Are you looking for the ultimate weeknight dinner that is unbelievably fast, ridiculously easy, and so packed with incredible sweet, spicy, and savory flavor that the whole family will be begging for seconds? This amazing, one-pan Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Chicken is your new go-to! Using just a handful of simple pantry staples, you can create a complete, satisfying, and family-friendly meal that is on the table in about 20 minutes.
This isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a guide to your new favorite “pantry power” meal. The secret lies in a brilliant and surprisingly delicious 2-ingredient sauce made from salsa and peach preserves! This simple combination creates a luscious, sticky glaze for tender, taco-seasoned chicken that is absolutely irresistible. It’s a fun, flavorful, and foolproof dish that will save you on your busiest nights.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate 5-Ingredient Dinner
What makes this Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Chicken so spectacularly delicious is its incredible ease of preparation and its addictive, perfectly balanced flavor profile. This recipe is a masterclass in smart shortcuts. The chicken is seasoned with a packet of taco seasoning, an all-in-one flavor booster that adds a savory and spicy kick with zero effort. The true magic, however, is the sauce: a simple combination of your favorite chunky salsa and sweet peach preserves. When simmered together in the skillet with the chicken, this unlikely duo transforms into a thick, glossy, and perfectly sweet and tangy glaze that is completely unforgettable.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 20 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 4 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Quick Skillet Meal
This recipe uses a handful of smart shortcuts and pantry staples to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The Chicken:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: A lean, healthy, and quick-cooking protein that is perfect for this dish. Cutting the chicken into uniform, 1/2-inch cubes is the key to ensuring it cooks quickly and evenly.
- The “Magic” 2-Ingredient Sauce: This is the secret to a complex, delicious sauce with zero extra work!
- Chunky Salsa: Using your favorite brand of jarred salsa is a brilliant shortcut that adds the flavor of tomatoes, onions, chiles, and spices all in one ingredient. You can use a mild, medium, or hot salsa to customize the heat level.
- Peach Preserves: This is the surprising secret ingredient that gives the sauce its wonderful, sweet, fruity flavor and helps it to thicken into a beautiful, sticky glaze.
- The Seasoning:
- Taco Seasoning: A standard packet of taco seasoning is a fantastic, all-in-one shortcut that provides a perfect, savory, and complex blend of spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder.
Step-by-Step to the Best Sweet and Spicy Chicken
This delicious, one-pan meal is incredibly simple to prepare. We’ve also included instructions for making this in a slow cooker or baking it in the oven!
Method 1: The Skillet Method (Fastest!)
Step 1: Place the 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning in a large shallow dish or a large, resealable bag. Add the 1 pound of cubed chicken and stir or shake to coat the chicken completely.
Step 2: In a large skillet, heat the 1 to 2 tablespoons of canola oil over medium-high heat.
Step 3: Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet. Brown the chicken until it is no longer pink on the outside.
Step 4: In a small bowl, combine the 1 2/3 cups of chunky salsa and the 1/2 cup of peach preserves. Stir this sauce mixture into the skillet with the chicken.
Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it is cooked all the way through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Serve the hot, saucy chicken immediately over a bed of fluffy, hot cooked rice.
Method 2: The Slow Cooker Method
Step 1: Place the raw, cubed chicken in your slow cooker and toss it with the taco seasoning.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix together the salsa and the peach preserves. Pour this mixture over the chicken.
Step 3: Stir everything together, cover the slow cooker, and cook on the Low setting for 4-5 hours or on the High setting for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
Method 3: The Baked Method
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2: Place the raw, cubed chicken in a large bowl and toss it with the taco seasoning and 1 tablespoon of oil.
Step 3: Spread the chicken in a single layer in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes.
Step 4: While the chicken is baking, mix together the salsa and the peach preserves. Pour this sauce over the partially cooked chicken and stir to combine.
Step 5: Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is hot and bubbly.
The Best Quick & Easy Sweet and Spicy Chicken (20-Minute Meal!)
An extremely quick and easy one-pan chicken dish with a sweet and spicy flavor profile. This recipe features cubed chicken breast coated in taco seasoning, which is then browned in a skillet. A simple, flavorful sauce is made by combining chunky salsa and peach preserves, which is then added to the skillet and simmered briefly with the chicken. The dish is served over hot cooked rice for a complete weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 to 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 2/3 cups chunky salsa
- 1/2 cup peach preserves
- Hot cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Place the taco seasoning in a large shallow dish. Add the cubed chicken and stir to coat.
- In a large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken and cook until it is browned and no longer pink.
- In a small bowl, combine the salsa and peach preserves. Stir this mixture into the skillet with the chicken.
- Bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is well blended.
- Serve the chicken and sauce with hot cooked rice.
Notes
- This is a very fast one-pan meal, perfect for a busy weeknight, that comes together in about 20 minutes.
- The recipe uses several convenient shortcuts, such as pre-made taco seasoning, jarred salsa, and preserves.
- The sweetness of the peach preserves balances the spiciness of the taco seasoning and salsa.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This is a fantastic meal-prep recipe for a week of delicious and easy lunches or dinners.
- Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive weeknight meal, you can get a head start by cubing your chicken and mixing together your sauce up to a day in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: This dish freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Protein: If you’re not a fan of chicken breasts, this delicious and versatile sauce is also absolutely fantastic with an equal amount of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, pork tenderloin, or even shrimp.
- Use a Different Preserve: For a different but equally delicious sweet and savory flavor, you can substitute the peach preserves with an equal amount of apricot preserves, orange marmalade, or even a spicy pepper jelly for an extra kick of heat.
- Add More Vegetables: To make this an even heartier and more wholesome meal, you can sauté about 1 to 2 cups of your favorite chopped vegetables, like bell peppers and onions, in the skillet before you add the chicken.
Enjoy The Ultimate Easy Weeknight Dinner!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of fun, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. This Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Chicken is a testament to the power of a few smart shortcuts to create a meal that is both incredibly fast and incredibly delicious. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new, much-requested family favorite for busy weeknights.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and comforting meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute best way to keep my chicken breasts from being dry and tough when I cook them in a skillet?
The number one secret is to not overcook them! Because we are cutting the chicken into small, 1/2-inch cubes, it will cook very, very quickly. As soon as the chicken is no longer pink on the outside, you can add your sauce and let it finish cooking for just a few minutes in the simmering liquid. This is a perfect way to keep it moist and tender.
Q2: Can I make this dish ahead of time for meal prep?
Yes, this is an absolutely perfect meal-prep recipe! You can prepare the entire dish and portion it out with your rice for a week of delicious and healthy lunches. It reheats beautifully in the microwave.
Q3: What kind of salsa is best for this recipe?
This recipe is wonderfully versatile! A chunky, medium-heat restaurant-style salsa is a fantastic choice that will provide a great texture and a balanced flavor. However, you could also use a salsa verde for a tangier, green-chile flavor, or a black bean and corn salsa for an even heartier dish.
Q4: Can I make this dish less spicy for my kids?
Of course! To make this dish completely mild and kid-friendly, simply use a mild taco seasoning and a mild salsa. Be sure to check the ingredients of your peach preserves, as some can have a hint of spice as well.
Q5: What else can I serve this chicken with besides rice?
This saucy chicken is incredibly versatile! It would be fantastic served over a bed of fluffy quinoa or couscous. You can also use it as a delicious and unique filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas.