19 Spicy Chicken Recipes That Are Better Than Takeout (2024)

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

When it comes to spicy chicken, you might automatically think buffalo chicken. Instead of wings, we've infused the tangy hot sauce into a spicy chicken sandwich recipe. It's less mess and an easy way to serve the whole family on game day.

Spicy Sriracha Fried Chicken

A staple comfort food, the number of fried chicken recipes out there is seemingly endless. In our spicy fried chicken take, a day-long marinade in sriracha sauce will seriously set those taste buds on fire.

Nashville Hot Chicken

This Southern comfort food spread beyond its Tennessee origins due to its spicy sauce and crispy-crunchy fried chicken exterior. Go for the classic Nashville fried chicken recipe or skip the oil-frying version by following our Test Kitchen’s air-fryer instructions.

Harissa-Spiced Chicken

Cookbook author Ayesha Curry really knows how to bring the heat in her cooking. This spicy baked chicken dish features harissa paste, a chile-infused ingredient commonly used in Mediterranean recipes. It's a one-pan dinner you'll want to make on repeat.

Pressure Cooker Chicken Salsa Tortas

This quick take on a classic Mexican dish will have a spicy chicken sandwich ready for you in no time. Our pressure cooker chicken requires a jar of salsa, so feel free to go as hot or mild with the spice level as you please.

Korean Fried Chicken

Known as chikin in Korea, this fried chicken recipe achieves its satisfying crunch with the help of potato starch. The sticky sweet-and-spicy sauce has a delicious combination of gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste), oyster sauce, mirin, ginger, and garlic. Use the recipe to make boneless fried chicken or a sauce for wings.

Spice-Rubbed Chicken and Poblano Tacos

Juicy chicken thighs get smothered in a spicy rub mixture before getting a quick broil. To really amp up the heat, more than a pound of poblano peppers get roasted in garlic and added to the mix. The char adds a smoky flavor to these addicting chicken tacos.

Test Kitchen Tip: Chiles, such as jalapeño or poblano peppers, contain capsaicin, which gives them their spicy heat and will cause a long-lasting burning tingle on your skin. To avoid this, wear plastic or rubber gloves when working.

Spicy Chinese Chicken and Noodles

It will only take around 30 minutes to get these spicy chicken noodles on the table. Bonus: it's a one-pot meal for easy cleanup, too. Top with peanuts for a crunchy finish.

Pickled-Jalapeño Fried Chicken

Marinating your fried chicken in pickled jalapeño juice allows your chicken to get super moist and tender. To make this spicy chicken really special, be sure to whip up the quick pan gravy recipe included to go on top.

Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles

Hot honey gained a lot of traction in the food trends world over the past few years. Here it’s used to glaze fried chicken as well as infuse a cream cheese topper. Paired with a cornmeal waffle, this is a comfort food combo you’ll be craving on repeat. The spicy-sweet condiment is available at grocery stores and online now, but you can also make your own in a pinch by simply adding chili flakes to honey.

Spicy Chicken with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Curry, paprika, and cayenne combine to add the perfect amount of hot and spicy flavor in this grilled chicken recipe. Add the spicy chicken marinade to the wings and/or drumsticks for up to 24 hours before cooking so the flavors can really meld nicely.

Chipotle Chicken

Chile peppers in adobo sauce are a great ingredient for anyone that wants a bit of spice but doesn't want to break into a sweat. This simple spicy chipotle chicken recipe will pair perfectly with your favorite Mexican sides.

Moroccan Chicken and Peppers

A freshly-ground mixture of chiles, cumin, cinnamon, and coriander brings just the right amount of warm and spicy notes to this Moroccan-inspired chicken recipe. Serving harissa paste on the side allows you to adjust the heat to your liking.

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Salad

Give your lunch salad a kick with our healthy twist on buffalo chicken. This protein-packed spicy chicken recipe has less than 400 calories and will keep you full until dinnertime.

Kickin' Chicken Chili

By using frozen veggies and canned beans, this hot and spicy chicken chili comes together super quick. It's an easy slow-cooker dump dinner recipe to keep on hand for busy weeks you don't have a lot of time to spend cooking.

Curried Chicken

If curry chicken is your go-to order at your local Indian restaurant, you should try making this classic dish at home. Serve this slow-cooker spicy chicken over hot cooked rice for an easy weeknight dinner.

Korean Fire Chicken With Cheese

This spicy chicken recipe has fire in its name for a reason: it's hot! That heat comes from gochujang, a Korean hot pepper paste that can usually be found in the Asian section of your supermarket. You can also try making your own with our quick gochujang recipe. To tame the heat (a bit), this one-pan meal gets a coating of melty mozzarella cheese.

Spicy Chicken-Corn Chowder

Soothe your soul by adding some heat to your soup menu. Featuring smoky bacon and hot jalapeños, this creamy spicy chicken soup is a Better Homes & Gardens favorite. If the peppers are too hot for you, remove the seeds before adding them to your pot.

Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken and Noodles

No need for a takeout menu tonight. This Asian-inspired spicy chicken recipe takes only 25 minutes of prep time. Your slow-cooker will do the rest of the work.