There’s something magical about pairing the sweetness of peaches with the gentle heat of jalapeños. This Jalapeño Peach Chicken recipe is one of those dishes that feels fancy enough for a dinner party yet simple enough for a weeknight meal. It’s juicy, flavorful, and packed with the perfect blend of sweet and spicy.

Let me tell you—this dish is a game-changer. Imagine tender, well-seasoned chicken thighs, caramelized peaches, and a vibrant glaze that’s bursting with flavor. It’s a recipe that will make everyone at the table reach for seconds, guaranteed.

I first tried a version of this recipe at a friend’s house, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it afterward. Since then, I’ve tweaked and refined it into a dish that’s now a family favorite. Whenever peaches are in season, you better believe this is on the menu!

Why You’ll Love This Jalapeño Peach Chicken

Perfect balance of flavors: Sweet, tangy, and spicy come together in harmony.
Quick and easy to make: Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy nights.
Uses fresh, seasonal ingredients: This recipe highlights the natural sweetness of ripe peaches and the zing of fresh jalapeños.
Customizable: Adjust the spice level or try different variations to suit your taste.
Crowd-pleaser: It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but is secretly easy to whip up.

The star of the show here is the peach glaze. It’s a glorious mix of peach preserves, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and a touch of red pepper flakes for that spicy kick. Paired with juicy chicken thighs, it’s the kind of sauce you’ll want to drizzle over everything.

Preparation Time and Servings

Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Calories: Approximately 280 per serving

Ingredients for Jalapeño Peach Chicken

Here’s what you’ll need to make this sweet-and-spicy masterpiece:

The Peaches:

2 yellow peaches: Pitted and sliced. Fresh peaches are best for their natural sweetness.

The Peach Glaze:

½ cup (160 g) peach preserves: Adds sweetness and acts as the base of the glaze.
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil: Helps the glaze come together smoothly.
1 teaspoon soy sauce: Adds a hint of savory umami.
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a little tang.
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard: Gives the glaze a mild, zesty flavor.
½ teaspoon garlic, minced: For a subtle savory note.
½ teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors in the glaze.
⅛ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a mild spice.
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes: Optional, but great for a touch of heat.

The Chicken:

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Juicy and flavorful, perfect for this recipe.
1 teaspoon kosher salt: To season the chicken.
½ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a little kick.
½ teaspoon chili powder: For a smoky flavor.
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil: For cooking the chicken.
1 medium jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced: Brings a spicy contrast to the sweet peaches.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Peach Glaze

Start by preparing the glaze. In a medium bowl, combine the following ingredients: peach preserves, olive oil, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix everything until well incorporated, then set it aside. This glaze is the heart of the dish, so don’t skip this step!

2. Prep the Chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and ensures the chicken develops a nice sear.

In a small bowl, mix the kosher salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs.

3. Sear the Chicken

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken thighs in the skillet in a single layer. (If your skillet isn’t big enough, work in batches to avoid overcrowding.)

Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes on one side, then flip it over. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover it loosely with foil to keep warm.

4. Cook the Jalapeños and Peaches

Using the same skillet, increase the heat back to medium and add the sliced jalapeños. Sauté them for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and release their aroma.

Next, add the sliced peaches to the skillet. Cook the peaches with the jalapeños for another 3 minutes, or until the peaches are soft and slightly caramelized.

5. Add the Glaze

Pour the prepared peach glaze into the skillet with the jalapeños and peaches. Stir well to coat everything evenly. The smell at this point will be absolutely mouthwatering!

6. Combine the Chicken and Glaze

Return the cooked chicken thighs to the skillet. Spoon the glaze over the top of the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Let everything simmer together for 1-2 minutes, just long enough to reheat the chicken and allow the flavors to meld.

How to Serve Jalapeño Peach Chicken

This dish is versatile and pairs beautifully with various sides. Here are some serving suggestions:

Serve over a bed of fluffy white rice or quinoa to soak up all that delicious glaze.
Pair with roasted vegetables, like asparagus or broccoli, for a balanced meal.
Add a side of garlic bread for a satisfying comfort-food combo.

If you’re hosting, garnish the dish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for a pop of color and freshness.

Tips for Success

Don’t skip the seasoning: Properly seasoning the chicken is key to its flavor.
Use ripe peaches: The sweetness of ripe peaches is essential for balancing the spice of the jalapeños.
Adjust the heat: If you prefer a milder dish, remove the seeds from the jalapeños or use fewer slices. For extra heat, add more red pepper flakes.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet: Cooking the chicken in batches ensures it sears properly instead of steaming.
Keep the glaze consistency in check: If the glaze seems too thick, add a splash of water to thin it out.

Recipe Variations

Vegetarian Option: Swap the chicken thighs for tofu or a mix of roasted vegetables.
Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Extra Heat: Add more jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne to the glaze.
Herbaceous Twist: Add a handful of chopped fresh basil or thyme to the skillet before serving.

Storage and Reheating

Got leftovers? No problem!

Refrigerate: Store the chicken and glaze in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the glaze.
Freeze: You can freeze the cooked chicken (without the peaches) for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.

FAQ

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but thighs tend to stay juicier. If using breasts, adjust the cooking time as they may cook faster.

What if peaches aren’t in season?
You can use frozen peaches or even canned peaches (drained) as a substitute.

Is this dish very spicy?
It has a mild to medium heat level. For a spicier dish, leave the jalapeño seeds in.

Can I grill the chicken instead?
Absolutely! Grilled chicken adds a smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the peach glaze.

Conclusion

Jalapeño Peach Chicken is a dish that hits all the right notes—sweet, spicy, tangy, and savory. It’s an easy recipe that looks impressive on the plate, making it perfect for both family dinners and entertaining guests.

Give it a try, and don’t forget to let me know how it turned out! Snap a photo and share it on social media—I’d love to see your creations. Enjoy!

Jalapeño Peach Chicken: Sweet, Spicy, and Absolutely Delicious

Author: TAYLOR HARRISON
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Jalapeño Peach Chicken is a mouthwatering blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. Juicy chicken thighs are coated in a peach glaze and served with caramelized peaches and jalapeños for the perfect weeknight dinner or entertaining dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Peaches: 2 yellow peaches, pitted and sliced.
Peach Glaze:
- ½ cup (160 g) peach preserves
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp red pepper flakes
Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced

Instructions

Prepare the peach glaze by mixing all glaze ingredients in a bowl.
Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and chili powder.
Sear the chicken in a skillet with olive oil until cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
Sauté jalapeños in the same skillet for 3 minutes, then add peaches. Cook until softened.
Pour the peach glaze into the skillet and coat peaches and jalapeños.
Return chicken to the skillet, spoon glaze over the top, and simmer for 1-2 minutes.

Notes

For a milder spice level, remove jalapeño seeds.
Ripe peaches work best for natural sweetness.
Serve with rice or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: American