Spicy Jalapeno Chicken (Printable)
Marinated chicken with jalapeños, garlic, and spices for a flavorful, spicy dish ready in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Vegetables
02 - 3 fresh jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced
03 - 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Marinade & Sauce
05 - 3 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 tbsp lime juice
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - 1 tbsp honey (optional)
→ Garnish
12 - Chopped fresh cilantro
13 - Lime wedges
# Steps:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and honey until well combined.
02 - Add the chicken breasts to the bowl, ensuring they are thoroughly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours for optimal flavor infusion.
03 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Alternatively, heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Place chicken in the hot skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust forms.
05 - Scatter the sliced jalapeños, onion, and minced garlic around the chicken in the skillet.
06 - Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
07 - Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The marinade keeps the chicken incredibly juicy while packing a massive flavor punch.
- It comes together fast but looks impressive enough for a weekend dinner party.
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest after baking is the difference between dry meat and juicy perfection.
- Crowding the pan while searing will steam the meat instead of browning it.
03 -
- If you have time, marinate the chicken overnight for an even deeper flavor penetration.
- A cast iron skillet is ideal for moving from stovetop to oven seamlessly.