Jalapeno Chicken with Peaches
Spice up your dinner plans with this bold yet flavorful chicken recipe! It’s no secret that sweet and spicy are a great flavor combination. This jalapeno peach chicken is a fusion of savory, tender chicken, sweet and tangy ripe peaches, and the subtle heat of fresh jalapeno peppers. It’s perfect for those moments when you want something easy to prepare but with a bit of a gourmet feel—plus, it smells pretty amazing while cooking.
Jalapeno Chicken with Peaches
Over the weekend, my sister in law shared a pic of my niece and nephew picking peaches and I was reminded of this Jalapeno Chicken recipe. Since it is peach season, I realized it would be the perfect time to share this delicious sweet and spicy peach chicken recipe.
If you’re anything like me, your first thought might be, “chicken with peaches”? But let me just assure you – yes. Chicken and peaches together provide a little reminder that sometimes the best meals come from unexpected combinations. Give this one a try and you might just find a new favorite meal!
What Makes This Peach Glazed Chicken Great
Bold Flavor Contrasts. The heat of jalapenos pairs perfectly with the naturally sweet peaches, creating a sweet and spicy blend that keeps each bite interesting and vibrant.
30 Minute Meal. Even though Peach Jalapeno Chicken sounds like a fancy meal, this dish is surprisingly simple to make, with basic ingredients and straightforward steps that don’t require a culinary degree or a ton of time. After marinating, which can be done ahead of time, this meal comes together in under 30 minutes and would be great for busy weeknights or a fancy weekend meal.
Versatile and Fresh. This peach-glazed chicken works year-round, whether you use fresh peaches or other fresh fruits. And it pairs well with lots of different sides to keep some variety in your menu.
Tools Needed
- Large bowl with lid (or plastic wrap) for marinating the chicken
- Medium bowl for the peach glaze
- Large skillet
- Tongs
- Paring Knife
Ingredients
Most of the ingredients for this peach and chicken recipe are pantry staples and none of them are too fancy to find at your local grocery store.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
- Fresh jalapenos, seeded and sliced – fresh jalapenos add just the right amount of heat but if you’re concerned about the spice level, you can substitute with a milder pepper like poblano.
- Peach preserves or peach jam
- Garlic, minced
- Apple cider vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Chicken broth
- Cilantro, chopped for garnish
Substitutions
While fresh peaches are my fave, mango, pineapple, or apricot would all be good with this dish.
How to Make Jalapeno Chicken with Peaches
Making glazed chicken is not nearly as hard as you’d think and after marinating the meat, it can be ready to eat in 30 minutes or less!
- Begin by marinating and preparing the chicken. In a large bowl, combine one tablespoon of olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper and mix. Season chicken with the mixture, rubbing it in until it is fully coated. Cover the bowl and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes – 2 hours.
- While the chicken is marinating, prepare the delicious peach glaze. In a medium bowl, combine the peach preserves, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, and soy sauce. Mix until combined, and set aside.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add in your marinated chicken. Cook for 5-6 minutes on one side, then reduce your heat to medium low and cook the other side for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- While the chicken breasts cook, you can start to peel and slice your peaches, and seed and slice your jalapenos. In the same skillet used to cook the chicken, place your peach slices, jalapeno slices, and prepared jalapeno peach sauce. Let cook on medium-low heat for 7-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the peaches are soft.
- Place your chicken back into the skillet with the jalapeno peach glaze and let simmer on low heat for an additional 5-7 minutes. Spoon sauce over the chicken occasionally to allow the chickeumij n to absorb all that flavor.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve with remaining glaze drizzled on top of the chicken. Enjoy!
Pro Tips
Remove the jalapeno seeds and ribs to tone down the heat. If you want to control the heat level, take a moment to remove all the seeds and the white ribs from the jalapenos before cooking. This small step can make the dish less spicy without losing any flavor.
Use a meat thermometer as a great way to ensure your chicken is cooked to the correct temperature and avoid overcooking or undercooking.
Perfect Peaches. The sweetness of ripe peaches is really important for this recipe! Using peaches that aren’t ripe enough could result in a sour flavor.
Rest is best! Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing into it. This helps keep it nice and juicy!
Grill the chicken! We love grilling in the summertime and it’s a perfect option for this recipe. Grill the marinated chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, then follow the remaining steps in the recipe for the glaze.
Serving Suggestions
So many sides would work great with this peach and chicken recipe.
- Wild Rice
- Corn on the Cob
- Side Salad
- Collard Greens
- Green Beans
- German Cucumber Salad
- Black Eyed Peas
- Deviled Eggs
Storage Directions
Leftover jalapeno peach chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up tp 3 days.
Variations
Can a different fruit instead of peaches be used? Mango, pineapple, or apricot would all be suitable substitutes for this dish. Apricot preserves would make a really great sauce
FAQ
Yes, canned peach halves can work if fresh aren’t available. Just be sure to drain them well to avoid adding excess liquid to the dish and keep in mind that the texture will not be the same as when using fresh, ripe peaches.
When removing all the seeds from the jalapenos, you’re left with more of just the jalapeno flavor than its spice. If you are sensitive to heat, you can use one seeded jalapeno instead of 2.
Absolutely. I’m always a fan of “making do” with what you have on hand. But as with any substitution, it will change the recipe to some degree. You can substitute jalapenos with serrano peppers for more heat or use a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes in the sauce.
Yes, chicken thighs are a flavorful alternative and my husband actually prefers thighs over breasts.
More Chicken and Peach Recipes
Jalapeno Chicken with Peaches
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Spice up your dinner plans with this bold yet flavorful chicken recipe! It’s no secret that sweet and spicy are a great flavor combination. This jalapeno peach chicken is a fusion of savory, tender chicken, sweet and tangy ripe peaches, and the subtle heat of fresh jalapeno peppers. It’s perfect for those moments when you want something easy to prepare but with a bit of a gourmet feel—plus, it smells pretty amazing while cooking.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
- 2 fresh jalapenos, seeded and sliced
- 1/4 cup peach preserves
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1.5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons chicken broth
- Cilantro, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Place the chicken in a large bowl and toss to coat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Rub the seasoning mixture into the chicken until it is fully coated.
- Cover the bowl and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes – 2 hours.
- While the chicken is marinating, prepare the jalapeno peach sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the peach preserves, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, and soy sauce. Mix until combined, and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet to medium-high and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add in your marinated chicken. Cook for 5-6 minutes on one side, then reduce your heat to medium low and cook the other side for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Peel and slice your peaches, and seed and slice your jalapenos. In the same skillet used to cook the chicken, place your peach slices, jalapeno slices, and prepared jalapeno peach sauce. Let cook on medium-low heat for 7-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and the peaches are soft.
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Place your chicken back into the skillet with the sauce and let simmer on low heat for an additional 5-8 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken occasionally to allow the chicken to absorb all that flavor.
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Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve with remaining glaze drizzled on top of the chicken. Enjoy!
Notes
Remove the jalapeno seeds and ribs to tone down the heat. If you want to control the heat level, take a moment to remove all the seeds and the white ribs from the jalapenos before cooking. This small step can make the dish less spicy without losing any flavor.
Use a meat thermometer as a great way to ensure your chicken is cooked to the correct temperature and avoid overcooking or undercooking.
Perfect Peaches. The sweetness of ripe peaches is really important for this recipe! Using peaches that aren’t ripe enough could result in a sour flavor.
Rest is best! Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing into it. This helps keep it nice and juicy!
Grill the chicken! We love grilling in the summertime and it’s a perfect option for this recipe. Grill the marinated chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, then follow the remaining steps in the recipe for the glaze.
- Prep Time: 5
- Marinate Time: 30 mins – 2 hours
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: American
