This Asian Jalapeno Chicken is a quick, healthy, and flavorful dish that brings together the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a great alternative to takeout, with no breading or frying. The chicken is cooked in a honey lemon sauce with a touch of Sriracha and jalapenos for a fiery kick, making it the ideal dish for a busy weeknight.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch chunks)

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

• ½ teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)

For the sauce:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• ½ cup honey

• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon Sriracha (optional)

• 1 jalapeno (thinly sliced)

Directions

1. Cook the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, then set aside.

2. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. In a separate small saucepan, combine honey, garlic, lemon juice, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, Sriracha, and jalapeno slices. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and stir in the cornstarch mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

3. Combine and serve: Stir in the cooked chicken, ensuring it is well coated with the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro. Serve immediately over rice or quinoa for a complete meal.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 255 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 25g

• Protein: 24g

• Fat: 8g

• Saturated Fat: 1g

• Cholesterol: 70mg

• Sodium: 800mg

• Potassium: 295mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 19g

• Vitamin A: 500 IU

• Vitamin C: 20mg

• Calcium: 40mg

• Iron: 2mg

The Chicken: Tender and Savory

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the perfect protein for this dish. They cook quickly, are lean, and have a mild flavor that complements the bold sauce beautifully. When cut into 1-inch chunks, the chicken pieces brown nicely, creating a flavorful sear that enhances the overall taste of the dish. The quick sear over medium-high heat allows the chicken to remain tender and juicy on the inside while developing a golden crust on the outside. The simple seasoning of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper ensures that the natural flavors of the chicken shine through without overpowering the sauce.

After cooking, the chicken is set aside to rest while the sauce comes together, allowing the pieces to retain their juiciness and tenderness. Once the sauce is ready, the chicken is added back in, absorbing all the sweet, spicy, and savory flavors from the honey lemon sauce.

The Sauce: A Perfect Balance of Sweet, Tangy, and Spicy

The heart of this dish is the sauce, which is a tantalizing blend of honey, lemon juice, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic. This combination creates a harmony of flavors that coats the chicken beautifully. The honey adds a subtle sweetness that balances out the heat from the jalapenos and Sriracha, while the lemon juice provides a bright, tangy contrast to the richness of the sauce. The soy sauce and sesame oil deepen the savory umami profile of the dish, giving it a full-bodied flavor.

One of the standout ingredients in this sauce is the jalapeno. Thinly sliced, it infuses the sauce with heat, while also providing a fresh, crisp texture. If you love heat, the addition of Sriracha adds an extra punch, making the dish fiery and bold. However, the amount of Sriracha can be adjusted according to your spice tolerance, giving you control over how spicy the dish becomes.

To thicken the sauce, a cornstarch mixture is added, which helps the sauce adhere to the chicken and gives it a glossy, satisfying finish. The thickened sauce clings to the chicken, making each bite deliciously flavorful.

Cooking Process: Quick and Easy

Making this dish is a breeze. First, you cook the chicken chunks in a large skillet until they are golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside. This creates a flavorful crust that enhances the chicken’s natural taste. Once the chicken is cooked, it’s set aside while you prepare the sauce.

The sauce is a simple mix of honey, garlic, lemon juice, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and the optional Sriracha. The key here is to bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and stir in the cornstarch mixture. This helps the sauce thicken quickly, creating a luscious texture that clings perfectly to the chicken. The jalapeno slices are added to the sauce, allowing them to soften slightly and release their heat into the sauce.

After the sauce is ready, you simply stir the cooked chicken back into the skillet, ensuring it is evenly coated in the flavorful sauce. The dish is then garnished with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, which add a touch of freshness and a burst of flavor.

Serving Suggestions: A Complete Meal

To make this dish even more satisfying, serve it over rice or quinoa. The rice will soak up the flavorful sauce, creating a complete and balanced meal. If you prefer a low-carb option, you can serve it over cauliflower rice for a lighter alternative.

This dish also pairs well with a simple side of steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers, to add more color and nutrients to the meal. The combination of savory chicken, tangy sauce, and a bit of spice makes this meal both comforting and exciting, perfect for any weeknight dinner.

Nutritional Information: A Healthier Takeout Alternative

Each serving of Asian Jalapeno Chicken contains 255 calories, making it a lighter and healthier option compared to traditional takeout dishes. With 24 grams of protein, this dish is filling and provides a good amount of lean protein, helping you stay full longer. The total fat is 8 grams per serving, with only 1 gram of saturated fat, making it a heart-healthy choice.

The dish also provides 2 grams of fiber, thanks to the jalapenos and other ingredients, as well as 19 grams of sugar primarily from the honey. It offers a nice boost of vitamin C (20mg per serving) from the lemon juice and jalapenos, supporting immune health and skin vitality. The 800mg of sodium may seem high, but it’s reduced by using reduced-sodium soy sauce, helping to keep the salt content in check without compromising flavor.

Conclusion: A Quick and Flavorful Weeknight Meal

Asian Jalapeno Chicken is the perfect dish for a busy weeknight when you crave something flavorful, healthy, and satisfying. With its balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, it brings the taste of takeout to your kitchen in just 20 minutes. The honey lemon sauce with Sriracha and jalapenos gives the chicken a fiery kick, while the sesame oil and soy sauce provide deep umami flavors. The dish is quick to prepare, easy to make, and full of vibrant, bold flavors that will satisfy your cravings. Whether served over rice or quinoa, this dish is a healthy, flavorful alternative to traditional takeout that is sure to become a family favorite.