Jalapeño Chicken is a bold, savory, and slightly spicy dish that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal. With tender chicken thighs, crisp onions, and fresh jalapeño peppers simmered in a sweet and salty sauce, this recipe delivers big flavor in just 30 minutes. It’s quick, satisfying, and perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Jalapeño Chicken
This dish offers the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. The chicken becomes crispy on the outside while staying juicy inside. The jalapeños add a fresh kick that pairs beautifully with the rich soy-based sauce. Each bite delivers savory depth, making it a guaranteed family favorite. Plus, it cooks fast and uses pantry-friendly ingredients.
Ingredients That Bring the Heat
The combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame oil creates a flavorful sauce that coats every piece of chicken. Fresh jalapeños provide vibrant heat, while the onions add natural sweetness. When combined with lightly pan-fried chicken thighs, the result is an irresistible dish full of texture and bold taste.
How to Make Jalapeño Chicken
Start by tossing the chicken with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Mix the sauce ingredients separately. Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through. Sauté the onions and jalapeños until soft. Add the chicken back to the skillet with the sauce. Stir and simmer until the flavors blend and the sauce thickens slightly. Serve hot over white rice for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
Spoon the jalapeño chicken over fluffy white rice to soak up the delicious sauce. Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a pretty finish and nutty flavor. You can also pair it with steamed vegetables or noodles for variety. This dish reheats well, making it great for meal prep.
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Spicy Jalapeño Chicken: A Fast, Flavor-Packed Weeknight Dinner
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Jalapeno Chicken features tender, pan-fried chicken thighs tossed with onions and jalapeno peppers in a sweet, salty, and slightly spicy sauce.
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 yellow onion, diced
2 large jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Cooked white rice, for serving
Instructions
1. Combine chicken, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Mix soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic in a separate bowl.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
5. Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm.
6. Add onions and jalapenos to the skillet and cook for 4-6 minutes until softened.
7. Return chicken to the skillet and pour the soy sauce mixture over it.
8. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
9. Serve over white rice and garnish with sesame seeds.
Notes
For air fryer chicken, cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Use caution when handling jalapenos to avoid irritation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 384
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: jalapeno chicken, spicy chicken recipe, skillet chicken