If you like food with real spice, these recipes are for you. Every meal here brings noticeable heat without being over the top. They’re straight-up dinners with bold flavor for people that like some sass on their plate.
Spicy Bacon Chickpea Burgers
These burgers mix bacon and chickpeas with enough heat to stand out. They’re easy to make and work great for nights when you want something different that still kicks.
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Sweet & Spicy Mango Shrimp
Ready in 20 minutes, this one brings serious heat that’s balanced by sweet mango. The shrimp cook fast and soak up every bit of flavor. Great for nights when you want something light but loud.
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Sweet & Spicy Indian Chicken
Yogurt and spices marinate the chicken before it’s finished with a sticky maple glaze. It’s spicy, a little sweet, and hits hard. Definitely not your average chicken dinner.
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Spicy Hummus Turkey Chili
Hummus gives this chili a creamy base while the spices turn up the heat. It’s a solid one-pot dinner for cold nights or whenever you want something hearty and hot.
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Sweet & Spicy Pork Ramen Stir Fry
This comes together fast with pork, noodles, vegetables, and a sauce that hits both sweet and spicy notes. It’s quick, easy, and has enough kick to wake up your weeknight routine.
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Chocolate Lamb Chili
This chili leans bold from the first spoonful. The lamb gives it depth, the beans bring texture, and the chocolate adds just enough richness to keep things interesting. It brings a strong, steady heat without going overboard. A great choice if you’re tired of the same old chili.
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Creamy White Bean Chicken Chili With Cauliflower
This one is light on effort and heavy on comfort. White beans and chicken make it filling, while cauliflower keeps it from feeling too heavy. It doesn’t scream heat, but it builds with every bite. Perfect when you want something hearty with a kick.
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Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili
This is one of those recipes where you put everything in and walk away. It comes out creamy with just enough spice to keep things interesting. The salsa verde adds a tangy layer that helps it hold its own among stronger chili recipes.
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Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
This is a fast way to get a bowl of something that feels like it took longer. Chicken, white beans, and corn come together in a creamy base that has a mild burn. It’s smooth, quick, and still earns its place in a list built on bold meals.
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Pork Chili with Butternut and Kale
This chili skips the usual fire but doesn’t skip flavor. The pork brings comfort, the squash adds some sweetness, and the kale gives it bite. It’s great when you want something balanced that still holds its ground.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chili with Butternut and Kale
Creamy White Chicken Chili
This recipe takes under 15 minutes to prep and delivers a full-flavored chili with a creamy texture and a little heat. The lime cuts through the richness just enough. Great for nights when you want something that feels filling without being complicated.
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Chicken Poblano White Bean Chili
Roasted poblanos give this one a noticeable, steady heat without overwhelming the other flavors. Chicken and white beans make it feel like a full meal, and it holds up well if you need to make a big batch.
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White Chicken Chili
This slow cooker favorite is reliable and easy. Creamy and loaded with chicken and white beans, it has just enough spice to stay interesting. It’s perfect for when you want dinner ready without standing in the kitchen.
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Creamy White Bean and Turkey Chili
This is a smart way to use up leftover turkey. The creamy broth and white beans come together quickly, and it carries a light but noticeable heat. Toss on some toppings and it’s dinner with zero stress.
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Chicken Chili Verde
Pulled chicken and roasted poblanos simmer in a green sauce that keeps things mild but flavorful. It doesn’t bring the fire like some others, but it fits the theme with its clean flavor and easy prep.
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Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry
Thick udon noodles get coated in a ginger and sriracha sauce that brings serious heat. With ground beef added in, it’s a fast and filling dinner that doesn’t hold back. Ready in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodle Stir Fry
Spicy Beef and Red Pepper Rice Bowl
This one comes together quickly with stir-fried beef, red peppers, and dried chilis. The egg on top pulls it together, but the heat is what makes it stand out. Great for nights when you want fast and fiery.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Beef and Red Pepper Rice Bowl
Spicy Shrimp Tostadas
These tostadas come loaded with spicy shrimp and a sharp jalapeño avocado sauce. It’s a great option when you want something crisp, fresh, and full of heat without a lot of prep.
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Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu
Lamb and harissa come together in one pan with pasta and tomatoes for a meal that’s rich and spicy. This is a great dinner for anyone who likes heat without needing to reach for hot sauce.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu
Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Kale
Don’t let the pumpkin fool you. This soup has real heat from ginger and spices, balanced with kale and coconut milk. It’s light enough for a starter but strong enough to hold its own.
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Spicy Thai Green Curry Soup with Lentils
This soup is fast, plant-based, and doesn’t hold back. The green curry brings a sharp heat that lingers. Lentils add the protein, and the result is a great meal for anyone who likes strong flavors without a long cook time.
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Spicy Chickpea, Broccoli and Potato Sheet Pan Dinner
Tossed in harissa and roasted until crispy, this sheet pan meal pulls no punches. It’s quick to throw together, easy to clean up, and brings enough heat to keep things interesting.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Chickpea, Broccoli and Potato Sheet Pan Dinner
Spicy Vegan Salsa Verde Soup
Inspired by pozole, this soup brings sharp heat with salsa verde and packs in plant-based protein. It’s fast to prep, easy to make, and has the kind of heat that builds with every bite. Great for a dinner that needs zero babysitting.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Vegan Salsa Verde Soup
Chili Tater Tot Casserole
This one’s all about comfort with a kick. Spiced chili gets topped with golden tater tots and melted cheese. It’s easy to throw together and even easier to finish. Perfect for when you want something cozy with a punch.
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Crockpot White Chicken Chili
You just toss everything in the slow cooker and forget about it until dinnertime. It comes out creamy with a mellow heat that’s still strong enough to count. It fits right in with meals that don’t hold back on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
