Jalapeno Chicken Recipe
This Jalapeno Chicken Recipe packs bold flavor with tender chicken and a smoky, spicy kick that will surely be a hit with the family.
The heat of jalapeños pairs perfectly with the juicy chicken, creating a dish full of taste. It’s easy to make and works for family meals or BBQ gatherings. Add this recipe to your menu for a fun, flavorful twist on classic chicken. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or hosting dinner for friends, this recipe is sure to impress.
Table of contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold, Flavorful Kick: The jalapeños pack just the right amount of heat, perfectly balanced with the savory marinade.
- Simple Ingredients: No need for exotic items—you’ll likely find most of the ingredients already in your kitchen.
- Quick to Prepare: With just 15 minutes of prep time, you’ll have dinner on the table in no time.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve it as a main course with roasted veggies, as a sandwich filling, or chopped up in salads or tacos.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: With easy storage options, this recipe makes leftovers just as enjoyable as the first bite.
🛒Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Chicken tenderloins
- Cornstarch
- Oil for frying
- Brown sugar
- Onion
- Jalapenos
- Sesame oil
- Soy sauce
- Vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Ketchup
See the recipe card below for quantities.
🔪 How to Make Jalapeno Chicken Recipe
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the chicken tenderloins with the cornstarch.
2. Heat up the oil in a large skillet and brown the chicken quickly in the pan. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In another skillet or the same one cleaned out, add the sesame oil, onion, and jalapenos. Saute these over medium heat until they start to become tender and slightly browned.
- To the pan, add the soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and ketchup. Whisk the sauce together. Add the chicken to the sauce.
🥄 Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- large skillets
🥫 Storage
Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for 2–3 days. Keep any dry and wet toppings, such as lettuce or sauces, in separate containers.
Freezing: This one’s a no-go—jalapeños can become watery when thawed, affecting the overall texture and flavor of the chicken.
Reheat: Warm it up in a skillet or oven at a low temperature to preserve the juiciness.
Serve With
- Warm, buttery Loaded Cornbread Casserole.
- Roasted Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potatoes is perfect for a side dish.
- Pico de gallo and guacamole for a fresh, zesty pairing.
- A crisp garden salad drizzled with lime vinaigrette or this Copycat Chick-fil-a Kale Salad.
- Steamed rice or fluffy quinoa for a hearty base.
💭 Tips
- Don’t Overcook: Cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F ensures juiciness. Overcooked chicken can dry out quickly.
- Customize Heat Levels: If you want milder heat, remove the jalapeño seeds. For spice enthusiasts, keep the seeds or substitute serrano peppers for extra kick.
- Use Fresh Jalapeños: Fresh peppers deliver a better pop of flavor compared to canned or pre-packaged ones.
- Marinate Longer for Flavor Bombs: While 30 minutes works, longer marination results in more tender and flavorful chicken.
⁉️ FAQ
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Yes! Chicken thighs work great and often stay juicier than breasts. Adjust cooking time as thighs may take slightly longer to reach 165°F.
If you like it extra spicy, leave the seeds in the jalapeños or mix in some chili powder or red pepper flakes.
Absolutely! This recipe would also work well with shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese. Feel free to get creative and use your favorite cheese blend.
🍽 More Recipes
Do you enjoy easy Chicken recipes? Try these delicious recipes:
🧾Recipe Card
Want to make this jalapeno chicken recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Jalapeno Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- large skillets
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup oil high temperature oil
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 jalapenos seeded and sliced
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- ⅓ cup lite soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup ketchup
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl toss the chicken tenderloins with the cornstarch.
- Heat up the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Brown the chicken quickly in the pan. Do not worry if the chicken is not cooked through, it will be cooking more later.
- Remove the chicken from the pan.
- In another skillet or the same one cleaned out add the sesame oil, onion and jalapenos.
- Saute these over medium heat until they start to become tender and slightly browned
- To the pan add the soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic and ketchup.
- Whisk the sauce together.
- Add the chicken to the sauce.
- Cook everything over medium heat until the sauce becomes thick and coats the chicken.
- Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
