Description
This Jalapeno Chicken recipe features tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs tossed in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and fiery jalapenos. Cooked in a skillet for a quick and delicious meal, it’s garnished with sesame seeds and served over fluffy white rice, making it a perfect spicy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 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 & 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
Additional
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Cooked white rice, for serving
Instructions
- Coat the chicken: In a large mixing bowl, toss chicken pieces with cornstarch, kosher salt, and ground black pepper until evenly coated. Set aside to let the coating adhere.
- Prepare the sauce mixture: In a medium bowl, combine water, soy sauce, light brown sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is well blended. Set aside.
- Heat oil and cook chicken: Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the extra virgin olive oil. When the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully add the chicken pieces in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Cook chicken for about 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and tent to keep warm.
- Sauté the onions and jalapenos: In the same skillet, add diced yellow onion and sliced jalapeno peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften and become fragrant, about 4-6 minutes.
- Combine chicken with sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the onions and jalapenos. Pour the prepared soy sauce mixture over the chicken and stir well to coat everything evenly. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and flavors meld.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat. Serve the jalapeno chicken over cooked white rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds for an added nutty flavor and crunch.
Notes
- For less heat, remove jalapeno seeds before slicing.
- Use chicken breast if preferred, but thighs remain juicier for this dish.
- Adjust brown sugar quantity to balance spiciness to your taste.
- Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure crispy chicken exterior.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American