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20 Healthy Spicy Food Recipes

    Do you love spicy food? Don’t miss this complete collection of 20 healthy recipes for the spicy food lover!

    Spicy chicken saute with jalapeno- 20 healthy spicy food recipes.

    Have you ever found yourself stuck in a rut with healthy eating? Trust me, I hear you. Planning dinners week in and week out can be tiresome. One way to beat through the boredom is to kick up the heat level in dishes. Whether it’s adding a little cayenne, swirling in a little Sriracha, or sautéing with a dollop of chili paste, here are 20 Healthy Spicy Food Recipes that will shake up your weekly menu!

    spicy sauteed corn skillet

    Why Eat Spicy Food?

    • Helps with weight loss. Capsaicin (the oil found in hot peppers) increases your body temperature, which increases your metabolism, which helps you burn more calories.
    • Numerous health benefits. Again, capsaicin has been connected with health benefits including improving gut health, lowering cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure.
    bowl of spicy pasta- 20 healthy spicy food recipes.

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    What can you put in food to make it spicy?

    My easy, go-to ingredients are jalapeños, chili paste, cayenne, and hot sauce.

    What country makes the spiciest food?

    I’m sure everyone has a different opinion on this one, but I pull inspiration from many countries that enjoy spicy food, like Mexico, India, and Thailand.

    What if something tastes too spicy?

    Make sure to offer something neutral with the meal to counteract the spice. Things like pasta, rice, or bread.

    Eat It, LIke It, Share It!

    Did you try any of these spicy recipes? The next time you make one, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your meal.

    20 Healthy Spicy Food Recipes

    Spicy Chicken Sauté with Jalapeño

    4.80 stars average
    25 minutes
    Tender chicken breast cubes are sautéed with garlic, onion, and tomatoes. Thinly sliced jalapeños add a spicy kick that mellows when cooked.
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    Spicy chicken saute with jalapeno

    Spelt Tabbouleh with Jalapeño Vinaigrette

    5 stars average
    15 minutes
    A twist on the traditional dish, spelt gives this tabbouleh an added chewy texture that pairs perfection with the slightly spicy jalapeño vinaigrette.
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    Spelt tabbouleh with jalapeno vinaigrette

    Sweet & Spicy Hot Chili Chicken Noodles | Ambitious Kitchen

    Hot chili chicken noodles tossed in a flavorful meat sauce. These sweet & spicy chicken noodles are packed with protein & better than takeout!
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    Sweet Spicy Hot Chili Chicken Noodles 4

    Spicy Corn Skillet with Garlic and Chilis

    Rate It!
    5 minutes
    This 5 minute side dish recipe is jam packed with garlicky flavor and perfect for using up fresh or frozen sweet corn.
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    corn skillet having garnish sprinkled onto

    Caribbean Fish Soup (Fish Tea)

    4.50 stars average
    40 minutes
    This fragrant broth-based Caribbean fish soup, also known as fish tea, is made with hearty veggies, potatoes and various types of fish and seafood.
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    Easy Caribbean Fish Soup

    Spicy Pasta with Garlic and Olive Oil

    4 stars
    25 minutes
    This vegan pasta recipe is made with garlic, olive oil and YOWZERS!TM red chili peppers for a little kick. Flavor-packed and perfect for serving with grilled chicken, broiled salmon, roasted shrimp and more.
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    bowl of spicy pasta

    Roasted Cauliflower with Jalapeño Caper Vinaigrette

    4.41 stars average
    30 minutes
    Cauliflower is roasted until sweet and caramelized then drizzled with a briny, tangy and slightly spicy lemon caper jalapeño vinaigrette.
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    Roasted Cauliflower with Jalapeño Caper Vinaigrette

    Spicy Shrimp Fra Diavolo With Linguine

    4.50 stars average
    25 minutes
    An easy 15 minute dinner recipe, this spicy shrimp pasta is made with tomatoes, garlic, chili flakes and linguine. 
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    Shrimp Fra Diavalo Pasta Recipe

    Spicy Lebanese Roasted Potatoes

    4.50 stars average
    30 minutes
    Spicy Lebanese potatoes, traditionally known as “batata harra” are roasted until crispy then tossed in a fragrant sauce made with garlic, cilantro, lemon.
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    Spicy Lebanese Potatoes Recipe

    Green Chile Stew

    4.60 stars average
    1 hour 40 minutes
    This New Mexican style green chile stew is made with roasted green chiles, tender pork, and creamy Yukon potatoes.
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    Spoonful of green chili stew

    Kung Pao Shrimp

    5 stars average
    20 minutes
    A healthy version of the Chinese takeout classic, my Kung Pao Shrimp is sweet, spicy and perfectly balanced. Ready in 20 minutes!
    Pin
    Healthy Kung Pao Shrimp Recipe

    Low Carb Ground Turkey Lettuce Cups

    Rate It!
    25 minutes
    These protein-packed lettuce cups are made with ground turkey simmered in a sweet and spicy sauce made with garlic, ginger, lime juice and YOWZERS red chili peppers. They're crunchy, tangy and naturally low carb.
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    turkey lettuce cup closeup

    Spicy Chicken Ramen

    Rate It!
    40 minutes
    A quick, weeknight version of the traditional Japanese noodle soup, spicy chicken ramen is warm, satisfying and oh-so-comforting.
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    spicy chicken ramen bowl

    Spicy Tuna Pasta Puttanesca

    4 stars average
    25 minutes
    This fast and easy pasta recipe is quick, spicy and delicious. Made with common pantry ingredients, the whole meal comes together in less than 15 minutes!
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    spicy tuna puttanesca 1

    Flank Steak Tacos

    4.50 stars average
    35 minutes
    Smoky, spicy, and freshly flavored with red pepper and onion, these Flank Steak Tacos are the perfect meal to please the whole family.
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    Flank steak tacos

    Authentic Tequila Lime Shrimp

    4.45 stars average
    30 minutes
    A fast and easy weeknight dinner, serve this tequila lime shrimp with warm corn tortillas, over rice or tossed with pasta.
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    Authentic tequila lime shrimp

    Vegan Hummus Quinoa Patties

    Rate It!
    30 minutes
    These protein-packed hummus quinoa patties are naturally vegan and made with creamy hummus, corn, and jalapenos.
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    Hummus Quinoa Patties with Corn and Jalapenos

    Jamaican Escovitch Fish

    4.46 stars average
    40 minutes
    This authentic Jamaican seafood recipe is traditionally made with red snapper sauteed with a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy mixture of peppers, carrots and onions.
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    Jamaican Fish Escovitch Snapper

    Jamaican Curry Chicken

    Rate It!
    45 minutes
    This authentic Jamaican curry recipe is made with tender chicken breasts, hearty veggies, and fragrant spices like turmeric and ginger.
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    Jamaican Chicken Curry Close Up

    Spicy Shrimp and Sausage Skewers – Iowa Girl Eats

    Spicy Shrimp and Sausage Skewers are spicy, savory, and simple. This easy, sizzling appetizer recipe will fly off the platter!
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    Spicy Shrimp and Sausage Skewers iowagirleats Featured
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    Liz DellaCroce

    Liz Della Croce is the creator and author of The Lemon Bowl, a healthy food blog. Since 2010, Liz has been sharing delicious recipes that just so happen to be healthy. By using real ingredients with an emphasis on seasonality, Liz has built a growing audience of loyal readers who crave good food for their families. Click Here To Subscribe to my newsletter:

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