Flavorful & Easy Kickin Chicken Recipe – Perfect for Weeknights

Here’s Why You’ll Love This Kickin Chicken Recipe

Hey there, friend! Feeling like your weeknight dinners need a little… well, *kick*? You’re in the right place! This Kickin Chicken recipe is about to become your new best friend. We’re talking seriously delicious, packed with flavor, and SO simple to make, even on those crazy busy evenings.

Imagine juicy, tender chicken coated in a vibrant, slightly spicy, and utterly irresistible sauce. This isn’t just another chicken dish; it’s a flavor explosion that’s ready in under an hour, from prep to plate. Ready to bring some excitement to your dinner table without any stress? Let’s get cooking!

Printable Recipe Card: Your Easy Kickin Chicken Guide!

Flavorful & Easy Kickin Chicken Recipe – Perfect for Weeknights

This Kickin Chicken recipe is incredibly flavorful and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy chicken thighs are coated in a vibrant, slightly spicy, and irresistible sauce, ready in under an hour. Serve over rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes for a complete and satisfying meal.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Large Skillet 12-inch skillet
• 2 Mixing Bowls Small and medium size
• 1 Whisk For sauce and slurry

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 red bell pepper chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium recommended
• 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper adjust to taste
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• to taste Salt
• to taste Black pepper
• optional Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions

 

• Start by patting your chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps them brown beautifully when we cook them. Season generously with salt and pepper. Tip: Don’t skip patting the chicken dry – it’s a simple step that makes a big difference in texture!
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Then, stir in minced garlic and chopped bell pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the pepper is slightly tender and the garlic is fragrant. Technique Tip: Cooking the aromatics first builds a flavorful base for our sauce.
• Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the seasoned chicken pieces. Cook in a single layer, if possible, browning on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Don’t worry about cooking the chicken all the way through at this point, we’ll finish it in the sauce. Safety First: Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be safely cooked.
• In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Flavor Hack: Taste the sauce at this stage and adjust the cayenne pepper to your spice preference.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. In another small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth to create a slurry. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through. Pro Tip: Simmering allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the sauce to reach the perfect consistency.
• Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce is thickened, remove from heat. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot and get ready to enjoy every flavorful bite! Serving Suggestion: This Kickin Chicken is fantastic served over rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious sauce.

Notes

• Chicken Thighs: Don’t have thighs? No problem! You can easily substitute with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces and be mindful not to overcook them, as breasts tend to dry out faster than thighs.
• Bell Pepper: Feel free to swap red bell pepper for any color you have on hand – green, yellow, or orange all work wonderfully. For a different flavor profile, try adding sliced mushrooms or zucchini along with the peppers.
• Soy Sauce: If you’re watching your sodium intake or prefer a gluten-free option, coconut aminos are a fantastic substitute for soy sauce. They offer a similar savory depth with a touch of sweetness.

Keyword chicken recipe, easy chicken, kickin chicken, quick chicken recipe, spicy chicken, weeknight dinner

Let’s Gather Our Ingredients for This Kickin Chicken

Full Ingredient List

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Smart Ingredient Swaps and Easy Substitutions

• Chicken Thighs: Don’t have thighs? No problem! You can easily substitute with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces and be mindful not to overcook them, as breasts tend to dry out faster than thighs.
• Bell Pepper: Feel free to swap red bell pepper for any color you have on hand – green, yellow, or orange all work wonderfully. For a different flavor profile, try adding sliced mushrooms or zucchini along with the peppers.
• Soy Sauce: If you’re watching your sodium intake or prefer a gluten-free option, coconut aminos are a fantastic substitute for soy sauce. They offer a similar savory depth with a touch of sweetness.

Budget-Friendly Tips and Finding Ingredients

• Buy Chicken in Bulk: Chicken is often cheaper when bought in larger quantities. Purchase a family pack of chicken thighs and freeze any portions you won’t use immediately. This is a great way to save money and always have chicken on hand.
• Seasonal Peppers: Bell peppers can sometimes be pricey out of season. Check for sales on frozen bell peppers, which are just as nutritious and flavorful and can be added directly to the pan.
• Pantry Staples: Many of the spices and sauces in this recipe are pantry staples. Building up a well-stocked pantry over time can significantly reduce your grocery bill and make weeknight cooking a breeze.

Time to Cook! Your Step-by-Step Guide for Kickin Chicken

1. Prep the Chicken: Start by patting your chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps them brown beautifully when we cook them. Season generously with salt and pepper. Tip: Don’t skip patting the chicken dry – it’s a simple step that makes a big difference in texture!
2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Then, stir in minced garlic and chopped bell pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the pepper is slightly tender and the garlic is fragrant. Technique Tip: Cooking the aromatics first builds a flavorful base for our sauce.
3. Brown the Chicken: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the seasoned chicken pieces. Cook in a single layer, if possible, browning on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Don’t worry about cooking the chicken all the way through at this point, we’ll finish it in the sauce. Safety First: Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be safely cooked.
4. Whisk the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Flavor Hack: Taste the sauce at this stage and adjust the cayenne pepper to your spice preference.
5. Simmer and Thicken: Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. In another small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth to create a slurry. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through. Pro Tip: Simmering allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the sauce to reach the perfect consistency.
6. Garnish and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce is thickened, remove from heat. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot and get ready to enjoy every flavorful bite! Serving Suggestion: This Kickin Chicken is fantastic served over rice, quinoa, or mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious sauce.

Our Best Tips & Tricks for a Perfect Kickin Chicken

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When browning the chicken, work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Overcrowding can steam the chicken instead of browning it properly, and we want that beautiful color and flavor!
• Adjust the Spice Level: “Kickin” is all about flavor, but you control the heat! Start with ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and add more to taste if you like it extra spicy. For a milder version, reduce or omit the cayenne altogether.
• Fresh Garlic and Onion: While garlic and onion powder are in the sauce, using fresh garlic and onion for sautéing adds a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. It’s worth the extra minute of chopping!
• Let it Simmer: Don’t rush the simmering process. Allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken properly is key to achieving that rich, glossy, and flavorful coating on your chicken.
• Taste and Adjust: Seasoning is personal! Always taste the sauce before adding the cornstarch slurry and adjust salt, pepper, or spice levels to your liking. Cooking is all about making it your own!

What to Serve with Your Delicious Kickin Chicken: Perfect Pairings

This Kickin Chicken is so versatile, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides! Here are a few friendly suggestions to create a complete and satisfying meal:

• Classic Comfort: Serve it over fluffy white rice, brown rice, or quinoa to soak up every last drop of that amazing sauce. Mashed potatoes or creamy polenta are also fantastic choices for a cozy, comforting meal.
• Veggie Boost: Add some vibrant greens to your plate! Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette provide a refreshing contrast to the rich chicken.
• Bread for Dipping: Don’t forget some crusty bread or dinner rolls to mop up any leftover sauce. Trust us, you won’t want to waste a single bit!
• Spice It Up or Cool It Down: For those who love extra heat, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce on the side is perfect. If you prefer to cool things down, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt can add a creamy, refreshing element.

How to Store and Reheat Your Delicious Kickin Chicken

Lucky you, if there are any leftovers of this Kickin Chicken, they store and reheat beautifully! Here’s how to keep it tasting its best:

• Storing: Allow the Kickin Chicken to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cooling it down before refrigerating helps prevent condensation, which can make your chicken and sauce watery.
• Reheating on the Stovetop: For the best results, reheat the chicken on the stovetop. Place the leftover chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce seems too thick. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is warmed. This method helps maintain the chicken’s moisture and the sauce’s consistency.
• Microwave Reheating (Quick Method): If you’re short on time, the microwave works too! Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely. Reheat in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Be careful not to overheat, as chicken can become dry in the microwave.

Your Kickin Chicken FAQ: Simple Answers for Confident Cooking

• Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
  

  A: Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well too. Just be mindful that they cook a bit faster and can dry out more easily than thighs. Reduce cooking time if needed and ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

  
  
• Q: How can I make this recipe less spicy?
  

  A: Easy peasy! Reduce or completely omit the cayenne pepper. You’ll still get tons of flavor from the other spices and ingredients.

  
  
• Q: Can I add more vegetables?
  

  A: Definitely! Feel free to add other veggies like broccoli florets, sliced carrots, snow peas, or snap peas to the skillet along with the bell peppers. Just adjust cooking time as needed to ensure they are tender-crisp.

  
  
• Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
  

  A: Yes! This Kickin Chicken is great for meal prepping. You can cook it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. In fact, the flavors often meld together even more beautifully overnight!

  
  
• Q: What if my sauce is too thick or too thin?
  

  A: If your sauce is too thick, simply stir in a little more chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes without the lid to allow it to reduce and thicken up.

  
  

Time to Savor Your Delicious Kickin Chicken and Share the Joy

Congratulations, you’ve just created a seriously Flavorful & Easy Kickin Chicken that’s perfect for any weeknight! It’s simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to bring smiles to your dinner table.

Now it’s your turn! Give this recipe a try, and don’t forget to share your culinary adventures with our community. Rate this recipe below, snap a picture of your delicious Kickin Chicken, and tag us on social media! We can’t wait to see your creations and cheer you on. Happy cooking! Join our friendly community on Instagram and Pinterest for more easy and delicious recipes!