If you love a little heat in your meals, you’ve got to try this Jalapeno Chicken recipe! Chicken tenders are coated in a sticky, spicy jalapeno sauce that packs the perfect punch. It’s an easy, mouthwatering dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick but full of flavor.
Easy Jalapeno Chicken Recipe
Skip the takeout and dive into this mouthwatering Jalapeno Chicken for an easy, flavor-packed weeknight dinner! Crispy, tender chicken bites are drenched in a thick, sweet, and spicy sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, onions, and, of course, fresh jalapenos. The result? Sticky, sweet, and spicy perfection! Serve it over rice or creamy mashed potatoes for a meal the whole family will love. This dish comes together quickly, making it your new go-to for busy nights!
This is one of the simplest yet flavorful chicken recipes I’ve ever tried! The sauce is perfectly balanced and has the right amount of heat without overwhelming the palate. I typically use less jalapenos if my kids are eating it, but I love heat and the sauce has a great spice level for me. The brown sugar adds sweetness, while the soy sauce adds a savory and umami flavor that seamlessly ties the whole dish together. Serve it with the side dish of your choice and you have a complete and filling dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Jalapeno Chicken
- 30-minute meal. It only takes 30 minutes to prepare and cook this recipe!
- You may adjust the heat. Use less or more peppers, the choice is yours.
- Great leftovers. This hot pepper chicken reheats so well, making it perfect for leftovers the next day.
Recipe Ingredients
Below is everything you need for this jalapeno chicken recipe. The sauce has a very complex flavor profile so all of the items add depth of flavor that makes it craveable!
- Chicken tenderloins: I like using chicken tenders for this recipe because they cook quickly. You may use any cut of chicken, though. Chicken thighs and breasts are great in the jalapeno sauce, too.
- Cornstarch: This adds a thin crispy outside to the chicken that adds a good textural contrast to the thick sauce.
- Brown sugar: I like adding brown sugar to balance the savory and spice while also helping to thicken the sauce so it coats the chicken.
- Onion: I use chopped onion as an aromatic that I saute with the jalapeno slices. It adds texture, subtle sweetness, and depth of flavor.
- Jalapenos: Fresh jalapenos are used in this recipe. I remove the seeds and membranes to tame the heat. You may leave them if you prefer.
- Sesame oil: The toasted flavor of the sesame oil works wonderfully in this sauce. I use just a little bit to soften the onions and peppers.
- Soy sauce: This adds a salty, umami flavor to the sauce. It adds depth and balances the sweetness and heat.
- Vinegar: A little vinegar is a great way to get a pop of acidity in the sauce without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Garlic: Soy, garlic, and sesame all work well together. The sharp flavor of the garlic enhances the sticky sauce well.
- Ketchup: To add body, and acidity, and to tie it all together, I like to add some ketchup. Plus, the tomato flavor is great in this recipe.
How to Make Jalapeno Chicken
This is an easy recipe that you may make in the same skillet! Once the chicken is browned, it is finished in a sweet and spicy sauce. Make a tasty side dish and you have a filling meal.
- Coat the tenders in cornstarch. Add the chicken and cornstarch to a large bowl. Toss to coat the chicken completely and set it aside.
- Prep the skillet. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add some oil.
- Brown the chicken. Once hot, add the chicken and cook until brown on all sides. Remove them from the skillet.
- Cook the onions and jalapenos. Add the onions, jalapenos, and sesame oil. Reduce the heat to medium and saute them until they are tender.
- Add the sauce ingredients. Stir in the remaining ingredients for the jalapeno sauce until well combined.
- Return the chicken to the pan. Put the browned tenders back in the pan and stir to coat the chicken.
- Thicken the sauce and finish the chicken. Allow it to cook until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve. Enjoy over rice or your favorite side!
Serving Ideas
- Starches: Mashed Potatoes, Duck Fat Potatoes, or Lemon Rice with Mint
- Veggies: Honey Butter Skillet Corn, Southern Collard Greens Recipe, or Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries
- Salads: Three Bean Salad, Corn Salad, or Wedge Salad
Proper Storage
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. I do not recommend freezing the chicken in the jalapeno sauce as it becomes watered down when thawed.
More Chicken Recipes to Try
Jalapeno Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup oil for frying
- 1 each small onion chopped
- 3 each jalapenos seeded and sliced
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/3 cup lite soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/3 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.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can leave the seeds in the jalapenos for a spicier dish.
- Use less jalapenos for a milder dish.
- You can use any cut of chicken your family prefers.
Nutrition
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2 comments on “Jalapeno Chicken”
There are 2 measurements for brown sugar. Do I add both?
Hi Ellise. The brown sugar was added twice accidentally. I’ve corrected the amount. Thank you!