Chicken Bulgogi (Low Sodium)

Name: Chicken bulgogi (low sodium)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced; 1 medium carrot, sliced thinly; 3/4 medium onion, sliced thinly; Optional: green onion; 3 tablespoons coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce; 1/2 Asian pear, chopped (170g); 1/4 medium onion; 3 garlic cloves; 1 tablespoon sesame oil

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This chicken bulgogi, flavored with a simple low sodium and no added sugar marinade, is an easy and healthy weeknight dinner for the whole family, including babies!

Bulgogi served 3 ways for parent, toddler, and baby.

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Chicken Bulgogi (Dak Bulgogi) Sauce
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Tips for Success
Pan Frying Bulgogi
Serving Suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Recipes to try
Chicken bulgogi (low sodium)

Chicken Bulgogi (Dak Bulgogi) Sauce

"Bul" means fire and "gogi" means meat in Korean. And while it's traditionally made with beef, you really can use any meat.

This dak (chicken) bulgogi is absolutely satisfying and, just like with my baby-friendly bulgogi, very simple to make.

The classic marinade includes soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, rice wine, and garlic. Pear or kiwi is often added to tenderize the meat.

I developed this recipe with babies and young toddlers in mind, so the marinade contains minimal sodium and no added sugar. I made every attempt to cut back on the sodium level without sacrificing the flavor too much.

And I believe you are going to love it!

Ingredients

Sliced chicken, carrots, and onion in a large bowl.

Chicken - It is best to use boneless chicken thighs but you can use breast or a mix of both.
Carrots and onion - vegetables are optional but highly recommended! Adds great flavor and texture, and it's a delicious way to incorporate more vegetables into your child's meals.
Pear - Acts as a tenderizer and helps sweeten the marinade. If you can get your hands on Asian pear, it works best. But you can use any variety that you have available .
Coconut aminos - made from coconut nectar and sea salt, it tastes sweeter and lighter than soy sauce. It also contains significantly less amount of sodium (this includes low-sodium soy sauce). It's soy and wheat-free, so if your baby is allergic, this will be a great alternative to soy sauce. But you can certainly use low-sodium soy sauce, if you'd rather.

You may also be interested in: Low-sodium Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Step-by-Step Instructions

A four image collage showing how to make bulgogi.

Add all the marinade ingredients into a food processor or blender.
Blend until smooth.
Pour over chicken, carrots, and onion. Massage chicken thoroughly, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Pan fry in a skillet or grill.

Tips for Success

Slice chicken thinly if planning to cook in a skillet. If grilling, cut into big strips so they don't fall through the grill grate.
Marinate for at least 30 minutes for thinly sliced chicken. For bigger pieces, marinate for at least 4 hours.

Pan Frying Bulgogi

A close up shot of cooked bulgogi in a skillet.

If you want the chicken to get slightly charred and caramelized, preheat the pan so it's nice and hot and don't overcrowd the pan. You will need to work in batches.

But if planning to enjoy with your baby, add all the chicken and vegetables to the pan and let them cook in their own juices. You will also end up with a delicious sauce that you can serve over rice.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy with some steamed rice (try this mixed grains rice or quinoa) and cooked vegetables, like broccoli or zucchini. And just like that you have an easy, well-balanced dinner for the whole family.

You can also use any leftovers as a filling for burritos or quesadillas the next day or a topping for pizza or salad.

For babies

Finely chopped chicken and vegetables served over lentils.

In a bowl, finely chop the chicken and vegetables using a kitchen shear. Serve over any cooked grain of choice or lentils like you see here for an additional boost of iron.

You may be interested in: Top iron-rich foods for babies

For toddlers

A small portion of bulgogi, white rice, and lettuce for toddler.

Introduce them to lettuce wraps! You can serve separate as pictured. Encourage them to make and try on their own by showing them through modeling. We like to play a game of who can take the bigger bite.

Is your toddler becoming picky?

Arm yourself with these strategies that will transform your mealtimes!

YES, PLEASE!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best chicken to use for chicken bulgogi?

It is best to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for flavor and texture. However, you can use chicken breast or a combination of both.

What is the best way to store leftover chicken bulgogi?

Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you want to double or triple the recipe to have extra for the future, transfer any marinated uncooked portion to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Other Recipes to try

Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!