Asian Jalapeno Chicken (2024)

Home Meat and Poultry

4.50

/5

30 minutes mins

77 Comments

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By: Lalaine ManaloPosted: 04/09/2021Updated: 04/09/2021

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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!

Asian Jalapeno Chicken (1)

Table Of Contents

  • 1 Velveting technique
  • 2 Cooking tips
  • 3 How to serve
  • 4 How to store leftovers
  • 5 More take-out favorites
  • 6 Asian Jalapeno Chicken

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 🙂

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!

Asian Jalapeno Chicken (2)

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!

Asian Jalapeno Chicken (3)

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!

Asian Jalapeno Chicken (4)

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.
Asian Jalapeno Chicken (5)

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.

Asian Jalapeno Chicken (6)

More take-out favorites

Craving some tasty Asian food for dinner? This lightly-battered honey walnut shrimp coated in a creamy sweet sauce and topped with candied nuts is a must-try!

Get Recipe

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @kawalingpinoy on Facebook and Instagram!

Asian Jalapeno Chicken (7)

4.50 from 75 votes

Asian Jalapeno Chicken

Jalapeno Chicken Stir-fry is a full-flavored dish you'll love with steamed rice. It's quick and easy to make in one pan and under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Author: Lalaine Manalo

Course: Main Course

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4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable or peanut oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 jalapenos, sliced thinly

US CustomaryMetric

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 oruntil 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

Calories: 288kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 945mg, Potassium: 488mg, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 100IU, Vitamin C: 10.7mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 0.9mg

“This 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.”

About Lalaine Manalo

Welcome to Kawaling Pinoy. Here you’ll find hundreds of delicious Filipino and Asian recipes. Make sure to browse around and pick a favorite dish or two. Happy cooking! Read More

Previous PostTomato Grilled Eggplant and Salted Egg Salad
Next Post Pork Adobo with Pineapple

Reader Interactions

4.50 from 75 votes (34 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

  1. Cindy says

    Asian Jalapeno Chicken (10)
    This was full of wonderful flavor. I only used one pepper to test it out, lol. It was perfect for us and gave great flavor to the dish. Just a little sneaky heat, yum! This was so easy and came together quickly. It will definitely be a go-to repeat. Thank you for something new and refreshing in a world full of too many recipes. <3 <3 <3

    Reply

Older Comments

Asian Jalapeno Chicken (2024)

FAQs

Can you put jalapenos in Asian food? ›

Jalapeno Chicken is one of my favorite things to order for Asian takeout. Crispy coated chicken breast pieces that are fried and then tossed in a brown sugar and soy sauce-based sauce with a bit of heat from the jalapenos and the sweetness from sauteed onions?

Why is Asian chicken so tender? ›

It's because they tenderise chicken using a simple method called Velveting Chicken using baking soda. It's a quick and easy method that any home cook can do, and can also be used for beef. Use this for all your favourite Chinese chicken dishes, like Cashew Chicken, Chicken Stir Fry, Chow Mein and Kung Pao Chicken.

What is spicy chicken called in Chinese food? ›

Laziji (simplified Chinese: 辣子鸡; traditional Chinese: 辣子雞; pinyin: làzijī; lit. 'spicy chicken'), also known as dry chili chicken, firecracker chicken, Chongqing chicken, and mala chicken, is a dish of chicken cubes stir-fried in chilis, Szechuan pepper, spicy fermented bean paste, garlic, and ginger.

How many calories are in Chinese jalapeno chicken? ›

5 ½ oz of jalapeno chicken (Chinese Gourmet Express) contains 320 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 19% carbs, 53% fat, and 28% protein. This is a good source of protein (41% of your Daily Value).

What hot pepper is used in Asian food? ›

Tien Tsin chile peppers are also known as Chinese Red Peppers or Tianjin pepper. These chiles are most popular when used in Asian cooking and especially in the Hunan or Szechwan styles.

Are jalapenos popular in Asia? ›

Jalapeño slices are commonly served in Vietnamese pho and bánh mì, and are also a common sandwich and pizza topping in the West.

How do Chinese get their chicken so crispy? ›

The chicken is then air-dried for 10 to 12 hours before being flash-fried, then oil-poached. The skin gets its signature crispiness from 10 to 12 minutes of basting with scalding hot oil right before serving.

How do Chinese keep chicken moist? ›

Chinese stir-fried chicken is extra tender due to the velveting technique. Chicken is sliced into thin, even-sized pieces and then marinated briefly in a mix of baking soda, cornstarch, wine, and seasoning. This seals in moisture and tenderizes the chicken.

Why is Asian fried chicken so crispy? ›

The Korean fried chicken is super crispy because potato starch is added to its batter and the chicken is fried twice. This second frying also cooks off the excess water in the chicken from the first frying. Korean fried chicken is known to stay extra crispy for a long time, even with a glazed surface.

What is the Chinese crispy chicken called? ›

Crispy fried chicken
Traditional Chinese炸子雞
Simplified Chinese炸子鸡
Hanyu Pinyinzhàzǐjī
Jyutpingzaa3zi2gai1
6 more rows

What is Szechuan vs Hunan chicken? ›

A FEW POINTS. The origin of Szechuan chicken and Hunan chicken are from two different regions. There are a generous amount of chilli peppers and garlic used in both of these dishes. In comparison to Szechuan cuisine, the flavour of Hunan cuisine is generally hotter in flavour.

Is General Tso's chicken spicy? ›

General Tso's Chicken is a Chinese takeout go-to. Make it all in one dish in the comfort of your home for a sweet and spicy treat!

How many calories in spicy jalapeno pineapple chicken? ›

The Spicy Jalapeno - Pineapple Specialty Chicken from Domino's contains 210 calories. This means that if you consume this dish, you are adding 210 calories to your daily intake. However, remember the calorie count can vary slightly depending on the exact portion size and specific ingredients.

How many calories in a jalapeno chicken from Mcdonald's? ›

View Nutrition Summary
Kilocalorie284kCal
Saturated Fat3.7g
Trans Fat0g
Cholesterol26.9mg

How many calories in one chicken finger at a Chinese restaurant? ›

It has also known chicken tenders, chicken goujons, chicken, chicken strips, tenders, chicken fillets, or chicken fritter. Chicken Finger (1 piece) 220.0 calories, 120.0 calories from fat.

Are jalapenos used in Thai food? ›

Most traditional Thai food dishes are prepared with spice, specifically with Thai chili's. However, it's very common to find jalapenos in Thai dishes because of their similar qualities and taste to the Thai chili.

Are jalapenos used in Vietnamese food? ›

Pho is a rice-noodle soup, made with a rich broth, plus a selection of meats, and topped with fresh herbs, jalapenos and lime juice.

Do you put jalapenos in pho? ›

Pho Soup Ingredients:

garnishes: fresh herbs (cilantro, mint, and/or Thai basil), bean sprouts, lime wedges, thinly-sliced chiles (Thai bird chiles or jalapeños), thinly-sliced onions (green onions or white onions), sauces (hoisin and/or sriracha)

How to spice up Asian food? ›

8 Essential Asian Spices to Have on Hand
  1. Chilli. A staple in Asian cooking, the possibilities are endless when cooking with chilli. ...
  2. Cinnamon. ...
  3. Tom yum. ...
  4. Star anise. ...
  5. Cumin. ...
  6. Galangal root (Thai ginger) ...
  7. Saffron. ...
  8. Turmeric.

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