Gochujang Chicken Alfredo Recipe

The Ultimate Gochujang Chicken Alfredo Recipe: Spicy Fusion Magic

Gochujang chicken alfredo merges two culinary worlds with unexpected harmony.

Creamy pasta meets fiery Korean chili paste in a dance of international flavors that challenges traditional recipe boundaries.

Spicy undertones weave through silky sauce, redefineing an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

This fusion dish breaks conventional cooking rules while respecting each ingredient’s inherent character.

Complex yet approachable, the recipe welcomes adventurous home cooks seeking something beyond standard comfort food.

Simple techniques and bold ingredients combine to create a memorable meal that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Why Gochujang Chicken Alfredo Is Bold and Creamy

  • Fusion Flavor Explosion: Gochujang Chicken Alfredo brilliantly merges Korean and Italian cuisines, creating a spicy-creamy blend that dances on your taste buds with unexpected and exciting flavor combinations.
  • Quick Weeknight Wonder: This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a gourmet-style meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Creamy Texture Magic: The combination of egg yolks, cream, and Parmesan creates an ultra-smooth, luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to the fettuccine, delivering a rich and satisfying mouthfeel in every single bite.
  • Protein-Packed Comfort: Loaded with chicken and cheese, this dish provides a substantial 31 grams of protein, transforming a classic pasta recipe into a filling and nutritionally balanced meal that keeps you satisfied for hours.

Gochujang Chicken Alfredo Ingredients You Need

Pasta Base:
  • Fettuccine: Classic long, flat pasta perfect for creamy sauces with a smooth texture.
Protein:
  • Chicken: Lean protein that adds substance and absorbs the rich, spicy flavors of the dish.
Aromatic Vegetables:
  • Scallions, Garlic: Provide sharp, pungent undertones that enhance the overall depth of flavor.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Gochujang: Korean red chili paste that brings a complex, spicy-sweet heat to the sauce.
  • Soy Sauce: Adds umami and salty depth to balance the creamy sauce.
  • Honey: Provides subtle sweetness to counteract the spiciness of gochujang.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a rich, velvety texture for the Alfredo base.
  • Egg Yolks: Help to thicken and enrich the sauce with a luxurious consistency.
Cheese and Finishing:
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty notes and helps to thicken the sauce with its natural texture.
Cooking Essentials:
  • Olive Oil: Provides a base for sautéing and adds a subtle fruity undertone.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances all the flavors in the dish.

How to Make Spicy and Creamy Gochujang Alfredo

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Water

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous amount of salt. Bring the water to a vigorous boil.

Step 2: Cook Fettuccine

Add fettuccine to boiling water and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until it reaches al dente texture.

Step 3: Sear Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and brown for 5 to 6 minutes.

Step 4: Aromatic Sauté

Add the following ingredients to the skillet:
  • Sliced scallions (save some for garnish)
  • Minced garlic

Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 5: Prepare Spicy Sauce

In a bowl, mix together:
  • Gochujang
  • Soy sauce
  • Honey

Whisk until well combined.

Step 6: Create Cream Base

In a separate bowl, whisk cream and egg yolks until smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 7: Pasta Preparation

Drain cooked pasta, reserving of starchy cooking water.

Step 8: Combine Flavors

Warm the gochujang mixture in the skillet. Slowly stir in cream mixture and grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens.

Step 9: Final Mixing

Toss drained pasta into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired consistency.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Top the dish with:
  • Remaining sliced scallions
  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese

Serve immediately while hot.

Pro Tips for Perfect Gochujang Alfredo Sauce

  • Select High-Quality Gochujang: Choose authentic Korean gochujang with deep, complex spicy-sweet flavor for maximum taste impact.
  • Temper Egg Yolks Carefully: Slowly incorporate hot sauce into egg mixture to prevent scrambling, creating silky smooth Alfredo sauce.
  • Control Pasta Water Wisely: Reserve starchy cooking water to adjust sauce consistency, ensuring perfect creamy texture without separation.
  • Season Chicken Generously: Use a blend of salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder to enhance chicken's flavor before browning.
  • Balance Spice Levels: Adjust gochujang quantity based on personal heat tolerance, starting with less and gradually increasing for ideal taste profile.

Smart Ways to Store and Reheat Gochujang Alfredo

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover Gochujang Chicken Alfredo in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the pasta will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, maintaining its delicious flavor and texture.
  • Reheating on Stovetop: Revive your creamy pasta by gently warming it in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce's silky consistency, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
  • Microwave Method: When you're in a hurry, reheat individual portions in the microwave. Cover the dish with a damp paper towel to keep the pasta moist, and zap in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop heating once the chicken and pasta are steaming hot throughout.

Sidekicks That Go Well with Gochujang Alfredo

  • Craft Korean-Spicy Wine Pairing: Grab a crisp Riesling or off-dry Gewürztraminer to balance the gochujang's spicy kick and creamy alfredo's richness.
  • Select Complementary Side Salad: Prepare a light cucumber and radish salad with rice vinegar dressing to cut through the dish's heaviness and provide refreshing contrast.
  • Enhance with Crunchy Accompaniment: Serve toasted sesame seed bread or crispy garlic crostini on the side to add textural variety and soak up the delicious sauce.
  • Match with Cooling Beverage: Pour a cold Asian-style lager like Sapporo or Tsingtao to neutralize the spice and cleanse the palate between bites.

Fun Variations on Gochujang Chicken Alfredo

  • Korean Fusion Seafood Alfredo: Replace chicken with succulent shrimp or tender scallops, adding a delicate oceanic flavor profile to the classic gochujang sauce.
  • Vegetarian Korean Pasta: Swap chicken for roasted mushrooms or crispy tofu cubes, maintaining the rich, spicy gochujang cream sauce while creating a plant-based alternative.
  • Spicy Protein Power Bowl: Transform the recipe into a grain-based bowl using quinoa or brown rice instead of pasta, topped with grilled chicken and drizzled with the gochujang cream sauce.
  • Gochujang Alfredo Mac and Cheese: Substitute fettuccine with elbow macaroni, creating a creamy, spicy mac and cheese version that combines Korean and Italian comfort food elements.
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Gochujang Chicken Alfredo Recipe

Gochujang Chicken Alfredo Recipe


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4.5 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Spicy Korean-Italian fusion reigns supreme with Gochujang Chicken Alfredo, blending creamy pasta and fiery chili paste into one irresistible dish. Rich parmesan and tender chicken mingle with gochujang’s deep heat, creating a culinary adventure you won’t forget.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 ounces (57 grams) Parmesan cheese (about 1 firmly packed cup grated), plus more for serving

Pasta and Sauce Base:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) dried fettuccine pasta
  • 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 3 medium scallions

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters) gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water

Instructions

  1. Prepare a spacious pot with ample salted water, bringing it to a vigorous boil for fettuccine cooking.
  2. Submerge fettuccine into boiling water, cooking for 8 to 10 minutes until perfectly tender yet firm.
  3. Meanwhile, heat olive oil (30 milliliters or ) in a generously sized skillet over medium-high temperature.
  4. Carefully arrange seasoned chicken pieces into the hot skillet, allowing them to develop a golden-brown exterior for 5 to 6 minutes.
  5. Introduce thinly sliced scallions and finely minced garlic into the skillet, sautéing until their aromatic essence permeates the air, roughly 1 minute.
  6. Create a flavor-packed sauce by whisking gochujang, soy sauce, and honey in a separate mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
  7. In another vessel, delicately blend heavy cream and egg yolks, ensuring a smooth, uniform mixture.
  8. Carefully drain the cooked pasta, preserving half a cup (120 milliliters) of starchy cooking liquid for potential sauce adjustment.
  9. Activate the gochujang mixture in the skillet, gradually incorporating the cream blend and freshly grated Parmesan cheese while maintaining a gentle simmer.
  10. Fold the drained pasta into the luxurious sauce, incorporating reserved pasta water if necessary to achieve the ideal creamy consistency.
  11. Elegantly finish the dish by scattering remaining scallions and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese across the surface before serving immediately.

Notes

  • Gochujang transforms this classic Alfredo into a spicy, Korean-inspired fusion masterpiece bursting with unexpected flavor combinations.
  • Starchy pasta water acts as a secret weapon, helping create silky smooth sauce texture without breaking or separating.
  • Whisking egg yolks carefully prevents curdling and ensures a luxuriously creamy sauce that coats every pasta strand perfectly.
  • Letting chicken brown undisturbed develops deep caramelized edges, creating complex flavor profiles that elevate the entire dish.
  • Fresh scallions provide bright, sharp contrast against rich, creamy sauce, adding essential freshness and visual appeal to the final presentation.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Fusion

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 735 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 623 mg
  • Fat: 44 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 65 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 31 g
  • Cholesterol: 220 mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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