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Spicy Jalapeño Chicken

Spicy jalapeño chicken cooked in a hot skillet until golden, then simmered in a glossy jalapeño-garlic, hot sauce, honey, soy, and lime glaze. Pan seared chicken thighs get spooned with fiery jalapeño lime sauce and finished with sliced jalapeños, cilantro, and lime.
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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 and seasonings
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • salt to taste
Jalapeño-garlic sauce
  • 3 jalapeños 2 minced, 1 sliced for garnish
  • 4 clove garlic minced
  • 0.25 cup hot sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
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. Make sure each side is coated evenly so the spices brown during searing.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate and set aside while you build the sauce.
Simmer the jalapeño lime glaze
  1. Sauté the minced jalapeños and garlic in the same pan for 2 minutes. Stir often until fragrant and softened.
  2. Stir in hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, and lime juice, then simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Keep it at a steady simmer so the glaze coats the back of a spoon.
Glaze and serve
  1. Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over. Cook for 3 more minutes until glazed and cooked through.
  2. Garnish with sliced jalapeños, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve right away for the brightest jalapeño and lime flavor.

Notes

Pro tip: for extra browning, pat the chicken thighs dry before seasoning so the spices caramelize during the first sear. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the jalapeño glaze can thin and the chicken texture may soften. If you want a lower-sugar version, reduce honey to 1 tablespoon and add an extra splash of lime juice to keep the sauce balanced.