There’s no better way to add some heat to your normal dinner routine. So, if you can stand the heat, it’s time to hit the kitchen. This selection has everything heat-lovers could ask for. That includes mildly spiced dishes that won’t burn your tongue to fiery entrees that might just break the Scoville scale. Whether you like spicy chicken recipes with paprika, cayenne, hot sauce, or Sriracha, I have them all. Just pick your poison and get ready to sweat.
Best Ever Firecracker Chicken and More!
1. Sweet and Spicy Chicken
Let’s start things on a mild note, shall we? Here’s a sweet and spicy dish the whole family will love. You’ll make a wonderfully sticky glaze of brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. That coats crispy fried chicken chunks until they’re shiny and bursting with flavor. The sweet and spicy combo gives this dish the right balance, so it won’t scorch your tongue. And while it has a kick, I think most kids will this chicken dinner.
2. Firecracker Chicken
Next up is another sweet and spicy dish with an extra fiery finish. Brush chicken breasts with firecracker sauce and bake them until they’re juicy. How easy is that? Mixing hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and pepper will make you sweat a little. But it’s countered by the mild, meaty chicken, so it’s not overwhelming.
3. Korean Fried Chicken
Korean food is having a moment, and I’m so here for it! Not only is it fresh and flavorful, but it’s so stunning when plated! And this Korean fried chicken is simply irresistible. It has that crunchy and crispy outside we all love, plus a juicy center that’ll keep you coming back for more. But what makes it extraordinary are the marinade and sauce. Using Asian condiments like gochujang (Korean bean paste), soy sauce, and sesame oil, this dish has a wonderfully sweet and spicy flavor like no other.
4. Mind-Blowing Nashville Hot Chicken
This next one is not for the faint-hearted! Try the Nashville hot chicken only if you can handle the heat. The color of the sauce alone tells you this dish is immensely fiery. As the name suggests: it’s mind-blowing! Brushed with a spicy oil infused with cayenne, paprika, and chili powder, it’ll definitely scorch the tongue a little. Have a few napkins on hand, and watch those eyes!
5. Spicy White Bean Chicken Chili
A colorful medley of chicken, corn, white beans, and green chili makes up this hearty and comforting stew. It gets its heat from hot salsa verde and green chiles. So, it’ll definitely warm your body on a stormy or snowy evening. But watch out: this dish has some heat. Although some people think salsa verde is milder than red salsa, it’s actually the opposite.
6. Paprika Chicken Legs
These chicken drumsticks are coated with a blend of spices and roasted to golden perfection. What more could you ask for? Featuring garlic, herbs, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, it starts out kind of mild. But when you cook it in hot oil, the heat is palpable!
7. Hot & Spicy Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings
No collection of spicy chicken recipes is complete without buffalo wings! And while there are hundreds, if not thousands, of versions out there, this one makes it to my top three. Here’s why: First, the chicken is baked, not fried. This removes the guilt of eating a dozen wings in one sitting (we’ve all been there). Next, it’s insanely good. I mean, look at that glistening sauce. Stunning, isn’t it? A perfect mix of hot sauce, butter, paprika, salt, and pepper, it might be simple, but it delivers in spades.
8. Spicy Korean Chicken Stew
If you’ve never tried Korean stew, take this as a sign: do it now, if possible! I’ve had several versions, and they’re all ridiculously delicious. And this one is no exception. Filled with juicy chicken, hearty veggies, and a sweet-savory-spicy broth, this stew is a winner. Serve it with steaming white rice for an epic meal.
9. Baked Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings
Whether you like mildly spicy or intensely hot wings, this recipe is a must-try. These Jamaican jerk chicken wings are finger-lickin’ delicious no matter the spice level. They’re crispy, juicy, and simply addictive. The blend of spices, peppers, and sugar gives it such a unique flavor profile. Somehow they’re sweet, savory, smoky, and spicy, all at the same time.
10. Peri Peri Chicken with Homemade Peri Peri Sauce
Move over, Nando’s, there’s a new King in town. This Peri-Peri chicken tastes like it came straight out of a Portuguese restaurant. It’s not super spicy. Instead, it’s just enough to make your taste buds tingle. That said, the flavors are beyond delish! The sauce is made of paprika, cayenne, garlic, and serrano chilies roasted in the oven to bring out their flavors. Along with red wine vinegar and vegetable oil, they create a luscious dressing so good, it’ll drive you wild.
11. Baked Crispy Spicy Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets may sound mediocre, but wait until you try this recipe. It transforms the ordinary dish into a grown-up masterpiece. These golden nuggets are crispy on the outside and ridiculously juicy and tender on the inside. The breadcrumb coating is infused with chili, paprika, and red pepper flakes, so you know these nuggets mean serious business.
12. Chicken Shawarma (Middle Eastern)
Rubbed with a glorious spice mix of cumin, cardamom, coriander, paprika, and cayenne, this chicken shawarma explodes with flavor. It’s wrapped in pita bread that absorbs the chicken’s juices wonderfully well. Plus, the bread dials down the chicken’s spiciness, creating a pleasant flavor balance.
13. Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Here’s something for my health-conscious readers. If you’re looking for a hearty meal without a boat-load of carbs, spaghetti squash is the solution. I know it’s nowhere near as good as regular spaghetti, but it’s the next best thing. Flavored with everything you love about buffalo chicken, this low-carb spaghetti will satisfy your cravings without ruining your diet.
14. Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
Need something meaty and quick that’s also lean? Try these insanely flavorful chicken meatballs. Using chicken (or turkey) instead of beef cuts down on calories. And when it’s mixed with the seasonings, you’ll hardly even notice the difference. These meatballs are moist, juicy, and bathed with a sweet and spicy firecracker sauce you’ll go nuts for.
15. Sweet & Spicy Roast Chicken with Carrots, Dates & Pistachios
Give classic roast chicken a sweet and spicy makeover! Loaded with carrots, dates, and pistachios, this is a chicken dish like no other. Marinated in orange, lemon, honey, mustard, and pepper, the meat gets lovely sweet, citrus, and spicy flavors. Meanwhile, the dates and pistachios offer a textural contrast that goes perfectly with the tender chicken and carrots. It’s a 10/10 and sure to be a hit.
16. Green Chile Chicken Stew
Melt-in-your-mouth chicken, red potatoes, and green chiles swim in a savory and spicy broth – it’s not just scrumptious, it’s hearty as well. Complete with carbs, protein, vegetables, and fat, this stew will satisfy your hunger easily. Serve it with sour cream and avocado slices for the ultimate Mexican comfort food.
17. Stuffed Buffalo Chicken
Bring bland chicken breasts to life with this easy peasy spicy chicken recipe. Stuffed chicken is one of my favorite ways to serve the lean protein. And this recipe, with its creamy filling of blue cheese, cream cheese, Ranch, and bacon, is one of the best out there. But that’s not all. You’ll also brush the whole thing with buffalo sauce before it’s roasted to perfection. Winner winner, chicken dinner!
18. Suya (Chicken)
Suya is an African dish of grilled meat skewers drizzled with a spicy peanut sauce. It’s just like the popular Indonesian dish, but with a fun and fresh African twist. Beef is often used in suya, but using chicken will give you a leaner yet equally flavorful dish. Of course, it doesn’t really matter what meat you use because the flavor comes from the peanut spice blend. A mix of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic and onion powders, and peanut butter, this peanut sauce is pure perfection.
19. Spicy Chicken Drumsticks
Don’t these drumsticks look so gorgeous in that glossy sauce? With crispy skin on the outside and juicy meat on the inside, these drumsticks are bangin’. Seasoned with salt, chili powder, and cayenne, the flavor profile is a beautiful combo of salty, savory, and spicy. Can you believe the entire recipe only calls for five ingredients? These babies are quick, jam-packed with flavor, and ideal with everything from roasted potatoes and veggies to brown rice and quinoa.
20. Chicken Tamale Casserole
This is one dish you’ll make it again and again. It’s just that good! It’s a bed of crumbly cornbread slathered with chicken, cheese, corn, black beans, and a spicy enchilada sauce. With this casserole, you’ll transform any simple dinner into a fiery Mexican feast!
21. Doro Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Chicken Stew)
This Ethiopian dish is likely unfamiliar to most, but I know it’ll be a fast fave after just one bite. It’s an extremely spicy stew loaded with chicken, whole, hard-boiled eggs, and a truckload of spices. Oh, and when I say this stew is extremely spicy, I mean you’ll need at least a gallon of milk on the side. So, proceed with caution!
22. Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
As a busy woman, I’m always grateful for one-pot dishes. For instance, this creamy Cajun chicken pasta is the perfect solution to hectic weeknights. Filled with penne, Cajun chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, and cream cheese, this dish is like a pot of gold. With its perfect combination of creamy, smoky, and spicy flavors, it’s the kind of dinner you can’t just have one plate of. So be sure to serve yourself first because it won’t last long!
23. Thai Red Curry with Chicken
Red may not be the spiciest curry, but to me, it’s the best. Rather than burning your tongue, you can actually taste all the spices inside! Made with ingredients like fish sauce, kaffir, Thai basil leaves, and more, this curry has deep flavors you’ll crave again and again. And since it doesn’t blow your head off, you can even indulge in a second bowl.
24. Buffalo Chicken Salad with Spicy Ranch Dressing
A mix of lettuce, shredded carrots, corn, blue cheese, buffalo chicken, and Ranch dressing? Yeah, this isn’t your average chicken salad. The textures are on point, from crunchy veggies and tender chicken to creamy cheese. Plus, it’s colorful, making it a fun addition to any lunch or dinner. But it’s really the flavor that’ll blow you away. It looks like a salad, but somehow, it tastes like buffalo wings!
25. Thai Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup
Here’s another Thai-inspired dish my American taste buds just can’t get enough of. It’s chicken noodle soup with an Asian twist! That twist comes in the form of creamy coconut milk and hearty rice noodles and vegetables. Thai red curry gives the broth some heat, but it’s wonderfully balanced by coconut milk. And if you don’t like a lot of heat, feel free to reduce the curry paste or add some sugar/honey to the mix.
26. Trinidad Curry Chicken
Here’s another fantastic curry dish to add to your arsenal of spicy chicken recipes. This time it’s not from Thailand but Trinidad. Green curry is the hottest of all curries, but it’s also a bit sweet. Cook it with coconut milk and lime juice, and you’ll get a beautiful harmony of flavors. This dish is fragrant, vibrant, and simply to die for.
27. Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Say ‘hello’ to the most mouthwatering spicy chicken tacos ever! It’s got tons of shredded buffalo chicken, plenty of crisp lettuce, and juicy tomatoes piled on top of soft tortillas. Finish these off with a creamy Ranch dressing for the perfect taco Tuesday treat.
28. Spicy Orange Chicken
Orange chicken is typically very sweet with lovely citrus notes and lots of sticky crunch. But this version takes things up a notch. You’ll get crispy chicken coated in a sticky, sweet, spicy orange glaze that’s too good for words. I like to add Sriracha to the sauce because I like things extra fiery. But this recipe is pretty warm as is.
29. Chicken Chili Verde
This chicken chili Verde is Mexican comfort food at its finest. It’s a warming stew cooked in a tomatillo and green chile sauce. Again, an excellent example of spicy green goodness! Between the spicy sauce, tender, boneless chicken thighs, and fragrant vegetables, all that’s missing is some fluffy rice on the side. Serve it with a big batch of cornbread, and you’ll be full well into tomorrow.
30. Chicken Biryani
Last but not least, is an Indian staple known all over the world. Who can say no to a fragrant bowl of chicken biryani? This recipe is relatively easy, but it’ll give any Indian restaurant a run for its money!
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