light my fire: 35 spicy recipes to heat things up

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Do you go crazy for food with a kick of spice? If you’re ready to turn up the heat, these 35 seductively spicy recipes will ignite your taste buds and leave you aching for more. From Mango Habanero Salsa to Chinese Salt and Pepper Wings, these dishes are guaranteed to light your fire.

Low angle shot of a bowl of salt and pepper chicken.
Salt and Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Curry Laksa

Spicy chicken curry Laksa is the stuff dreams are made of. What’s more enticing than a steamy bowl of rich, spicy soup with layers of flavor, chunks of chicken, and tender rice noodles?
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry Laksa

Kung Pao Chicken

This kung pao chicken is just like what you get at your favorite Chinese takeout restaurant. Tender bits of chicken, crunchy peanuts, a salty-sweet sauce, and a hit of spice all come together to make one delicious dish.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Crispy Beef

Low angle shot of crispy beef on a plate.
Crispy Beef. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Crispy Chilli Beef is one of my favorite Chinese restaurant dishes—strips of tender beef are fried until crispy and then tossed in a sticky, sweet, spicy sauce. It’s easy to make at home, and no deep fryer is needed!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Beef

Camarones a la Diabla

Camarones a la Diabla is one of my all-time favorite recipes. Plump, tender shrimp are seared in a skillet and then tossed in a rich, fiery sauce made from dried chiles. You can vary the type and amount of chile to get exactly the heat level that’s right for you.
Get the Recipe: Camarones a la Diabla

Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

This Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken is crispy, crunchy, spicy, and sweet. It’s easy to make and you won’t be able to stop eating it.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Low angle shot of a bowl of salt and pepper chicken.
Salt and Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

I made these Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings with Szechuan peppercorns and stir-fried hot chile peppers and garlic and I couldn’t stop eating them! They are so crunchy, spicy, and addictive.
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Thai Pumpkin Curry

Thai pumpkin curry in a white dutch oven with rice and limes on the side.
Thai Pumpkin Curry. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Thai Pumpkin Curry Soup is a delicious and satisfying meal that takes just 25 minutes to make. Thai curry paste and rich, creamy coconut milk add layers of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Thai Pumpkin Curry

Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites

These Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites are guaranteed to disappear fast at the cookout! They’re just as cheesy, crunchy, spicy, and flavorful as regular poppers, but easier to make AND easier to eat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Bites

Mango Habanero Salsa

Mango Habanero Salsa is the perfect fiery topping for fish tacos or simply for dipping. It’s spicy and sweet, and really easy to make. It’s also crazy delicious.
Get the Recipe: Mango Habanero Salsa

Samosa Chaat

Samosa chaat on a white plate with a brown and white napkin underneat.
Samosa Chaat. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Samosa Chaat is the kind of snack food I crave in the middle of a shopping or sight-seeing afternoon, late at night after a few drinks, or as a pre-meal appetizer. It’s a combination of flavors and textures that is deeply irresistible — spicy, sweet, savory, crunchy, and creamy.
Get the Recipe: Samosa Chaat

Cajun Shrimp and Grits

Cajun Shrimp and Grits is spicy, satisfying comfort food. Creamy, buttery grits are topped with Cajun spiced shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp and Grits

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Air Fryer Orange Chicken is crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and tossed in an addictive sweet-savory sauce made with orange juice and zest. Based on the popular Chinese takeout dish, this healthy and easy air fryer version is a total crowd pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Szechuan Shrimp

Low angle shot of szechuan shrimp in a wok.
Szechuan Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Spicy Szechuan Shrimp is easy to make at home. Hot bean paste, chili oil, and Szechuan peppercorns give it a kick!
Get the Recipe: Szechuan Shrimp

Thai Chicken Curry

This Thai Chicken Curry is so good! I love how easy it is to make and that you can use whatever veggies you have on hand! It’s so delicious and can be made either on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Curry

Instant Pot Chicken Korma

Instant Pot Chicken Korma is a super-fast way to enjoy this spicy, rich curry. It’s quick to make, with a short ingredient list, but the recipe doesn’t sacrifice flavor for speed.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Korma

Samosas

samosas with potato filling cut in half on a plate.
Samosas with Spicy Potato Filling. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Samosas will feed your cravings for crispy, savory snacks and for spicy food. These crispy pastry shells are filled with a spicy potato filling. Enjoy them duncked into a spicy cilantro-jalapeno chutney to turn up the heat even more.
Get the recipe: Samosas

Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

This Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken is so delicious! It’s full of spicy flavor from dried chiles and Szechuan peppercorns. Toasted peanuts add the perfect crunch, too. It’s so quick and makes a full meal if you pair it with steamed rice.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Kung Pao Chicken

Gochujang Noodles

Gochujang Noodles are so full of flavor, you won’t be able to stop eating them. Imagine chewy noodles bathed in a rich and creamy, spicy, savory sauce studded with tender greens and meaty sliced mushrooms.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Noodles

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Overhead shot of two white bowls with chicken hot and sour soup.
Chicken Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup starts with a rich, tangy, spicy broth. Then it’s filled with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tender chicken, tofu, and ribbons of egg. It’s seriously nutritious and seriously delicious.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Thai Larb

When you’re in the mood for something light, spicy, and deliciously savory, this Thai Larb is perfect. Easy to make and totally addictive!
Get the Recipe: Thai Larb

Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu

Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu is so delicious, it will make even non-believers into tofu lovers! Crispy tofu cubes are tossed with spicy chile peppers, crispy garlic, sliced scallions, and a sprinkling of flavorful spices.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu

Mongolian Chicken

Overhead shot of a bowl of mongolian chicken.
Mongolian Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Mongolian Chicken, like its sibling Mongolian Beef, is a restaurant favorite, and for good reason. Tender chicken pieces are fried to a golden-brown crisp and then tossed in a sweet-savory, gingery hoisin-based sauce studded with fresh green onions.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Chicken

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Spicy Cucumber Salad, spiked with chili crisp and fermented black beans, is super refreshing on a hot day! Bring it to the cookout and watch it disappear fast!
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad

Sriracha Ranch

Sriracha Ranch Dressing is all the things people love about ranch dressing—creamy, fresh, herby—but with the added kick of spice from sriracha sauce that takes it over the top. https://allwaysdelicious.com/sriracha-ranch-dressing/
Get the Recipe: Sriracha Ranch

Thai Chicken Satay

Thai Chicken Satay on a black plate with veggies.
Thai Chicken Satay. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Thai Satay Chicken is loaded with authentic flavors like turmeric, lemongrass, chiles, and fish sauce. A rich and spicy Thai Peanut Sauce is perfect for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Satay

Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles

Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles is a dish I could eat every day and never get tired of it. It’s a quick, easy, delicious vegetarian meal with tons of spicy Thai flavor.
Get the Recipe: Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles

Prik Nam Pla

Prik Nam Pla, the ubiquitous Thai dipping sauce, perfectly illustrates the essential Thai cooking principle of balancing salty, sour, sweet, and spicy flavors. It has all of these wrapped up in one crazy delicious sauce.
Get the Recipe: Prik Nam Pla

Veggie Pad Thai

Bowl of peanut veggie pad thai.
Veggie Pad Thai. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This veggie Pad Thai is delicious and easy to make. Rice noodles are quickly stir-fried with classic Thai seasonings (including vegan fish sauce!), bean sprouts, and fried tofu.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pad Thai

Thai Red Curry Sauce

Thai Red Curry Sauce is one of my favorite sauces because of its intense, spicy flavor and its versatility. I spoon it over chicken, fish, shrimp, tofu, veggies, and noodles. You can also use it as a dipping sauce for chicken satay, Thai meatballs, noodles, and more.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Sauce

Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles defy tradition since the traditional topping for the fiery noodles normally starts with ground pork. But I promise you, this easy meatless version is every bit as addictive.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

Harissa Paste

Harissa paste in a canning jar with ingredients scattered around the table.
Harissa paste. Photo credit: Robin Donovan.

This homemade harissa recipe is surprisingly easy, and once you learn how to make it, you’ll find a million ways to use it in your cooking. It delivers intense heat and complex flavor that always puts a smile on my face.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Paste

Shichimi Togarashi

Shichimi Togarashi is a magical Japanese condiment. It’s a perfect perfect seasoning mix to add kick to fish, meat, rice, or noodle dishes. Shichimi Togarashi, or “seven spice,” Itis a spice mixture of dried chile, dried orange or tangerine zest, sesame seeds, seaweed, and usually sansho pepper or Sichuan peppercorns. It’s easy to make and you’ll want to put it on everything!
Get the Recipe: Shichimi Togarashi

Zhoug Sauce

Zhoug Sauce. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

I put zhoug sauce on everything—hummus sandwiches, falafel, samosas, omelets or scrambled eggs, steak, fish, and turkey burgers. as a dip for sweet potato fries, or stirred into yogurt for a creamy, spicy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Zhoug Sauce

Pickled Jalapenos

Pickled Jalapenos are a staple in my house. We put them on everything: tacos, quesadillas, tuna salad sandwiches, wraps, nachos, chilaquiles, enchiladas, burgers, and more. These quick Pickled Jalapenos can be ready in about 20 minutes to stave off any spicy condiment emergencies!
Get the Recipe: Pickled Jalapenos

Sichuan Chili Oil

Are you addicted to chili oil or chili crisp like I am? It’s easy to make at home and you can add all your favorite flavors!
Get the Recipe: Sichuan Chili Oil

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