Description
Korean-inspired gochujang chicken fettuccine brings fiery spice and creamy comfort to pasta lovers. Rich chili pepper sauce mingles with tender chicken and silky noodles, creating a bold fusion dish that satisfies cravings for global flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (454 grams)
Pasta and Fresh Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried fettuccine pasta (454 grams)
- 3 medium scallions
- 5 cloves garlic
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ cup gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (57 grams)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add generous salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Carefully slice scallions, reserving for final garnish. Mince garlic finely. Cut chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch (2.54 centimeters) cubes.
- Create sauce bases by whisking gochujang, soy sauce, and honey in one bowl. In a separate container, blend heavy cream with egg yolks until smooth. Grate Parmesan cheese, ensuring one firmly packed cup (approximately 100 grams).
- Submerge fettuccine into boiling water, cooking for 8 to 10 minutes until perfectly al dente. Periodically stir to prevent pasta from sticking together.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sear meat without disturbing, allowing golden-brown crust to develop, approximately 5-6 minutes. Introduce chopped scallions and garlic, sautéing until aromatic.
- Carefully drain pasta, reserving starchy cooking liquid. Temporarily remove skillet from heat. Reignite burner to medium-high, pour gochujang mixture, and simmer until slightly thickened. Incorporate cream and Parmesan, stirring continuously until sauce transforms into a glossy, pink consistency.
- Delicately fold pasta into prepared sauce, incrementally adding reserved liquid to achieve desired creamy texture. Elegantly garnish with reserved scallion snippets and additional Parmesan cheese shavings.
Notes
- Spice Level Customization: Adjust the gochujang quantity to control the heat intensity, making this dish adaptable for different spice tolerances.
- Protein Flexibility: Chicken thighs provide rich flavor, but you can easily substitute with chicken breasts or even shrimp for variety.
- Sauce Consistency Tip: Reserved pasta water is crucial for creating a smooth, silky sauce that perfectly coats the fettuccine.
- Cheese Selection: Freshly grated Parmesan delivers superior flavor compared to pre-packaged alternatives, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Cooking Technique: Searing chicken undisturbed allows for a beautiful golden-brown exterior, ensuring maximum flavor development.
- Quick Meal Potential: From start to finish, this recipe can be prepared in approximately 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Korean-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 820 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 54 g
- Saturated Fat: 30 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 285 mg