Bring the heat! Here are the Best Spicy Chicken Recipes to fire up your taste buds. From Kung Pao Chicken to Buffalo Wings!
Whether you're a fan of tongue-tingling heat or just like a little kick to wake up your weeknight dinner routine, spicy chicken is always a crowd pleaser.
In this post, we're diving into a roundup of the best spicy chicken recipes out there. From classic buffalo wings that belong at every game-day spread to fiery grilled chicken that's perfect for summer cookouts, we've got a variety of dishes that prove spice is anything but one-note.
Some recipes bring the slow burn of smoky chipotle, others the bright punch of fresh chili peppers, and a few dare to go full-blown inferno with ghost pepper or habanero.
No matter your preferred spice level, there's something here to satisfy your cravings-and maybe even test your limits.
Jump to:
Spicy Chicken Recipes in Global Cuisines
Let's take a quick tour of some global cuisines where spicy chicken dishes reign supreme. From Asia to the Americas, there's no shortage of mouthwatering options.
- American Cuisine: Try Buffalo Chicken Wings, drenched in fiery buffalo sauce made from a combination of hot sauce and butter. And also Nashville Hot Chicken, featuring crispy fried chicken coated in a fiery cayenne-infused glaze.
- Indian Cuisine: Indian cuisine is renowned for its use of spices, and chicken is no exception. Dishes like Chicken Phaal Curry, Chicken Vindaloo, and Kolhapuri Chicken are bursting with flavor - and hot spices.
- Mexican Cuisine: You need to try spicy chicken recipes like Chicken Enchiladas, Pollo a la Diabla, and Chicken Tinga Tacos. These dishes often incorporate smoky chipotle peppers, jalapeños, and cayenne.
- Sichuan Cuisine (China): Sichuan cuisine is famous for its mouth-numbing spice. Dishes like Sichuan Spicy Chicken (La Zi Ji) rely on Sichuan peppercorns and fiery red chili peppers for heat.
- Thai Cuisine: You'll love Thai cuisine's harmonious blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Try Thai Red Curry Chicken, Green Curry Chicken, and Spicy Basil Chicken (Pad Krapow Gai)
- Korean Cuisine: At the heart of Korean cuisine's spiciness is gochugaru, red pepper flakes, and gochujang, a fermented chili paste. Try Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) with chicken coated in a fiery sauce.
- Caribbean Cuisine: Try Jamaican Jerk Chicken, marinated in a fiery blend of Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and thyme. Also popular is Trinidadian Roti with spicy curry chicken.
- African Cuisine: From Ethiopian Doro Wat to Senegalese Chicken Yassa, there are plenty of hot and spicy recipes from African countries.
The Hottest Peppers
Here's a list of some of the hottest peppers and spices in the world. It's ranked by their Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This measures the spiciness or pungency of a chili pepper or spicy ingredient:
- Carolina Reaper (2,200,000 to 2,480,000 SHU). The Carolina Reaper currently holds the Guinness World Record for being the world's hottest chili pepper. It's a crossbreed between a Pakistani Naga pepper and a Red Habanero.
- Trinidad Moruga Scorpion (1,200,000 to 2,009,231 SHU). Native to Trinidad and Tobago, this pepper held the title of world's hottest pepper before the Carolina Reaper took over.
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) (855,000 to 1,041,427 SHU). Hailing from India, the Ghost Pepper was once the world's hottest chili and is still known for its intense spiciness.
- 7 Pot Douglah (800,000 to 1,853,936 SHU). This pepper is native to Trinidad and is revered for its heat and rich flavor.
- Scotch Bonnet Pepper (100,000 to 350,000 SHU). Commonly used in Caribbean cuisine, Scotch Bonnets are known for their fruity and fiery heat.
- Habanero Pepper (100,000 to 350,000 SHU). These peppers are popular in Mexican and Caribbean cuisine and offer a searing heat along with a fruity flavor. Try Xnipec Habanero Salsa.
- Thai Bird's Eye Chili (50,000 to 100,000 SHU). Widely used in Thai cuisine, these tiny chilies pack a punch and are known for their sharp heat.
- Serrano Pepper (10,000 to 23,000 SHU). Serrano peppers are often used in Mexican dishes and provide a moderate level of spiciness with a bright, crisp flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper (30,000 to 50,000 SHU). Cayenne pepper is commonly used as a spice and is known for its balanced heat and earthy flavor.
- Black Pepper (Various, typically around 1,000 to 1,500 SHU). While not as hot as chili peppers, black pepper is a common spice known for its sharp and pungent flavor.
Recipes
Spicy Chicken Recipes
You'll love this simple Korean Oven Baked Chicken and Rice, featuring juicy gochujang-marinated chicken breasts and seasoned savory rice, all baked in one dish.
Korean Chicken Wings are baked until crispy, then tossed in a sticky, spicy gochujang sauce that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Quick, easy and full of bold flavors!
Craving Panda Express' Kung Pao Chicken? Whip it up at home in just 30 minutes with this simple copycat recipe, featuring succulent chicken, bell peppers, peanuts, and that signature sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce.
Tender, flavorful chicken thighs luxuriate in a decadent, intensely spiced gravy, making this simple chicken rogan josh recipe a dish you'll crave over and over. The best part? It comes together in just 30 minutes, so you can enjoy it in no time.
Korean Gochujang Chicken is a quick and easy dinner with a big, bold flavor. You'll love the crispy yet tender chicken in a sticky gochujang sauce. Ready in 15 minutes.
This crispy Sweet Chili Chicken is full of bold Asian flavors, and comes together in just 20 minutes! Tender strips of chicken are coated and pan-fried, then served in a sticky soy sweet chili sauce. Serve with rice and veggies for a full meal.
This crispy Buffalo Chicken Bites recipe is easy to make and tastes incredible. With its crispy exterior, juicy chicken, and spicy buffalo sauce, these bites are the perfect combination of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more. Serve as an appetizer, snack or main course with your favorite sides. Methods are given to pan fry, oven bake or air fry.
In this delicious Tajin Chicken recipe, chicken breasts are generously coated with Tajin lime and chili seasoning before being pan-fried, resulting in a zesty, spicy, and citrus-infused chicken that pairs wonderfully with rice, fajitas, or side dishes!
This Jamaican Jerk Chicken recipe is a tribute to all the spice enthusiasts out there. It's marinated in a fantastic blend of ingredients, delivering an explosion of flavors that can be tailored to your preferred level of spiciness.
An easy Thai curry made with shop-bought red curry paste, chicken and coconut milk. Ready in just 35 minutes.
Buffalo Bacon Wrapped Chicken Wings are packed full of bold flavors, plus they're easy to make!
Honey Sriracha Wings are a tasty game day appetizer, party food or just for a tasty dinner! Sweet, spicy chicken wings that are out of this world good!
Cajun Chicken Wings are a tasty Wingstop copycat recipe that's full of flavor but are super simple to make!
Crafting your very own Louisiana Rub Wingstop Chicken Wings at home is a breeze! This uncomplicated, savory dry wing seasoning imparts just the right amount of kick, making these chicken wings an ideal addition to your game day or Super Bowl party this wing season.
Crispy, spicy Nashville chicken tenders are full of big flavors! Perfect in a sandwich.
Elevate your chicken burgers with a spicy twist using these Spicy Mala Chicken Burgers. Crispy fried chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices and topped with a fiery Sichuan chili oil kick, making them a flavorful and exciting choice.
Indulge in the finest Korean Fried Chicken, featuring crispy buttermilk-fried chicken drenched in a flavorful and easy-to-make gochujang sauce. Pair it with rice or noodles for a delectable meal.
Ditch the takeout and whip up this delightful homemade General Tso's chicken! You'll be smitten with the sweet and spicy sauce drizzled over the crispy, succulent chicken. It's a genuinely restaurant-style dish!
Comments
No Comments