Description
Zesty “Spicy Jalapeño Chicken” brings Mexican-inspired flavors dancing across your palate with bold, fiery seasonings. Succulent chicken marinated in tangy spices promises a quick, delicious dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound (500 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Seasonings:
- 3 fresh jalapenos, sliced (seeds removed for less heat)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Sauces and Liquids:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
- 2 tablespoons sriracha or your favorite hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Rub chicken pieces thoroughly with salt and black pepper, ensuring even seasoning across all surfaces.
- Position a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle with cooking oil. Carefully place chicken into the hot pan, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust while cooking completely through, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping warm and preserving the flavorful pan drippings.
- Without cleaning the skillet, introduce minced garlic and thinly sliced jalapeno peppers, sautéing until their aromatic essence permeates the kitchen.
- Pour soy sauce, honey, and vinegar directly into the skillet, whisking energetically to create a harmonious, glossy sauce.
- Gently reintroduce the cooked chicken into the skillet, rotating pieces to ensure comprehensive sauce coverage.
- For a more luxurious texture, dissolve cornstarch in water and swirl into the bubbling mixture, watching the sauce transform and thicken.
- Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to reach desired consistency.
- Conclude by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and delicately chopped green onions over the dish, adding visual appeal and fresh complexity.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by removing jalapeno seeds for milder heat or adding extra for more kick.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results that stay tender during cooking.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to ensure smooth, quick cooking and prevent burning sensitive ingredients like garlic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg