What is in Mongolian chicken?

Mongolian chicken is a different dish entirely from the jalapeno chicken recipe , though both are bold in flavor. It typically includes thinly sliced chicken stir-fried in a sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and hoisin. It's often served with scallions and sometimes a hint of ginger for extra depth. Unlike jalapeno chicken, it isn’t usually spicy unless chili is added.

How many calories are in jalapeno chicken?

The number of calories in a jalapeno chicken recipe depends on how it's prepared. A typical serving made with chicken breast, olive oil, jalapeños, garlic, and spices can contain around 280–350 calories per serving. If you add cheese, cream, or serve it with rice or tortillas, that number can increase. Baking instead of frying can also help lower the calorie count.

What spices go well with jalapeños?

Jalapeños pair well with warm and smoky spices that complement their heat. Great options include cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder , and oregano . For a flavor twist in your jalapeno chicken recipe , you can also try coriander, chipotle powder, or even a dash of cinnamon for complexity. Looking to make your jalapeños last all year? Check out our simple guide on preserving jalapeños so you're never out of spicy flavor.

What is Chinese jalapeno chicken?

Chinese jalapeno chicken is a spicy stir-fry dish made with battered or sautéed chicken tossed in a soy-based sauce with fresh jalapeños. Unlike the Western-style jalapeno chicken recipe , this version leans on Asian flavors—like sesame oil, rice vinegar, and garlic—and is usually served over white rice or noodles. It's quick, spicy, and full of umami. Want to explore jalapeños in more creative ways? Check out our savory list of chicken and jalapeño recipes for bold, unique takes.

Jalapeno Chicken Recipe – 3 Spicy Versions You’ll Love

Description

This Jalapeño Chicken is a quick, flavorful dish featuring juicy chicken cooked with spicy jalapeños and garlic in a savory pan sauce. It’s bold, satisfying, and perfect for anyone who loves heat with their protein.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup uncooked white rice, *or any grain of choice
2 lbs chicken breasts, bonless/skinless
½ cup corn starch , or arrowroot
¼ tsp cracked black pepper
¼ tsp sea salt
1 tsp olive oil
¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 jalapeño, sliced, *see notes

Sauce Ingredients

½ tbsp fresh ginger, chopped, *see notes
⅓ cup soy sauce , or tamari if gluten free
⅓ cup water
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tsp red pepper flakes , *optional!
½ tbsp cornstarch + ¼ tsp water , *mixed together to make a slurry, see

Instructions

Start to cook the rice if using, according to package instructions. Typically it takes about 20 minutes to make rice. Prepare the chicken by patting it dry with a paper towel and cubing into equal 1 inch size cubes.
In a bowl, add corn starch, salt, and pepper and whisk well. Heat olive oil in a skillet on medium high heat. Add the chicken to the cornstarch bowl and mix well to ensure even coating. Add the chicken to the heated pan, brown on all the sides, about 7-8 minutes. Place chicken in bowl and set aside.
In the same pan, add ½ tsp of oil if needed. Next, add chopped onion, garlic, ginger, jalapeño to the same skillet and sauté for about 3 minutes. In a medium sized bowl, whisk, water, soy sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes and cornstarch slurry (mix the corn starch with the water and add it to the sauce – this is called a slurry).
Add the sauce to the skillet with the onion/garlic mix. Add the browned chicken back into the skillet with the onions, ginger and garlic. Keep it on medium/low heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
Simmer the chicken and sauce for about 4-6 minutes or until sauce has thickened, and chicken is fully cooked and reached an internal temperature of 165º. Add optional sesame seeds for garnish and serve over rice and enjoy warm!

Notes

Use fresh or pickled jalapeños depending on your flavor preference.
Great served over rice, quinoa, or tucked into wraps.
Add cream or cheese to mellow the heat and make it a creamy jalapeño chicken.
Meal-prep friendly and reheats well!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet/ Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian/Tex-Mex / American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 1 chicken breast portion
Calories: 573
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: Skinless chicken thighs, soy sauce, brown sugar, white rice,