Asian Jalapeno Chicken is easy to make with simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes! A delicious medley of sweet and savory flavors with a kick of spice, it's a full-flavored dish sure to hit the spot!
If you're a long-time reader of the blog, you probably noticed I hadn't posted any new recipes for a while and have been mostly republishing old posts. You see, we'll be launching a new design for the site in the next week or so, and I'm trying to update old content with better photos to match the anticipated bonggalicious look ๐
I hope you've been enjoying these delicious blasts from the past, like this grilled tomato salad or this slow-cooker Lechon, as I have another oldie and goodie from our archive. Asian Jalapeno Chicken Stir Fry!
If you frequent Chinese fast-food restaurants, you've probably seen jalapeno chicken added to the menu in recent years. It's really not your traditional Chinese entree but is more of a delicious fusion of Mexican and Chinese tastes.
This chicken stir-fry is one of the most popular choices in our neighborhood Asian restaurant, and I'm excited for you to give it a try. With lightly battered chicken tossed in a sweet and savory sauce and sliced jalapenos for a healthy kick of spice, it's an interesting combination of delectable flavors that's sure to hit the spot!
Velveting technique
The recipe uses a cooking technique called velveting, where the meat is coated in cornstarch and cooked in hot oil before stir-frying. The method keeps the meat from toughening, creating chicken pieces that are velvety soft, and super moist.
And oh my, the SAUCE! It's sweet, savory, sticky, spicy, and so yummy over heaps of steamed rice!
This restaurant copycat is easy to make at home using simple pantry ingredients you can find at most major supermarkets. It cooks in one pan in 30 minutes or less for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Plus, it makes great leftovers for the next day's packed lunches. Good thing the recipe can be easily doubled (or tripled) from serving a family of four to feeding a hungry crowd.
Cooking tips
- Cut the chicken pieces in uniform size to ensure even cooking.
- If you can't find Chinese cooking wine, substitute dry sherry.
How to serve
Asian Jalapeno Chicken is delicious as a main dish for lunch or dinner. Serve with steamed rice and stir-fried chow mein noodles for the ultimate Chinese take-out fake-out at home!
How to store leftovers
- Allow to cool completely and transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in the microwave at 2 to 3-minute intervals until warmed through.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- ยผ cup cornstarch
- ยผ cup soy sauce
- ยผ cup Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ยฝ cup vegetable or peanut oil
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 jalapenos, sliced thinly
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine chicken and cornstarch. Mix until chicken is fully coated and marinate for about 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, and brown sugar. Stir until blended and sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
- In a wok or wide skillet, heat oil. Add chicken and fry until crisp and fully cooked. Do not overcrowd skillet, cook in batches as needed.
- With a slotted spoon, remove chicken from pan and drain on paper towels.
- Remove excess oil from the skillet except for about 1 tablespoon. Add garlic and jalapenos and cook, stirring regularly, for about 30to 40 seconds or until aromatic.
- Return chicken to skillet and add soy sauce mixture.
- Continue to cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through and sauce is thickened. Serve hot.
Notes
- Cut the chicken pieces in uniform size to ensure even cooking.
- If you can't find Chinese cooking wine, substitute dry sherry.
Nutrition Information
โThis website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.โ
CP says
Delicious!!! I substituted the Chinese wine for Sherry wine. I added broccoli, served with rice. Next time I will double up on the sauce. This will be a new family meal that everyone loves!
Lalaine Manalo says
Thank you for the 5-stars, CP. I am glad the family enjoyed the dish. Broccoli sounds like a great addition; can't wait to try it!
Kathy says
Unique recipe, great flavor! Husband requests this every other week. Love how easy it is to make.
Kathy
Lalaine Manalo says
Thank you so much, Kathy, for the 5-stars. I am glad hubby enjoyed it ๐
Caren says
Excellent recipe! Fast and easy! I added some onion too!
Lalaine Manalo says
Thank you so much, Caren. Onion sounds like a delicious addition ๐
Heather says
Made this last night for dinner. I added onions and I think I should have added a third jalapeรฑo but It was sooo good.
Lalaine says
Thanks for the feedback! I am glad you enjoyed it. And yes, to extra jalapeno; the spicier, the better ๐
Soumyadip says
Looks amazing, will try this !
Jerry says
This has become one of our repeat recipes! Love it! We do it sometimes with chicken, sometimes with shrimp ... I honestly may even like the shrimp better. I do double up on the sauce ... pour off the extra and keep it in a side dish to add when desired. I also add about a tablespoon of fish sauce to the doubled sauce. The only other addition is, I add fresh basil to the pan about a minute before itโs ready to plate. Awesome recipe!
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi Jerry! The shrimp sounds amazing as well as the addition of fresh basil ๐
Esther says
Made this dish as written, & it was very good. Having said that, I'd make a couple of changes going forward. I'd sautee the chicken rather than velvetize & fry (personal preference). Would add an additional jalapeno. I tripled the sauce, but forgot to triple the brown sugar, so the sauce was a little salty. My bad! Again, it was still very good & would've been better had I added the additional brown sugar. Lesson learned....
Lalaine says
Thank you much, Esther, for the feedback. I am glad the recipe worked well for you!
Mark says
This stir fry was extremely good. Thank you for posting it!
Lalaine Manalo says
I'm glad you liked it, Mark!
Areejtaqi says
Can you tell me any other substitute of Chinese wine because I donโt want to use any alcohol in my food.
Lalaine says
You can try cider vinegar or apple juice ๐
Sheryll says
I did not have the chinese wine so I replaced it with vinegar and sesame oil. The result is still oh so goood!
Lalaine says
Glad to know it worked out well for you ๐
Lilo says
This has become a family favorite in our house ๐ thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Lalaine says
Thanks, Lilo, for the feedback. I am glad you like it ๐
mifie says
This site is a big help for me. I have no idea how to cook, by visiting this page I think I am now ready to get married. HAHAHA
Lalaine says
Thank you so much, Mifie. You made my day.
Glad to know I help prepare you for married life. As they say, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Although I might have to disagree as I am great cook and I am divorced hahaha
Rush says
Love this recipe.. Used white wine vinegar instead of the chinese vinegar.
Lalaine says
Thanks for the feedback, Rush. I am glad you enjoyed the recipe ๐
larry says
Hi Lalaine, I love this recipe, thank you! Larry
Lalaine says
You're welcome, Larry ๐
Marge says
hi,
My niece handed me my ipad and I think she's been researching about food..
looking at your pictures makes me feel hungry.
I live in Palawan now after living almost 7years in the US. We always eat fresh fish here at cheaper price I would say compare to cdo, Davao, Cebu etc.
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi Marge! I just got back from the Philippines. I love trying out different Filipino restaurants whenever I come home to visit!
DKS says
Looks really yummy. Just wondering whether using chicken wings instead of boneless chicken cubes will be okay? My kids love chicken wings and I would love to try out this recipe with chicken wings.
Lalaine Manalo says
I haven't tried it but I don't see why it won't work ๐