If you’re craving a dish that marries juicy fruitiness with a hint of heat, Jalapeño Peach Chicken is a showstopper. This recipe combines tender chicken thighs smothered in a luscious peach glaze, punctuated by fresh jalapeños for a vibrant kick. It’s quick to prepare, full of flavor, and sure to become one of your favorite go-to dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet & spicy balance – The peach preserves and fresh peaches bring natural sweetness, while the jalapeño adds just enough heat to make every bite interesting.
- Simple ingredients – Most ingredients are pantry staples or easy to find.
- Quick to cook – From prep to plate in about 30 minutes.
- Versatile – Serve it over rice, couscous, greens, or enjoy with a side of veggies.
Fun fact: This glaze recipe shows up in some of my other recipes too (like the Peach Chicken or fruit-forward mains). You can cross-link to those to give readers further ideas.
Recipe: Jalapeño Peach Chicken
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 31 minutes
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 chicken thighs (or equivalent)
Cuisine: American / Fusion
Course: Main / Dinner
Ingredients
Peaches
- 2 yellow peaches, pitted and sliced
Peach Glaze
- ½ cup (160 g) peach preserves
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, combine peach preserves, olive oil, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir until smooth and set aside.
- Season the chicken. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Rub that seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken.
- Cook the chicken. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place the chicken thighs in (you may have to do this in batches depending on pan size).
- Cook first side for about 5 minutes, until golden.
- Flip the thighs, reduce heat to medium‑low, and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 °F (74 °C).
- Remove the chicken and set it aside (tent loosely with foil to keep warm).
- Sauté jalapeños & peaches. In the same skillet, raise heat back to medium. Add the thinly sliced jalapeño and cook 3 minutes until fragrant. Then add peach slices and cook another 3 minutes until peaches begin to soften.
- Add the glaze. Pour your prepared peach glaze into the skillet. Stir to coat the jalapeño and peach pieces thoroughly.
- Combine & finish. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet. Spoon the glaze over each piece and cook for 1 to 2 more minutes, until the chicken is heated through and glazed.
- Serve warm. Spoon extra glaze over the chicken when serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: ~412 kcal
- (Optional: you can also estimate fat, carbs, protein depending on your ingredient brands)
Tips, Variations & Storage
- Adjust the heat. If you prefer milder flavor, remove jalapeño seeds and membrane. For more heat, add extra jalapeño slices.
- Alternate peaches. Fresh peaches are ideal, but you can use frozen (no need to thaw) or canned (drained). The texture may shift slightly, but it still works.
- Chicken choices. I use chicken thighs for juicy flavor; boneless, skinless. You can try chicken breasts if you prefer, but monitor cooking time so it doesn’t overcook.
- Storage. Let leftovers cool to room temperature (within 2 hours), then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. You can also freeze (2–3 months)—though texture may change slightly due to the glaze sugars.
- Reheating. Thaw overnight if frozen. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven (350 °F) and add a splash of broth or water to keep things moist.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
This dish shines when paired with:
- Fluffy white rice, jasmine, or basmati
- Quinoa or couscous
- Steamed or roasted vegetables (e.g. green beans, zucchini, asparagus)
- A crisp salad with citrus vinaigrette
- Crusty bread to sop up extra glaze
You might also link to some complementary recipes from within your site (via your sitemap) such as side dishes, rice recipes, or even dessert pages to keep readers browsing. For example, if you have a post about a citrus salad or grilled vegetables, link to it to present a full meal.
Why This Recipe Works
The magic is in the glaze. The peach preserves give deep, concentrated fruity sweetness, while fresh peach slices lighten the texture and add freshness. The jalapeño provides a counterpoint of heat that ensures each bite is dynamic and interesting. The seasoning on the chicken (salt, pepper, chili powder) ensures savory balance, and cooking in a skillet helps develop a bit of caramelization. The whole process is fast, flavorful, and satisfying.