Jalapeno Chicken

Jalapeno Chicken is a delicious and easy dish that packs a punch of flavor. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick but tasty. The combination of juicy chicken, savory soy sauce, and spicy jalapenos creates a satisfying meal that your whole family will love. Plus, it’s served on a bed of fluffy rice, making it a complete dish that is both filling and comforting.

How to Make Jalapeno Chicken

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)

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Mix well and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken to the skillet. (You may need to cook in batches if your skillet is small.) Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the chicken is browned and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover it to keep warm.
4. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sliced jalapenos. Cook until they soften, about 4-6 minutes.
5. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet along with the soy sauce mixture. Stir everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Serve the Jalapeno Chicken garnished with sesame seeds over cooked white rice.

How to Serve Jalapeno Chicken

Serve Jalapeno Chicken hot, right from the skillet. Make sure to ladle it over a generous serving of warm white rice, as it helps soak up all the delicious sauce. You can also garnish with extra sliced jalapenos or green onions for added flavor and color.

How to Store Jalapeno Chicken

To store leftovers, let the Jalapeno Chicken cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until it is warmed through.

Tips to Make Jalapeno Chicken

• Adjust the heat: If you prefer less spice, you can remove the seeds from the jalapenos before adding them to the dish.
• Marinate the chicken: For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in the soy sauce mixture for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Use different vegetables: Feel free to add bell peppers, snap peas, or your favorite veggies to the mix.

Variation

For a different twist, you can substitute chicken with shrimp or tofu. Both options would work well with the same sauce and cooking method, adding unique flavors to the dish.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer. Just ensure they are cooked to the proper internal temperature.

2. What can I serve with Jalapeno Chicken?
Jalapeno Chicken pairs great with steamed or fried rice, and you can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.

3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time, then combine and cook them when you’re ready to eat. Just store the components separately until you’re ready to cook.

Jalapeno Chicken

A delicious and easy dish featuring juicy chicken, savory soy sauce, and spicy jalapenos, served over fluffy rice.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (fat removed, cut into 1-inch pieces)
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup water
• ⅓ cup 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)

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Mix well and set aside.

Cooking

1. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
2. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sliced jalapenos. Cook until they soften, about 4-6 minutes.
3. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet along with the soy sauce mixture. Stir everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Serve the Jalapeno Chicken garnished with sesame seeds over cooked white rice.

Notes

Adjust the heat by removing jalapeno seeds for less spice. Marinate chicken in soy sauce mixture for 30 minutes for extra flavor. You can add bell peppers, snap peas, or your favorite veggies. For variations, chicken can be substituted with shrimp or tofu.