In a separate skillet, heat 1 teaspoon avocado oil over medium heat. Add chopped kimchi and cook 5 minutes until moisture reduces. Stir in brown sugar and cook another 5 minutes until caramelized around the edges. Add a splash of vinegar if needed to deglaze the pan. - Warm the Tortillas:
Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel until soft and pliable. - Assemble:
Add chicken to each tortilla. Top with caramelized kimchi, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, avocado, cilantro, green onions, and crushed peanuts. Drizzle with sriracha mayo and finish with a squeeze of lime.
Serve immediately.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey for ground chicken if preferred.
- For a nut-free version, omit peanut butter or use sunflower seed butter.
- Adjust spice level by increasing or omitting sriracha.
- Store chicken and kimchi separately in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Warm leftovers before assembling fresh tacos.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean-Inspired / Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg