The Ultimate Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken Recipe: Your Sweet & Spicy Summertime Go-To!

Hello, WiseRecipes readers and fellow adventurers in flavor! Are you ready to try a chicken dish that’s playful, bright, and an absolutely irresistible dance of sweet and spicy? Then you are going to fall head over heels for my Ultimate Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe! This is where seasoned chicken breast gets pan-seared until golden brown, smothered in a strawberry chipotle sauce, and topped with fresh strawberry-jalapeño salsa to create this playful, bright dish.

Imagine tender, juicy chicken, perfectly cooked with a beautiful golden crust. Now, picture it generously topped with a vibrant, fresh salsa bursting with sweet strawberries and a kick of jalapeño, all brought together by a uniquely savory and slightly smoky strawberry chipotle sauce. Sweet-and-spicy lovers, this is bound to become your summertime go-to. This easy sweet and spicy chicken with strawberry salsa is a true showstopper.

My journey to creating this Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe was all about capturing that exciting balance of flavors that makes a dish truly memorable. It’s the best pan seared chicken breast with strawberry chipotle sauce that feels both innovative and incredibly satisfying. We’ll explore how to make flavorful strawberry jalapeño chicken dinner that will have everyone talking.

So, if you’re looking for a quick summer chicken recipe with fruit salsa that’s as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat, let’s get our skillets ready for this amazing Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe!

Why This Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken Will Be Your New Obsession

If “playful, bright dish” isn’t enough, here’s why this Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe is simply irresistible:

• Unique Sweet & Spicy Flavor Profile: The combination of sweet strawberries, spicy jalapeño, smoky chipotle, and savory chicken is truly exceptional. This is the heart of our Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe.
• Vibrant & Fresh: The fresh strawberry-jalapeño salsa adds an incredible burst of color, freshness, and texture.
• Tender & Juicy Chicken: Perfectly pan-seared chicken breasts provide a delicious canvas for the bold toppings.
• Surprisingly Easy to Make: While it looks and tastes gourmet, this easy sweet and spicy chicken with strawberry salsa is straightforward to prepare.
• Perfect for Summer: The bright, fruity, and spicy notes make it an ideal dish for warmer weather.
• Visually Stunning: This dish is a feast for the eyes with its beautiful colors and appealing textures.
• Crowd-Pleasing Wow Factor: Guaranteed to impress guests or make any weeknight dinner feel special.

Gather Your Sweet & Spicy Essentials: Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s get our vibrant and flavorful components ready for this delightful Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe.

For the Seasoned Chicken Breasts:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: 2 large (about 1-1.5 lbs total), pounded to an even ½-inch thickness if very thick.
• Olive Oil: 1-2 tablespoons.
• Salt: ½ teaspoon.
• Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon.
• Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon.
• Onion Powder: ¼ teaspoon.
• Smoked Paprika (Optional): ¼ teaspoon.

For the Strawberry Chipotle Sauce:

• Fresh Strawberries: ½ cup, hulled and roughly chopped (or use strawberry preserves for a quicker version, adjusting sweetness).
• Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: 1-2 teaspoons minced chipotle pepper + 1 teaspoon adobo sauce (adjust to your spice preference).
• Red Onion or Shallot: ¼ cup, finely chopped.
• Garlic: 1-2 cloves, minced.
• Balsamic Vinegar (or Apple Cider Vinegar): 1 tablespoon.
• Honey or Brown Sugar (Optional): 1-2 teaspoons, to balance flavors if strawberries are tart.
• Chicken Broth or Water: 2-4 tablespoons, if needed to thin.

For the Fresh Strawberry-Jalapeño Salsa:

• Fresh Strawberries: 1 cup, hulled and finely diced.
• Jalapeño Pepper: 1 small, finely minced (seeds and ribs removed for less heat, leave some in for more heat).
• Red Onion: ¼ cup, very finely diced (soak in cold water for 10 mins to mellow, optional).
• Fresh Cilantro: ¼ cup, chopped.
• Lime Juice: 1-2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed.
• Salt: Pinch, to taste.

Crafting Your Sweet & Spicy Masterpiece: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s create this exciting Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe!

Step 1: Prepare the Fresh Strawberry-Jalapeño Salsa

1. Combine Salsa Ingredients: In a small to medium bowl, gently combine the 1 cup finely diced fresh strawberries, finely minced jalapeño, finely diced red onion (if using), ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1-2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice.
2. Season & Chill: Season with a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This salsa is a key component of your Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe.

Step 2: Season and Cook the Chicken Breasts

1. Prep Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If they are very thick, you can pound them to an even ½-inch thickness for quicker, more even cooking.
2. Season Chicken: Rub the chicken breasts on all sides with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. In a small bowl, combine ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional smoked paprika. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken.
3. Pan-Sear Chicken: Heat a large skillet (cast iron is great) over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet.
   Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, without moving them too much initially to get a good golden-brown sear. The chicken is done when it’s golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C).
4. Rest Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a clean cutting board. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This makes for the best pan seared chicken breast with strawberry chipotle sauce.

Step 3: Make the Strawberry Chipotle Sauce (While Chicken Rests)

1. Sauté Aromatics: To the same skillet the chicken was cooked in (do not wipe it out, those browned bits are flavor!), reduce heat to medium. If needed, add a teaspoon more olive oil. Add the ¼ cup finely chopped red onion or shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the 1-2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Build Sauce: Stir in the ½ cup chopped fresh strawberries (or preserves), minced chipotle pepper, and adobo sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring and lightly mashing the strawberries as they soften.
3. Deglaze & Simmer: Stir in the balsamic or apple cider vinegar and optional honey/brown sugar. If the sauce seems too thick, add 2-4 tablespoons of chicken broth or water to reach a nice saucy consistency. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. This creates the delicious base for your Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve Your Playful, Bright Dish!

1. Slice Chicken: Once the chicken has rested, slice it against the grain into ½-inch thick slices.
2. Plate the Chicken: Arrange the sliced chicken breasts on serving plates.
3. Smother & Top: Generously spoon the warm Strawberry Chipotle Sauce over the sliced chicken. Then, top everything with a good helping of the fresh Strawberry-Jalapeño Salsa.
4. Garnish & Enjoy: Garnish with a little extra fresh cilantro if desired. Serve your amazing Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe immediately! This how to make flavorful strawberry jalapeño chicken dinner guide ensures success.

Wise Tips for the Best Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken

Make your Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe truly exceptional with these hints:

• Balance Sweet & Spicy: Taste your strawberries and jalapeños! Adjust the amount of honey/sugar in the sauce and the amount of jalapeño (and whether you include seeds) in the salsa to achieve your perfect balance.
• Don’t Overcook Chicken: Chicken breast cooks quickly, especially when pounded thin. Use a meat thermometer (165°F/74°C) for perfectly juicy results.
• Fresh Strawberries are Key: For both the sauce (if using fresh) and the salsa, ripe, sweet strawberries will provide the best flavor.
• Mellow Red Onion: Soaking thinly sliced red onion in cold water for 10-15 minutes before adding to the salsa tames its sharp bite.
• Rest Your Chicken: This is crucial for juicy, tender chicken in your Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe.
• Chipotle in Adobo is Potent: A little goes a long way! Start with less and add more to the sauce if you want more smoky heat.
• Salsa Freshness: The fresh salsa is best made shortly before serving for the most vibrant flavors and textures.

Delicious Variations & Serving Ideas

This Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe is wonderfully adaptable:

• Grilled Chicken Version: Grill the seasoned chicken breasts instead of pan-searing for a smokier flavor. This makes for a great healthy grilled or pan fried chicken with strawberry topping.
• Pork Tenderloin or Chops: This sauce and salsa would also be fantastic with grilled or pan-seared pork tenderloin medallions or thin-cut pork chops.
• Add Avocado to Salsa: Dice some creamy avocado and gently fold it into the strawberry-jalapeño salsa for extra richness.
• Different Berries in Salsa: Try a mixed berry salsa with raspberries or blackberries.
• Make it a Bowl: Serve the sliced Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken over a bed of quinoa, rice, or even a cauliflower rice for a quick summer chicken recipe with fruit salsa bowl.
• Serve with Sides: Great with cilantro-lime rice, black beans, grilled corn on the cob, or a simple green salad.

Storing & Reheating Your Sweet & Spicy Creation

Enjoying leftovers of your Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe:

• Storage: Store leftover cooked chicken and any leftover strawberry chipotle sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the fresh strawberry-jalapeño salsa separately and try to use it within 1-2 days for best freshness.
• Reheating Chicken & Sauce: Reheat chicken gently in a skillet with a little of the sauce, or in the microwave, until warmed through. Be careful not to overcook.
• Salsa: The fresh salsa is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored. It may become juicier over time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken Recipe

Your common questions about this unique and flavorful dish:

1. Is this Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe very spicy?
   The spice level is customizable! It depends on how much jalapeño (and its seeds/ribs) you use in the fresh salsa, and how much chipotle pepper and adobo sauce you use in the cooked sauce. You can easily adjust both to be mild, medium, or quite spicy.
2. Can I use frozen strawberries for the sauce or salsa?
   For the cooked Strawberry Chipotle Sauce, you could use thawed, drained frozen strawberries, though fresh will have a brighter flavor. For the fresh Strawberry-Jalapeño Salsa, fresh strawberries are highly recommended for the best texture and taste. Frozen strawberries will become very soft and watery upon thawing.
3. What if I can’t find chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?
   You can substitute with a ½ – 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for smokiness and a pinch or two of cayenne pepper for heat in the cooked sauce. The flavor will be different but still delicious.
4. How do I prevent my chicken breasts from drying out?
   Pounding them to an even thickness, not overcooking them (use a meat thermometer – 165°F/74°C), and letting them rest after cooking are key to juicy chicken breasts in this Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe.
5. What are some good side dishes for Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken?
   Cilantro-lime rice, black beans, grilled or roasted asparagus, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette, or even some warm tortillas would all be fantastic pairings.

This Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe is a true celebration of bold, bright, and exciting flavors – a playful, bright dish that’s guaranteed to liven up your dinner table. It’s an easy sweet and spicy chicken with strawberry salsa that proves sophisticated flavors can be incredibly simple to achieve. This is the best pan seared chicken breast with strawberry chipotle sauce that will become your new summertime go-to!I am so excited for you to try this recipe and experience its unique and delicious taste! If you make this Strawberry Jalapeño Chicken recipe, please come back and share your flavorful adventure in the comments below! Did you adjust the spice level? What did you serve it with? Happy cooking!