Spicy Pepper Chicken

This Spicy Pepper Chicken is a hearty and tasty one-pot meal that the whole family will love. It’s made with tender chicken breasts, bell pepper and serrano pepper baked together in a spicy, flavorful tomato sauce. 

Add some heat to your dinner plate tonight with this Spicy Pepper Chicken recipe. 

I wasn’t sure what to call this recipe at first. Chicken fiesta? Mexican chicken? I settled on Spicy Pepper Chicken because that’s exactly what it is. It’s chicken baked with four different types of peppers in a spicy sauce.

And if that didn’t sound delicious enough, this recipe is so good for you too! I mean, you can’t go wrong with a ton of veggies, lean protein, and spices. 

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The chicken bakes in the perfectly spiced sauce to really give the flavors time to infuse into the meat. And the results are incredible!

Why You’ll Love this Spicy Pepper Chicken

• One pot recipe
• Protein and veggies
• So much flavor

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Chicken: You’ll need 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Alternatively, if you prefer chicken thighs, feel free to use those instead. Keep in mind that their cook time may be different.
• Chili Powder and Salt: A simple seasoning duo to spice up the chicken before cooking.
• Peppers: Our pepper blend consists of yellow pepper, red pepper, green pepper, and Serrano pepper for that spicy kick.
• Onion: I use yellow onion for this recipe.
• Tomato: We’re creating our tomato sauce with a can of diced tomatoes with juice and a little bit of tomato paste for flavor depth.
• Green Chilies: A can of chopped green chilies adds another layer of spicy flavor.
• Salsa: Mild, medium, or hot will work depending on your spice preferences.
• Garlic: I recommend mincing fresh garlic for the best flavor.
• Cumin: Adds a subtle earthy flavor to the sauce.
• Green Onions: For garnish!

How to Make Spicy Pepper Chicken

This one pan chicken dinner takes just 10 minutes to prep before it goes in the oven!

• Step One: Place the chicken breasts into a casserole dish, then season them all over with chili powder and salt.
• Step Two: Add the onion and pepper into the baking dish and spread them evenly all over the chicken.
• Step Three: In a mixing bowl, mix together the tomatoes with the liquid, tomato paste,
• green chilies, salsa, garlic, and cumin. Pour that mixture over the chicken breasts.
• Step Four: Cover the baking dish with foil, then bake at 375ºF for 1 hour or until the internal temperature is 165ºF. Serve topped with extra sauce and green onions.

Equipment Needed

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• Baking dish
• Mixing bowls
• Meat thermometer

What to Serve with Spicy Pepper Chicken

This delicious dinner is loaded with healthy veggies and lean protein. You can serve it on its own or round out your meal with a carb-y side dish. Here are a few ideas:

• Slow Cooker Garlic Potatoes
• White Rice or Brown Rice
• Cheesy Garlic Biscuits

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Chop using gloves. I very highly recommend using kitchen gloves when you chop the Serrano peppers. They are HOT!
• If you’re using your bare hands, do not touch your skin or eyes after chopping the peppers. Wash your hands very thoroughly immediately after and proceed with caution. You may want to wash your hands a couple of times to be safe.
• Cover the baking dish. Loosely covering the dish with foil as the chicken bakes helps prevent it from burning on the top.
• Check the temperature. To make sure your chicken is done, I recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure it has reached an internal temperature of 165ºF. I do this at the one hour mark, then add time as needed.

Variations and Substitutions

• Make it cheesy. This would be delicious topped with a layer of shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese!
• Lower the spice level. Simply skip the Serrano peppers!
• Use your slow cooker. Want to make this into a crockpot meal? Simply prepare it the exact same way, but cook in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours.

Storage Instructions

Leftover spicy pepper chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. 

To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm either in a covered dish in the oven or on low on the stove until the chicken is heated through.

Is It Better to Cook Chicken at 375ºF or 400ºF?

I prefer to cook the chicken at 375ºF for this recipe. It’s the perfect temperature for heating the sauce and the chicken all the way through without over-cooking it! 

How Long is Chicken Supposed to Bake?

I bake the chicken breast in the sauce starting at 1 hour. From there, I like to check the internal temperature, then add time only until it reaches 165ºF!

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

• Hawaiian Chicken
• Sticky Chicken
• Roasted Red Pepper Chicken
• Copycat Panda Express Mushroom Chicken
• Peach Chicken
• Chicken a la King
• Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs

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