33 Spicy Recipes That Really Bring the Heat

If you want to bring the heat to your dinner table, try these fantastic spicy recipes.

I’m a huge fan of spicy food, but not everyone likes their meals crazy-fiery. So, I’ve chosen recipes that rank across the board from mild to blazin’ hot. 

Choose from a yummy Indian chicken dish that’s full of warming spices.

Or go for a crazy chili concoction that maxes out the Scoville Scale.

No matter what you go for, do yourself a favor and pour a glass of milk because these spicy recipes are no joke!

1. Firecracker Chicken

If spicy Asian chicken is your jam, this is a must-make.

Juicy, bite-sized chicken pieces get a coating that’s an exceptional balance between sweet and spicy. 

2. Easy Spicy Chicken Pad Thai

I am all about easy Thai recipes to try at home. Add some extra spice into the mix, and things get even better.

Sriracha is your primary source of heat for these killer noodles. But if you prefer your Thai food scorching, add some bird’s eye chilis to the mix too.

Oh, and don’t leave the brown sugar out of the sauce. It’s all about finding the right balance before kicking up the heat. 

3. 30-Minute Spicy Coconut Butter Chicken

There’s no need for takeout when you’ve got homemade Indian food this good. 

Butter chicken is pretty mild when compared to, say, vindaloo. But it’s in no way lacking in spice. 

The velvety smooth sauce is an aromatic blend of garam masala, ginger, turmeric, and cumin. Add just a pinch of cayenne to round it all out. 

It takes roughly 30 minutes to pull this together, so you can even enjoy this during the workweek.

4. Alabama Firecrackers

If you just can’t get enough of that lip-tingling feeling, these spicy firecrackers are sure to become your new addiction.

You’ll take a package of saltines and doctor them up with a spicy blend featuring chili pepper flakes and powdered Ranch dressing mix. 

It doesn’t sound like much, but I promise you’ll have a hard time sharing.

5. 5-Alarm Chili

A lot of people talk a big game about their chili. But I know a few spicy food lovers who’ll agree if it ain’t making you sweat, then it’s not chili. 

This 5-alarm chili packs in so much heat you’ll need to bust out the fire hose to cool down. 

To give you a little taste, it’s got a handful of serranos, jalapeños, scotch bonnet peppers, and pasilla peppers. 

And that’s just the fresh chilis!

6. 5-Ingredient Spicy Pork

Fellow pork and spice lovers, meet your new favorite spicy recipe. 

You’ll throw together a sweet and spicy rub, then massage it into pork tenderloin. From there, how to serve is up to you. 

I think this is incredible in tacos or in a soft baguette with lots of crunchy slaw. Or, keep it simple with a tasty potato side dish.

7. 30-Minute Spicy Ginger Szechuan Beef

Imagine tender strips of flank steak covered in a Chinese five-spice Szechaun sauce. Now put it with crunchy carrots and celery strips for a spicy Szechuan beef that will rival any restaurant.

Oh, and did I mention it’s ready in just 30 minutes?

I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. 

8. Crispy Chili Beef

Now, this is a surefire way to warm up on a chilly day. 

Sirloin steak and a well-balanced spicy sauce come together in this gratifying recipe. 

Be sure to get both sides of the beef nice and crispy, then douse it with sauce.

9. Spicy Chicken Pasta

If a sprinkle of red chili pepper flakes doesn’t cut it for you, try this pasta dish on for size. It’s so much more than your Nonna’s usual pasta recipe.

Chicken breast gets a spice rub of both cayenne and smoked paprika for an extra kick, and everything is swimming in a double cream spicy tomato sauce. 

The only way this recipe gets better is with a chunk of warm garlic bread.

10. One-Pot Spicy Tomato Pasta

I love easy one-pot meals, and this one doesn’t disappoint.

You’ll turn canned tomatoes into a tangy, spicy sauce, then pour it over rigatoni with browned sausage. 

11. Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Every spicy food fanatic loves jalapeño poppers. So why not turn them into a full-on meal?

This casserole is cheesy, spicy, savory, and it’s got bacon to boot! 

Need I say more? I thought not. 

12. 15-Minute Spicy Shrimp

Don’t worry, shrimp lovers; I didn’t forget about you! 

Here’s a quick and easy shrimp recipe that’s coated in a four-spice blend, sautéed, then garnished with parsley. 

I also like a little twist of lemon on mine. 

13. Spicy Shrimp and Crabs

My mouth is watering just thinking about this dish. 

It’s a double whammy of shellfish slathered in chili pepper and butter-tomato sauce. It also comes with ears of corn for pops of crunchy sweetness. 

It’s akin to a crawfish boil, except it features shrimp and crab instead. 

14. Jambalaya

Jambalaya is the quintessential Creole dish. It has many variations, but this one is best for spice. 

I love the combination of andouille sausage, chicken, and shrimp. However, I know not everyone is on board with okra. 

Don’t worry; if you leave it out, you’ll still have a phenomenal jambalaya.

15. Spicy Seafood Paella

Paella is like jambalaya’s Spanish cousin. It’s got rice and sausage, except it’s more of a seafood dish. 

This one comes with four different types of shellfish and Spanish chorizo for color and taste.

Serranos kick up the heat, but not too much.

16. Spicy Chicken Tacos

These aren’t just chicken tacos – they’re a vibrant savory blend of spicy chicken and fresh fillings. 

Pico de gallo and avocado are my go-to choices to top it off and, of course, a drizzle of my favorite hot sauce.

17. Spicy Ground Beef Nachos

If you like beef nachos, here’s the ultimate recipe. 

You’ll spice up beef just right with an array of flavorings like adobo sauce, cumin, and chili powder. 

Then doctor up a sheet pan with tortilla chips, beef, cheese, and all the fresh fixing you can handle.

18. Spicy Chicken and Corn Chowder

No matter the time of year, I can appreciate a good chowder. It’s creamy, often slightly sweet, and super comforting.

This is one recipe I’m especially fond of when. Nothing else will do if I’ve got a hankering for something savory, spicy, and creamy.

It’s brimming with chicken, veggies, and the perfect amount of spice.

19. Spicy Sausage Biscuit Breakfast Casserole

If this isn’t your first visit to the site, you’ll know I am crazy for breakfast casseroles.

So, here’s one I like to bust out for game days or weekend breakfasts with friends. 

Flaky biscuits are overflowing with a heaping of savory sausage and gooey cheese. But that’s not all, because there’s also some fresh jalapeños and green chilis hiding in the mix. 

20. Jalapeño Poppers

You didn’t think I could pull together this list without traditional jalapeño poppers, did you?

Each spicy pepper is full of garlicky cream cheese and topped with breadcrumbs. It’s simple but pretty darn delicious.

21. Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas

Quesadillas are my all-time favorite late-night snack. They’re satisfying and full of ooey-gooey cheese, plus they’re ideal for a light dinner or lunch too.

This quesadilla is oozing tomato and chipotle shredded chicken and sharp cheddar cheese.

It’s a little smoky, spicy, and completely mouthwatering. 

22. Homemade Nando’s Spicy Rice

Nando has quite the cult following in the UK, and they even have one in downtown Toronto. That’s where I first experienced this Portuguese chicken restaurant and got totally hooked!

The chicken comes in a few different flavors with varying spice levels. But it’s the rice that keeps me coming back again and again.

Start by sautéing onions and bell peppers. From there, you’ll add spices and stock before mixing through some green peas. 

If you can get your hands on some Piri-Piri chicken, you’ll have one of the best spicy chicken dishes around.

Hint: you can buy their hot sauces and dry rubs online!

23. Hot and Spicy Pork

While this may not be completely traditional, it’s a good one to add to the list. 

The opposing forces of Frank’s Red Hot and brown sugar meld in harmony to create a tasty hot and spice sauce. 

To ensure your pork turns out nice and crispy, coat it in cornstarch before adding the sauce. 

24. Spicy Jalapeño Mac and Cheese

I have dreams about this grown-up mac & cheese. 

It’s overflowing with rich creamy goodness thanks to the triple threat of cheese. And that’s the perfect match for bacon, jalapeños, and hint of cayenne. 

Grab yourself a bowl, but I warn you, this stuff is the definition of irresistible.

25. Ultimate Ropa Vieja

The world is full of incredible authentic cuisines and home cooks that know how to do spice right. This recipe falls under that list.

Ropa vieja is a Cuban dish that’s considered to be one of the national dishes of the country. And this recipe, friends, is a sensational rendition.

It’s a savory, spicy, and fragrant dish featuring beef as the star. 

While the list of ingredients is long and somewhat intimidating, any spice lover can appreciate the greatness happening here. 

26. One-Pot Spicy Eggs and Potatoes

Looking for a savory breakfast recipe that’s also full of flavor and spice? This one-pot recipe is my top choice. 

It’s similar to shakshuka which is a style of poaching eggs in a red sauce. 

The difference is that the sauce calls for a generous pinch of ancho chili and there’s some kale, potatoes, and goat cheese in the mix too. 

It’s a touch rustic, garden-fresh, and incredibly crave-worthy.

27. Spicy Baked Beans with Bacon

From ribs to brisket, this is the spicy side dish to go with all your barbecue faves. 

Tangy, sweet, and spicy, these baked beans are downright flavorsome and homely. 

The key to these baked beans is a splash of apple cider vinegar, a touch of molasses, and fresh jalapeños. That and you’ll need to use some of the bacon grease for cooking.

28. Spicy Lasagna Soup

Spicy lasagna soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s full of savory Italian sausage, tender lasagna noodles, and cheese. 

What’s even better is you got the flavors of lasagna you crave without tedious assembly. 

29. Spicy Southwest Salad

There’s a good amount of heavy-hitting dishes on this list. So if you’re looking for something fresher, try this. 

I admit it’s not a light leafy green salad, but it’s packing flavor and a ton of veggies. 

Black beans and corn are quintessential Southwest complements. So is the creamy, spicy Southwest dressing. 

The best part, though, is the citrusy-spicy marinade you slather on the chicken. 

30. Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wings

Buffalo wings are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you crave spicy food. They’re lip-smacking, juicy, flavorful, and classic.

The finger-licking spicy sauce is the epitome of perfection and better still, this recipe only calls for three ingredients and 30 minutes of your time. 

31. Mexican Cornbread

Remember that 5-alarm chili from above? Well, for a true fiery feast ever, I think you should serve it with this Mexican cornbread.

You’ll take a box of Jiffy mix and fix it up with some extra ingredients like cheese and chilis. 

Don’t forget the creamed corn and sour cream too! That’s crucial to keep this cornbread from drying out.

32. Spicy Sriracha Noodles

During the colder months, I constantly crave slurpable Asian noodles. Luckily, these easy spicy noodles hit the spot every time. 

This 15-minute recipe has the right amount of spice and I love the fluffy eggs. It’s also an excellent building block, so there’s plenty of room for interpretation. 

I like to add some bell pepper, carrots, and broccoli to mine. Oh, and a squeeze of lime too.

33. Spicy Baked Salmon

I like salmon just about any way you make it. What’s so great about this recipe is it’s easy, fast, and the rub is on point. 

You’ll want to find the right balance not to overpower any of the ingredients. So I recommend starting light with your brown sugar and chipotle to tailor it to your taste. 

Fresh, zesty, and not too fiery, I think everyone can get down on this salmon bake.