Fiery Jalapeno Chicken Recipe: Spice Up Family Dinners

Spicy and succulent, this jalapeño chicken recipe delivers a fiery punch that will awaken your taste buds.

Tender chicken breasts meet the bold heat of jalapeños in a mouthwatering dance of flavors.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of warmth and zest that makes dinner exciting.

The marinade infuses the meat with incredible depth and complexity.

Jalapeños bring more than just heat – they add a vibrant, fresh dimension to the classic chicken dish.

Weeknight meals just got a delicious upgrade with this simple yet spectacular recipe.

You’ll want to keep this crowd-pleasing jalapeño chicken in your regular rotation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15min

Cook Time: 15min

Total Time: 30min

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients You’ll Need for Jalapeno Chicken

• Chicken: Pick fresh, boneless pieces for tender, juicy results; organic chicken provides richer flavor and better texture.
• Cornstarch: Creates crispy exterior and helps chicken absorb sauce; ensures even coating for perfect browning.

• Salt, Pepper: Enhance fundamental flavor profile; freshly ground black pepper adds more robust taste.
• Soy Sauce: Delivers umami depth and rich brown color; low-sodium options work well for controlled saltiness.
• Brown Sugar: Balances spiciness with subtle sweetness; adds beautiful caramelization to sauce.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces nutty, aromatic undertone; use pure, high-quality oil for authentic flavor.
• Garlic: Provides intense, sharp flavor base; fresh minced garlic offers more vibrant taste than pre-chopped.

• Onions, Jalapeno: Create dynamic heat and layered flavor complexity; choose firm, bright green jalapenos for maximum spiciness.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds delightful crunch and visual appeal; lightly toasting before garnishing intensifies nuttiness.

Tools for Cooking Jalapeno Chicken

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining and coating chicken with dry ingredients.
• Medium mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking together sauce ingredients.
• Large nonstick skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and sautéing vegetables.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, sugar, and other seasonings.
• Measuring cups: Ensures precise liquid measurements for the sauce.
• Tongs: Great for flipping and handling chicken in the hot skillet.
• Sharp knife: Needed for chopping onions and jalapenos.
• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping ingredients.
• Plate: Used for transferring and resting cooked chicken.

How to Make Jalapeno Chicken Easily

Spicy Jalapeno Chicken Adventure

• Chicken Preparation

Grab your chicken and give it a delightful coating of cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Make sure every piece gets some love and is ready for its flavor journey.

• Flavor Magic Sauce

Whip up a tantalizing sauce by mixing water, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. This liquid magic will transform your ordinary chicken into something extraordinary.

• Sizzling Chicken Dance

Heat up your skillet with a splash of oil. Gently place chicken pieces into the hot pan, letting them sear and turn a gorgeous golden brown. Cook until each piece is perfectly crispy and thoroughly done.

• Veggie Companions

Toss chopped onions and fiery jalapenos into the same skillet. Let them soften and release their bold, zesty personalities, creating a vibrant base for your dish.

• Flavor Fusion

Pour your prepared sauce over the chicken and veggies. Stir everything together, allowing the ingredients to mingle and create a mouthwatering symphony of tastes.

• Grand Finale

Sprinkle some sesame seeds on top and serve your spicy creation over fluffy white rice. Enjoy the explosion of flavors that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Tips to Customize Jalapeno Chicken Flavor

• Adjust the number of jalapenos to control spiciness. Remove seeds for less heat or add extra peppers for a fiery kick.
• Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or beef for a delicious alternative that follows the same cooking method.
• Marinate chicken in the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to intensify flavor and tenderize the meat.
• Double the recipe and store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days, reheating quickly for easy weeknight meals.
• Toss in additional vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas to create a more nutritious and colorful dish.

Plating & Serving Jalapeno Chicken

• Spicy Rice Bowl Delight: Create a colorful rice bowl by layering fluffy white rice, topped with the jalapeno chicken, and adding fresh sliced green onions for extra crunch and brightness.
• Loaded Lettuce Wraps: Serve the spicy chicken inside crisp lettuce leaves for a low-carb option, allowing guests to build their own fresh and zesty wraps with the tender meat.
• Asian-Inspired Taco Night: Transform the jalapeno chicken into a fusion-style taco filling, using soft tortillas, adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and serving with a quick pickled vegetable slaw on the side.
• Summer Picnic Platter: Arrange the chicken on a large platter with colorful vegetable sticks, dipping sauces, and a light cucumber salad for a crowd-pleasing outdoor meal that captures bold, fresh flavors.

How to Store Jalapeno Chicken After Cooking

• Batch Cooking Magic: Whip up a double batch of this spicy chicken and store extra portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals that save time and energy.
• Refrigerator Freshness: Carefully store leftover jalapeno chicken in sealed containers for up to 3-4 days, keeping the flavors vibrant and ready for your next meal reheat.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Pack individual servings in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently warm to maintain the chicken's tender texture.
• Smart Ingredient Prep: Chop extra jalapenos and onions during initial cooking, storing them separately to streamline future meal preparation and reduce kitchen time.

Fiery Jalapeno Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 30min
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Spicy jalapeño chicken delivers bold Mexican-inspired flavors through tender meat infused with zesty peppers and aromatic spices. Succulent chicken paired with fresh herbs promises a delicious meal that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 g) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, fat removed, cut into 1-inch pieces
• ⅓ cup (67 g) light brown sugar, packed
• ⅓ cup (85 ml/85 g) soy sauce
• ⅓ cup (83 ml/83 g) water
• 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 2 large jalapeno peppers, sliced into thin rounds
• ¼ cup (32 g) cornstarch
• 2 tsp garlic, minced
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• Sesame seeds, for garnish
• Cooked white rice

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Instructions

1. Marinate Chicken: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper, ensuring uniform coverage for enhanced flavor and texture.
2. Prepare Sauce: Whisk water, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic into a harmonious blend, creating a robust flavor foundation.
3. Sear Chicken: Activate a nonstick skillet at medium-high heat, adding a thin oil layer. Introduce chicken pieces, allowing each side to caramelize into a rich golden-brown crust without overcrowding the pan.
4. Cook Vegetables: After achieving perfect chicken doneness at 165°F, transfer meat to a holding plate. Utilize the same skillet to sauté onions and jalapeños until they become translucent, releasing their vibrant aromatics.
5. Combine and Finish: Reunite chicken with sautéed vegetables, cascading the prepared sauce over the ingredients. Gently stir to distribute flavors, simmering for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings seductively to the chicken.
6. Serve: Elegantly plate the spicy chicken atop fluffy white rice, concluding with a delicate sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for textural contrast and visual allure.

Notes

• Marinade Magic: Coat chicken evenly with cornstarch to create a light, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and enhances flavor absorption.
• Sauce Sensation: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to blend flavors and prevent sugar from settling, ensuring a smooth, well-integrated sauce coating.
• Cooking Technique: Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust on chicken pieces without steaming.
• Spice Management: Adjust jalapeño quantity based on heat tolerance, removing seeds for milder flavor or keeping them for an extra spicy kick.

• Prep Time: 15min
• Cook Time: 15min
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg