Healthy and Spicy: 5 Recipes with Chili Peppers

Adding a touch of spice to your meals can elevate their flavor and make them more interesting. If you’re a fan of spicy food, you must try adding chili peppers to your dishes. Not only do they add heat, but chili peppers also possess numerous health benefits, including aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and improving heart health. In this article, we’ll walk you through five delicious and healthy recipes with chili peppers that you can easily incorporate into your diet.

1. Spicy Grilled Chicken Skewers

These chicken skewers are perfect for a summer barbecue or a weeknight dinner. This recipe makes six skewers.Ingredients:

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 small red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 fresh red chili peppers, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 6 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken, bell peppers, onion, chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated.
2. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.
3. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
4. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or over a bed of rice.

2. Turkey Chili

This hearty and healthy chili is perfect for a cold day or when you’re craving comfort food. This recipe serves six.Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 can (14 oz.) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (14 oz.) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brown ground turkey in a large pot over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
2. Add the onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, jalapeno peppers, and garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
3. Add the chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and salt. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for 20-25 minutes, until the flavors have melded together.
5. Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top.

3. Grilled Shrimp with Mango Salsa

This colorful and flavorful dish is perfect for a summer party or a fancy dinner. This recipe serves four.Ingredients:

• 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 mango, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 fresh red chili pepper, minced

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and salt. Season the shrimp with the spice mixture.
2. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until pink and cooked through.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the diced mango, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and minced chili pepper. Toss until evenly mixed.
4. Serve the grilled shrimp hot with the mango salsa on top.

4. Thai Green Curry

This fragrant and spicy curry is bursting with flavor and health benefits. This recipe serves four.Ingredients:

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons Thai green curry paste
• 1 can (14 oz.) coconut milk
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 fresh red chili peppers, sliced
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the Thai green curry paste and stir until fragrant.
2. Add the chicken thighs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the coconut milk, bell peppers, onion, chili peppers, ginger, fish sauce, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
4. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot with jasmine rice.

5. Spicy Avocado Toast

This simple and healthy breakfast or snack option is perfect for avocado lovers. This recipe serves two.Ingredients:

• 2 slices of whole-grain bread
• 1 ripe avocado, mashed
• 1 fresh red chili pepper, sliced
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. To toast the bread, place it in a toaster or under the broiler until golden brown.
2. Mash the avocado in a small mixing bowl with a pinch of salt.
3. Spread the mashed avocado on top of the toasted bread.
4. Sprinkle the sliced chili pepper on top of the avocado and serve with a wedge of lime on the side.

Conclusion

Chili peppers are a great way to add some spice and heat to your meals while also improving your health. These five recipes are just a few examples of the many ways you can incorporate chili peppers into your diet. Give them a try and see how you can add some flavor and excitement to your meals. Happy cooking!Thank you for reading and we wish you a spicy and healthy life!