Delicious and full of vegetables, this chicken bibimbap is a feast for the eyes and the palette. And it’s ready in the time it takes to cook the rice!

chicken bibimbap in bowl with rice and vegetables

A classic Korean dish, Bibimbap literally means “mixed rice”. It can take many forms, but always starts with hot rice on the bottom, with a variety of fresh and cooked vegetables on top, meat (most often beef or pork, but sometimes chicken or tofu) and of course, a dollop of Korean Gochujang or Gochujang sauce. To eat, you simply mix the rice with the vegetables and spicy sauce. (It’s not nearly so pretty after you mix it together, so I didn’t photograph that part :)

About this Chicken Bibimbap

I love Bibimbap because it’s all at once easy, delicious, filling, spicy and vegetable-rich. My version features quickly stir fried red and orange pepper and bok choy. Alongside, is fresh green onion and shredded fresh carrot, marinated in a bit of sesame oil. As for the meat, I went with chicken, starting with always moist boneless, skinless chicken thighs, that are cut in to bite-sized pieces and quickly stir fried with sesame oil and soy sauce. Garnish with a generous sprinkling of sesame seeds and a dollop of spicy Gochujang, Doenjang (fermented soybean paste) or if you prefer, simple soy sauce.

Preparation is as simple as starting some rice cooking and heating a wok or frying pan. Prepare the fresh vegetables, then quickly saute the vegetables that will be cooked, one at a time, and remove to a plate. Finally, cook the chicken. When the rice is ready, fill a bowl with rice, arrange the vegetables in sections around the outside, then top with the warm chicken. Garnish and serve.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Gochujang – If you aren’t yet familiar, it’s spicy chili pepper paste, more intense than sriracha (so use less) but the flavour is more complex. It’s great with eggs, to stir in to sauces that you want to spice-up, stir fries or as part of a marinade, cooking sauce for meat. Gochujang itself is quite a thick paste. You can make an easy Gochujang sauce that is thinned, sweetened and flavoured, that works really well as a condiment. I’ve included a quick and easy Gochujang sauce recipe in the bibimbap recipe below.

Many large grocery stores with well stocked International sections now carry Gochujang, but if you can’t find it there, look in local Korean markets or online. A large container keeps a long time in the fridge and since you only use a bit at a time (a little goes a long way!), you won’t need to replace it too often.

Chicken – I’ve used boneless, skinless chicken thighs here, as they are hard to beat for flavour and they are never dry. That said, you could easily substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts here.

Recipe Tips

Some fresh vegetable options for your bibimbap: julienned or sliced cucumber, carrots, green onion. Salt and marinate in a bit of sesame oil.

Some cooked vegetable options for your bibimbap: zucchini slices, mushrooms, sliced onions, spinach, soybean sprouts, bell peppers, any greens like kale etc. Quickly sauté in hot wok or frying pan with oil until tender-crisp or a splash or water until wilted.

Although not authentic, if you are so inclined, you could replace the rice with cauliflower rice or cooked grains.

Fast and Easy Sesame Chicken Bibimbap

chicken bibimbap in bowl with rice and vegetables

Get the Recipe: Fast and Easy Chicken Bibimbap

Delicious and full of vegetables, this chicken bibimbap is a feast for the eyes and the palette. And it’s ready in the time it takes to cook the rice!
5 stars from 4 ratings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 2 serving

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked rice , white, brown or basmati
  • 1 Green onion, sliced diagonally into 3/4-inch diagonal slices
  • 1 cup carrot, grated
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 5-6 baby bok choy, root end trimmed and quartered
  • 1 red bell pepper, , cut into 2-inch long, thin slices
  • 4 skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bit sized pieces
  • 1 Tablespoon cooking oil
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium recommended
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Pinch sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbsp. water
  • 1-2 teaspoon Gochujang for topping , or use the Gochujang sauce, below
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds, plus more for garnish
  • Additional sesame oil and/or soy sauce, for drizzling

Gochujang sauce:

  • 2 Tablespoons Gochujang
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon white granulated sugar, or brown sugar or honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 - 1 1/2 Tablespoons warm water, for thinning sauce to desired consistency

Instructions
 

  • Start rice cooking, adding water as directed on package.
  • In a small bowl, stir together grated carrot and sesame oil. Prepare rest of the vegetables and keep in separate piles or bowls. Set aside. Cut chicken and set aside.
  • Heat oil in wok or frying pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Add bell pepper slices and cook, stirring, until tender-crisp. Remove to a separate pile on a large plate. Add a tablespoon of water to the hot wok. Add bok choy and allow to steam for 30 seconds or so, then stir until just wilted. Remove to a separate pile on the plate with the bell peppers.
  • Add a bit more cooking oil to the wok. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until cooked through. Add soy sauce, sesame oil and a pinch of sugar. Cook, stirring, for another 45 seconds or so. Stir the cornstarch mixture, then add to the pan. Continue cooking, stirring, until sauce is glossy and thickened. Remove from heat, leaving chicken in wok.
  • When rice is cooked, divide between two deep bowls. Top with sections of bell pepper, green onion, shredded carrot and bok choy. Divide the warm chicken between the two bowls, piling it in the centre. Top with a dollop of Gochujang Sauce (or just a dollop of Gochujang). Garnish with sesame seeds. *Alternately, you can serve sauce or Gochujang on the side, or substitute with soy sauce or soybean paste.
  • To eat, mix the toppings with the rice.

Notes

Be sure to read the notes above this Recipe Card, for more tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!
Cuisine: Asian
Course: Main Course
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 356kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @seasonsandsuppers on Instagram or tag #seasonsandsuppers.