1-Gathering and Preparing Ingredients: First things first, get everything ready to make this Spicy Jalapeno Chicken Dinner a breeze. Start by tossing your 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into three pieces each, with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper in a bowl. This simple step seasons the meat and sets the base for great flavor. Once that’s done, add 1/4 cup cornstarch to coat the chicken evenly, which gives it that light crisp we all love.

2-Gathering and Preparing Ingredients: Next, in another bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar, and 4 minced garlic cloves. This mixture will turn into a sauce that’s sticky and delicious. Slice your 2 large jalapenos into 1/4-inch pieces, deciding whether to keep the seeds for extra heat or not it’s that easy to customize!

3-Cooking the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot until it reaches 315°F, filling it about 4 inches deep for frying. Fry the chicken in batches to avoid crowding, cooking each piece for 5-6 minutes and turning halfway for even crispiness. Oh, and don’t skip this step it’s what makes the chicken so addictive!

4-Cooking the Chicken: After the first fry, remove the chicken and crank up the oil to 350°F. Pop the chicken back in for a second fry, just 3-4 minutes, to amp up that crunch. Drain it well afterward to keep it from getting soggy. Then, in a large skillet, bring your sauce mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, add the fried chicken and jalapenos, and toss until the sauce thickens and everything coats nicely.

5-Finishing Touches: Once everything is mixed, transfer to a plate and garnish as you like maybe some fresh herbs for a pop of color. The whole process takes about 10 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook, making it ready in just 35 minutes for 6 servings. For a fun twist, try using an air fryer with adjusted time and flipping, as it cuts down on oil while keeping things crispy.