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Spicy Jalapeño Chicken

Spicy jalapeño chicken that pan-sears golden thighs, then simmers them in a fiery jalapeño-garlic sauce. Bold hot sauce chicken with jalapeño-lime glaze, sliced peppers on top, and quick weeknight skillet flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Jalapeño and garlic
  • 2 jalapeños minced
  • 1 jalapeños sliced for garnish
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
Sauce
  • 1 /4 cup hot sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
Spices
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • salt to taste
Serving
  • fresh cilantro and lime wedges for serving

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Season and sear the chicken
  1. Season the chicken thighs with cumin, smoked paprika, and salt to taste.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden.
  3. Remove the chicken and set it aside while you make the sauce in the same pan.
Make the jalapeño-garlic sauce
  1. Sauté the minced jalapeños and garlic in the same pan for 2 minutes.
  2. Stir in the hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, and lime juice, then simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Glaze and garnish
  1. Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over, then cook for 3 more minutes until glazed and cooked through.
  2. Garnish with the sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for serving.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the pan hot while searing so the thighs turn golden before the sauce goes in. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the jalapeño sauce can thin when thawed. For a lower-sugar option, swap honey for a sugar-free honey substitute and adjust to taste.