Description
Jalapeño Chicken is a quick and flavorful skillet dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces cooked with fresh jalapeños, onions, and a tangy honey-lime glaze. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it balances a mild heat with sweet and savory notes, garnished with fresh cilantro and great served over rice, quinoa, or wrapped in tortillas.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2–3 fresh jalapeños, sliced thin (seeds removed for less heat)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, then season with salt, black pepper, and ground cumin. Cook the chicken for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté the sliced onion and jalapeños for 3–4 minutes until they soften. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring to release their aroma.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Stir in the soy sauce, lime juice, and honey. Cook everything together for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce and allow the flavors to meld.
- Final Touch and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot with rice, quinoa, or tortillas.
Notes
- For extra heat, leave the seeds in the jalapeños or add a pinch of chili flakes.
- You can swap chicken breast for chicken thighs for richer flavor and tenderness.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this dish gluten-free.
- Great as a quick, weeknight meal that pairs well with various sides.
