Description
Jalapeno Chicken is a flavorful and family-friendly dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked with spicy jalapenos, savory soy sauce, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar. This quick and easy skillet recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights, served deliciously over steamed white rice and garnished with sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 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
Sauce and Aromatics
- 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
For Cooking and Serving
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Cooked white rice, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with cornstarch, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly, then set aside to rest while preparing the sauce.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the water, soy sauce, light brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering hot, carefully add the coated chicken pieces. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until the chicken is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a plate; cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the diced yellow onion and sliced jalapeno peppers. Sauté over medium heat for about 4-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions and jalapenos have softened and become fragrant.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the prepared soy sauce mixture. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the chicken evenly.
- Serve: Remove from heat and transfer the jalapeno chicken to serving plates. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and serve hot over cooked white rice for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- For milder heat, remove the seeds from the jalapenos before slicing.
- Use dark soy sauce for a deeper flavor and color if preferred.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted but may require shorter cooking time to avoid drying out.
- Make sure to cook chicken fully to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Serve with steamed rice or your favorite grain to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
