Description
Jalapeno Peach Chicken is a delightful main course that combines the sweet juiciness of ripe peaches with the spicy kick of jalapeños, creating a vibrant sweet and spicy dish. Perfect for summer, this skillet-cooked chicken features a rich sauce made from peach preserves, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce, simmered to perfection and garnished with fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Toppings
- 2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
- 1–2 jalapeños, thinly sliced, seeds removed for less heat
- ⅓ cup peach preserves or jam
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Fresh basil or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Heat the Skillet: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Sear the Chicken: Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown, creating a flavorful crust. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Cook Peaches and Jalapeños: Add the sliced peaches and jalapeños to the skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes until the peaches soften and release their juices.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the peach preserves, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard, mixing well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the chicken pieces to the skillet, spoon the sauce over them, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped basil or cilantro leaves, and serve immediately over your choice of rice, couscous, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by using more or fewer jalapeños depending on your heat preference.
- This dish pairs beautifully with rice, couscous, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- Nectarines can be substituted for peaches if preferred or if peaches are unavailable.
- For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce mixture for 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
