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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper, ensuring uniform coverage for enhanced flavor and texture.
- Prepare Sauce: Whisk water, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic into a harmonious blend, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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