Description
This Jalapeño Chicken recipe is a flavorful, spicy, and easy-to-make dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces sautéed with fresh jalapeños, onions, and a tangy soy-honey-lime sauce, it offers a vibrant Tex-Mex inspired flavor. Serve it over rice, quinoa, or in tortillas for a satisfying meal that can be tailored to your heat preference.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 3–4 jalapeños, sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet and chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, then season with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Cook for 5–6 minutes until the chicken pieces are browned and nearly cooked through.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the sliced onions and jalapeños to the skillet. Sauté the mixture for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its fragrance.
- Make the sauce and finish cooking: Reduce heat to medium. Add soy sauce, honey, and lime juice to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to coat the chicken and vegetables in the sauce. Let it simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Adjust and serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges if desired. Serve hot over rice, quinoa, or inside tortillas.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, stir in 2 tablespoons of cream cheese or Greek yogurt at the end.
- Adjust the number of jalapeños based on your preferred spice level.
- This dish works great for meal prep and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
