Name: Jalapeno Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, (fat removed, cut into 1-inch pieces); ¼ cup (32 g) cornstarch; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; ⅓ cup (85 g) soy sauce; ⅓ cup (83 g) water; ⅓ cup (67 g) light brown sugar, (packed); 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 2 teaspoons garlic, (minced); ½ yellow onion, (diced); 2 large jalapeno peppers, (sliced into thin rounds); sesame seeds, (for garnish); cooked white rice, (for serving)

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If you love bold, zesty flavors that come together with minimal fuss, Jalapeno Chicken is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner. This dish brings juicy chicken thighs together with the gentle heat of jalapenos, a crave-worthy sticky soy sauce, and a touch of sweetness. Every bite delivers a punch of savory, sweet, and spicy goodness — the kind of combination that has everyone going back for seconds. Plus, with simple prep and easy-to-find ingredients, Jalapeno Chicken is the perfect recipe to spice up your dinner routine without a lot of extra work.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Jalapeno Chicken is deliciously straightforward, relying on pantry staples and fresh produce to create unbeatable taste and beautiful color. Each ingredient pulls its weight, from crisping the chicken to building the glossy, irresistible sauce.

Chicken Thighs: Juicy, tender, and full of flavor, chicken thighs are perfect for soaking up the rich sauce.
Cornstarch: This helps create a light, crisp crust on your chicken pieces, while also thickening the sauce for that glossy finish.
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the other bold flavors.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Gives the chicken a gorgeous sear and adds depth to the base of the dish.
Soy Sauce: Brings salty umami and a deep, savory backbone to the sauce.
Water: Helps thin and blend the sauce so every bite is perfectly coated.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds a delicate sweetness that balances the kick from the jalapenos and the saltiness of the soy.
Sesame Oil: Just a touch infuses nutty, toasty notes that make the sauce more aromatic.
Garlic: Bold, fragrant, and essential for a savory base flavor.
Yellow Onion: Softens and sweetens as it cooks, adding even more flavor complexity.
Jalapeno Peppers: The star of the show — sliced into rings, they add fresh heat and a pop of color.
Sesame Seeds: For garnish, these tiny seeds add crunch and a pretty finishing touch.
Cooked White Rice: Classic, fluffy rice is perfect for soaking up every bit of that glorious sauce.

How to Make Jalapeno Chicken

Step 1: Toss the Chicken

Start by combining your bite-sized chicken thigh pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Toss everything until the chicken is well coated — you want every surface to have a light dusting, which will give you that crisp bite once cooked.

Step 2: Whisk Up the Sauce

In a separate bowl, mix together the soy sauce, water, light brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. This mixture is the heart of Jalapeno Chicken’s flavor, balancing salty, sweet, and aromatic notes so the final dish is never flat or one-dimensional.

Step 3: Brown the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add your chicken pieces in batches (if needed, to avoid crowding). Sear them for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through to a safe 165°F. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and loosely tent it so it stays juicy.

Step 4: Soften the Onions and Jalapenos

In the same pan, add diced onions and sliced jalapeno peppers. Keep things moving so nothing sticks, and cook until the onions turn soft and translucent, and the jalapenos mellow just enough (this takes about 4-6 minutes). This step deepens the flavor of the entire dish.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Add the cooked chicken back into the pan, followed by your prepared soy sauce mixture. Stir everything together and let it bubble for 2-3 minutes so the sauce thickens and clings to each piece of chicken. The end result should be glossy, aromatic, and wildly tempting.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Spoon the hot Jalapeno Chicken over fluffy white rice and finish with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds. That pop of nutty crunch is the perfect contrast to the saucy chicken. Get ready for your kitchen to smell absolutely incredible.

How to Serve Jalapeno Chicken

Garnishes

Don’t skip the final touches! Sesame seeds add a nutty bite and a little crunch, while a few extra fresh jalapeno slices on top give your plate a restaurant-worthy look and an extra punch of heat. You can also add chopped scallions or a squeeze of lime juice for color and freshness.

Side Dishes

Jalapeno Chicken loves company! Keep things classic with jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the sauce. Stir-fried greens such as bok choy, broccoli, or snap peas round out the meal nicely, or try a light cucumber salad to cool things down if you went heavy on the peppers.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve Jalapeno Chicken in lettuce cups for a handheld appetizer, or layer it in a grain bowl with quinoa, shredded cabbage, and pickled onions. This dish is also terrific in a taco for an unexpected fusion of flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any extra Jalapeno Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 4 days, making it perfect for speedy lunches and dinners.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze Jalapeno Chicken! Cool it completely first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months — just know the jalapenos might soften a bit after thawing, but the flavor remains delicious.

Reheating

To reheat, place leftovers in a skillet over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until hot. If the sauce has thickened, add a tablespoon or two of water to loosen things up. You can also reheat in the microwave, but stovetop is best for keeping the chicken’s texture.

FAQs

How spicy is Jalapeno Chicken?

It has a pleasant, approachable kick thanks to the jalapenos, but the heat is balanced by the sweet and savory sauce. If you prefer things milder, simply remove the seeds from the peppers or use fewer slices.

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Absolutely. Chicken breast will be a bit leaner and slightly less juicy, but with careful cooking and that fabulous sauce, it works wonderfully in Jalapeno Chicken.

Is there a gluten-free version?

Yes! Just use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce and double-check your cornstarch. The rest of the recipe stays the same, so everyone can enjoy it.

What’s the best way to slice jalapenos?

For even heat, slice the jalapenos into thin rounds with the seeds in. If you want less heat, take a moment to remove the seeds and white membranes before slicing. Always wash your hands well after handling peppers!

Can I add more vegetables?

Certainly. Jalapeno Chicken is fantastic with bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms added during the onion step. Just be sure to keep the ratios balanced so the jalapeno flavor still shines through.

Final Thoughts

I have a feeling that once you make Jalapeno Chicken, it’ll find a permanent spot in your regular meal rotation. This dish is fast, full of life, and endlessly adaptable. Don’t be surprised if your friends and family start asking for it by name — so get that skillet hot, slice those jalapenos, and treat yourself to a dinner that truly delivers!

Jalapeno Chicken Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 19 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Spice up your dinner with this flavorful and easy-to-make Jalapeno Chicken recipe. Tender chicken pieces coated in a savory sauce with a hint of heat from jalapeno peppers, served over fluffy white rice.

Instructions

Toss chicken with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly on all sides. Set aside.
Combine water, soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. In a medium mixing bowl, combine water, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. Mix well and set aside.
Cook chicken in hot oil. Transfer to a plate. To a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add oil. When the oil is shimmering, carefully add chicken to the hot oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer the chicken to a plate, and tent to keep warm.
Cook onions and jalapeno peppers. To the same skillet, add onions and jalapeno. Cook until softened (about 4-6 minutes).
Add chicken and soy sauce. Add the chicken and the soy sauce mixture to the pan and stir to combine. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.
Serve garnished with sesame seeds over rice. Serve garnished with sesame seeds over cooked white rice.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian