Tired of bland? 19 recipes to bring the heat

Photo of author

| Published:

Looking to banish bland from your dinner table? We’ve got a spicy lineup that’ll make you forget all about those tasteless meals. From Gochujang Noodles to Harissa Chicken, these recipes will seriously heat things up.

Low angle shot of korean fried chicken with a hand holding a piece of the chicken.
Korean Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Gochujang Noodles

Low angle shot of gochujang noodles with greens, mushrooms, and cheese on a grey and white plate.
Gochujang Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

These noodles use gochujang, a Korean chili paste, to deliver a fiery kick. They’re perfect for those who find regular pasta too mild and are looking to elevate their noodle game.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Noodles

Thai Chicken Satay

overhead shot of thai chicken satay on a black plate with peanut sauce on the side.
Thai Chicken Satay. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This dish introduces the warmth of Thai spices through its peanut sauce. Ideal for anyone keen to bring a bit of Thai heat to a simple chicken dish.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Satay

Chicken Curry Laksa

laksa in a white bowl.
Chicken Curry Laksa. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Malaysian dish blends spicy curry with coconut milk for a rich and heated flavor profile. It’s a must-try for lovers of spicy soups.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Curry Laksa

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Overhead shot of spicy cucumber salad in a black bowl with a fancy serving spoon on the side.
Spicy Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This is a refreshing yet spicy side dish, combining the coolness of cucumber with a heat-packed dressing. A balance of temperature and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Basket of fried chicken with chilies and garlic.
Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Salt and pepper are just the base; these wings come with an added spicy element. A familiar appetizer made more intriguing for heat seekers.
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Spicy Miso Ramen

A bowl of ramen with karaage chicken.
Spicy Miso Ramen. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Traditional miso ramen gets a spicy makeover here. A complex broth with a kick makes it appealing to those tired of bland noodle bowls.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Miso Ramen

Mongolian Chicken

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

The heat in this dish comes from red chili flakes, providing a fiery undertone. It’s Mongolian chicken for those who like it less sweet and more spicy.
Get the Recipe: Mongolian Chicken

Chicken 65

overhead shot of a plate of chicken 65.
Chicken 65. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This popular Indian starter is known for its fiery red appearance and equally spicy taste. A go-to recipe when you crave Indian heat.
Get the Recipe: Chicken 65

Salpicon de Res

Low angle shot of mini tostadas with salpicon de res or shredded beef salad on top.
Salpicon de Res. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Mexican shredded beef salad combines savory flavors with spicy elements. It’s a lesser-known dish that packs a big punch.
Get the Recipe: Salpicon de Res

Kung Pao Chicken

low angle shot of a bowl of kung pao chicken.
Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A Chinese classic that delivers heat through its signature use of Szechuan peppercorns. An option for when you want your stir-fry to sting a little.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Harissa Chicken

harissa chicken in a baking pan with a plate of it over rice with yogurt and herbs on the side.
Harissa Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Using North African harissa paste, this chicken dish brings spicy and smoky notes. Ideal for those interested in expanding their spicy palate.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Chicken

Mango Habanero Salsa

Overhead shot of a bowl of mango habanero salsa with a hand lifting a spoonful of the salsa.
Mango Habanero Salsa. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

The tropical sweetness of mango meets the intense heat of habanero. Perfect for those who like their salsa to come with a warning label.
Get the Recipe: Mango Habanero Salsa

Thai Larb

Low angle shot of a striped bowl filled with Thai larb salad garnished with shallot slices.
Thai Larb. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

A spicy Thai meat salad that uses chilies to turn up the heat. This dish offers a different kind of salad experience for spice lovers.
Get the Recipe: Thai Larb

Dan Dan Noodles

dan dan noodles in a white bowl with chopsticks.
Dan Dan Noodles. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Szechuan peppercorns provide the heat in this Chinese noodle dish. A bowl of these is for anyone looking to get their lips tingling.
Get the Recipe: Dan Dan Noodles

Cajun Shrimp and Grits

A bowl of grits topped with cajun shrimp.
Cajun Shrimp and Grits. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This Southern classic gets a spicy Cajun twist. For those who like their comfort food with a side of heat.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp and Grits

Korean Fried Chicken

Low angle shot of korean fried chicken with a hand holding a piece of the chicken.
Korean Fried Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This air fryer version of spicy Korean fried chicken is both crunchy and hot. A different take on fried chicken for those bored of the regular version.
Get the Recipe: Korean Fried Chicken

Gochujang Chicken

Gochujang chicken on a platter with fresh herbs.
Gochujang Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Another dish that leverages the heat of gochujang. For those who can’t get enough of that distinct Korean spice.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

Szechuan Shrimp

Szechuan shrimp in a walk with a serving spoon.
Szechuan Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This shrimp dish is fiery and fast to make. An excellent choice for quick, high-heat seafood dishes.
Get the Recipe: Szechuan Shrimp

Cucumber Kimchi

Cucumber kimchi on a white plate with a pair of chopsticks lifting a slice of cucumber.
Cucumber Kimchi. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This kimchi variant is lighter but doesn’t skimp on the spice. Great for those looking to add a spicy crunch to their meals.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Kimchi

Camarones a la Diabla

Shrimp in red chile sauce on a white plate with lime wedges and a fork in the background.
Camarones a la Diabla. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Translating to “Devil’s Shrimp,” this Mexican dish is as hot as its name suggests. A shrimp dish for those who want to test their spice limits.
Get the Recipe: Camarones a la Diabla

Sriracha Ranch

A bowl of sriracha ranch dressing.
Sriracha Ranch. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

It’s a creamy ranch dressing with a Sriracha twist. A great option for adding zesty heat to salads or as a dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Sriracha Ranch

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.