Spicy Jalapeno Chicken (Printable)

Juicy chicken with jalapeños, garlic, and spices for a bold, spicy dish.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

→ Vegetables

02 - 3 fresh jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
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, for a subtle sweetness)

→ Garnish

12 - Chopped fresh cilantro
13 - Lime wedges

# How-To:

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 and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for optimal flavor.
03 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Alternatively, heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
04 - Remove the chicken from the marinade. Sear in the hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
05 - Scatter the sliced jalapeños, onion, and garlic around the chicken in the skillet.
06 - Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
07 - Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The marinade keeps the chicken incredibly juicy while packing a punch of flavor.
  • It comes together quickly but tastes like it took all day to perfect.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting period, or all those delicious juices will run out onto the cutting board.
  • If you want it less spicy, take extra time to remove all the white membranes from the peppers.
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before searing to get that restaurant-quality golden crust.
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even heat distribution.

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