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  5. 16 Dinner Recipes for When You're Craving Something Spicy

16 Dinner Recipes for When You're Craving Something Spicy

Alex Loh
Alex Loh Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD February 26, 2020
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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spicy jerk shrimp and pineapple on a sheet pan

Turn up the temperature with these spicy and bold dishes. These recipes are packed with heat thanks to peppers like chiles and jalapeños. Add flavor to your dinners with recipes like Spicy Meatloaf with Collards or Chile-Lime Cauliflower Quesadillas. End your day with recipes that are sure to bring the heat.

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Spicy Jerk Shrimp

spicy jerk shrimp and pineapple on a sheet pan
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Here's a shrimp sheet pan supper that's roasted and caramelized to perfection! The pineapple in this recipe makes a sweet sauce that balances the heat of the Jamaican jerk seasoning. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine

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Tofu Cucumber Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

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Making tofu tastier can be as simple as tossing it in a knockout sauce like this Sichuan-inspired peanut dressing. To make this cucumber salad recipe a meal, add rice noodles and double the dressing. Serve with an extra drizzle of sesame oil and sliced scallions. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2017

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Chili-Rubbed Tilapia with Asparagus & Lemon

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Tilapia, a relatively plentiful fish, has the unfortunate reputation of being dull. All it needs is a spice rub, a familiar barbecuing technique that works just as well indoors. You could also use this rub on chicken breasts or toss it with lightly oiled shrimp before cooking. Source: EatingWell Magazine, April/May 2005

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Bean Burgers with Spicy Guacamole

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These bean burgers will even please carnivores. The cornmeal coating gives a pleasant crunch and smoked paprika, cumin, cilantro and guacamole add Southwestern flavor. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2009

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Arepas with Spicy Black Beans

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These corncakes are a common style of flatbread in Colombia and Venezuela. Arepas are made with precooked cornmeal and served warmed with butter or cheese, or split open and filled, or topped, as we've done here. Our arepas filling is loaded with fragrant spices and vegetables to elevate the dish. Source: EatingWell Magazine, December 2019

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Korean Chicken Soup

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This quick and easy spicy chicken soup recipe is made with leftover cooked chicken and is spiked with garlic, ginger and hot sauce.

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Chile-Lime Cauliflower Quesadillas

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Poblano peppers add a touch of heat to these vegetarian quesadillas, but a sweet bell pepper is tasty, too, if you want something milder. Start these quesadillas in the oven and finish them off in a skillet for melty cheese and crispy tortillas. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March 2020

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Spicy Meatloaf with Collards

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Plenty of dark leafy greens deliver the moisture needed to balance lean ground pork and beef in this spicy meatloaf recipe. Serve any leftovers with extra ketchup as meatloaf sandwiches. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2015

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Spicy Shrimp Tacos

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These spicy shrimp tacos owe their kick to a smoky chipotle shrimp seasoning blend. Cooling avocado and tangy pico de gallo round out the flavor. This vibrant, easy dinner comes together in a flash, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2020

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Chili Cornbread Casserole

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Here's a fun way to serve chili and cornbread together. Don't let the ingredient list intimidate you--this casserole is easy to make and a real crowd pleaser. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2010

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Thai-Style Chopped Salad with Sriracha Tofu

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Prep four days' worth of high-protein vegan lunches using just four easy ingredients from your local specialty grocery store, including a veggie-heavy salad mix as a base. Because this salad mix is hearty, you can dress these bowls up to 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors in this healthy chopped salad to marry. If you can't find a hearty mix, go with broccoli slaw or shredded Brussels sprouts. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2019

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Spicy Tofu Hotpot

Spicy Tofu Hotpot
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Warm up a chilly evening with this light but satisfying one-pot meal. The tofu absorbs the flavors of this fragrant, spicy broth, making it anything but bland. Look for fresh Chinese-style noodles in the refrigerated case of your supermarket alongside wonton wrappers. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 1996

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Paprika & Red Pepper Soup with Pistachio Puree

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Richly satisfying, this luscious-looking soup made with red bell peppers gets a touch of heat from Thai chiles. For an extra-nutty flavor, puree an additional 1/4 cup shelled pistachios with 1/4 cup water and serve the soup with a dollop of this pistachio puree on top. Source: EatingWell Magazine, Soup Cookbook

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One-Pan Spicy Okra & Shrimp

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Serve spicy blackened shrimp and tender vegetables over aromatic basmati rice for an easy skillet supper. Use precooked microwave rice so you don't have to mess up another pan. This one-pan dinner is perfect for company, but easy enough to make on a weeknight. Source: 400 Calorie Recipes

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Thai Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce

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Spicy peanut sauce is the perfect match for these Thai-marinated grilled chicken strips.

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Instant Pot Orange-Jalapeño Chicken Wings

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These sweet-hot tender Instant Pot chicken wings boast a balance of orange and lime. They're very tangy and very sticky, so be sure to serve with lots of paper towels! Source: 400 Calorie Recipes

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 16 Spicy Jerk Shrimp
    2 of 16 Tofu Cucumber Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
    3 of 16 Chili-Rubbed Tilapia with Asparagus & Lemon
    4 of 16 Bean Burgers with Spicy Guacamole
    5 of 16 Arepas with Spicy Black Beans
    6 of 16 Korean Chicken Soup
    7 of 16 Chile-Lime Cauliflower Quesadillas
    8 of 16 Spicy Meatloaf with Collards
    9 of 16 Spicy Shrimp Tacos
    10 of 16 Chili Cornbread Casserole
    11 of 16 Thai-Style Chopped Salad with Sriracha Tofu
    12 of 16 Spicy Tofu Hotpot
    13 of 16 Paprika & Red Pepper Soup with Pistachio Puree
    14 of 16 One-Pan Spicy Okra & Shrimp
    15 of 16 Thai Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce
    16 of 16 Instant Pot Orange-Jalapeño Chicken Wings

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    16 Dinner Recipes for When You're Craving Something Spicy
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