If you’re craving a meal that’s vibrant, packed with flavor, and healthy all in one bowl, then chicken bibimbap is the dish you need in your life. This classic Korean rice bowl is a beautiful combination of seasoned chicken, sautéed vegetables, a fried egg, and spicy-sweet gochujang sauce — all served over warm rice.
Not only is chicken bibimbap a feast for the eyes, but it’s also filling, nutritious, and surprisingly easy to make at home. Whether you’re new to Korean food or just looking for a new dinner idea, this recipe will walk you through everything step by step.
🌾 What Is Chicken Bibimbap?
“Bibimbap” in Korean means “mixed rice.” It’s a dish where rice is topped with an assortment of vegetables, meat (in this case, chicken), an egg, and gochujang (a spicy red chili paste). Before eating, everything is mixed together in the bowl — which creates an explosion of flavors in every bite.
When chicken is added, it becomes chicken bibimbap, a high-protein, comforting version that still keeps all the traditional flavors.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- 250g boneless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar or honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Rice:
- 1 cup white rice or brown rice
- 2 cups water
For the Vegetables (customizable):
- 1 carrot, julienned
- ½ zucchini, thinly sliced
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ cup bean sprouts
- 3-4 mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cucumber, sliced thin
Other Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Cooking oil (for frying)
👨🍳 How to Make Chicken Bibimbap – Step by Step
Step 1: Cook the Rice
- Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a pot, add rice and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
- Cut the chicken into small bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar or honey, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken to this marinade. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. (Longer is better!)
Read:- How to Cook Vegan Bibimbap – A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables
Cook each vegetable separately to keep flavors clean and textures perfect:
- Spinach: Blanch in hot water for 30 seconds. Drain and toss with a little sesame oil and salt.
- Carrots & Zucchini: Stir-fry in a bit of oil for 2–3 minutes each. Lightly season.
- Mushrooms: Sauté for about 3–4 minutes until golden.
- Bean Sprouts: Boil for 1–2 minutes. Drain and add a pinch of salt.
- Cucumber: Use raw for a fresh crunch, or lightly sauté if preferred.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
- Heat a pan over medium heat.
- Add a tablespoon of oil and cook the marinated chicken until golden brown and cooked through (about 6–7 minutes).
- Stir occasionally so it doesn’t stick.
Step 5: Fry the Egg
- In a small pan, fry an egg sunny-side up. Keep the yolk runny if you like it creamy.
- You can also make it scrambled or fully cooked, based on your preference.
Step 6: Assemble Your Chicken Bibimbap Bowl
Now it’s time to bring it all together:
- Add a layer of warm rice at the bottom of a wide bowl.
- Arrange each vegetable in its own section on top of the rice.
- Add the cooked chicken.
- Place the fried egg gently in the center.
- Spoon 1 tbsp of gochujang on top (more or less depending on your spice level).
- Drizzle a bit of sesame oil and sprinkle sesame seeds (optional).
Step 7: Mix and Enjoy!
Before eating, take your spoon and mix everything together thoroughly — rice, veggies, chicken, egg, and sauce — until it’s a big colorful mess of flavor!
An easy step-by-step guide to making chicken bibimbap – the colorful Korean rice bowl topped with seasoned chicken, sautéed vegetables, egg, and spicy gochujang sauce. Healthy, vibrant, and delicious!
