6 Spicy Dinners That Will Heat Up Your Winter
Spice, spice, baby!
Teri Lyn Fisher
To know me is to know that I’m all about spice. I routinely douse my foods in hot sauce and when I feel a little under the weather, I’ll eat some extra-hot foods to try to flush it out (it sounds weird, but I promise it helps). Though I can eat a spicy meal any time of the year, I especially love them in the winter — after all, who isn’t looking for warmth in any way they can get it? The next time you need to heat up a cold night, try one of these six spicy dinners.
Cajun Chicken Alfredo (pictured above)
Guy Fieri knows a thing or two about big and bold flavors. Need proof? His fan-favorite Cajun Chicken Alfredo, which has more than 400 five-star reviews. He dredges chicken breast in a fiery blackening spice, then balances the heat with a rich and creamy alfredo sauce.
Fair warning — this dish is not meant for the faint of heart. Inspired by the famous Nashville hot chicken, Trisha begins by making a cayenne-spiced oil, which she incorporates into her chili in stages throughout the cooking process. To emphasize the flavor even more, Trisha stirs in a few teaspoons of hot sauce and tops the whole thing with plenty of chopped pickles.
Brian David Photography
Vegans, we’ve got your back. Emily Weinberger mimics the meaty texture of sloppy Joes with a mixture of mushrooms, chopped walnuts and bell peppers. Next, she stirs in a saucy combination of ketchup, beer, tomato paste and chipotle chile powder. The kicker? A dollop (or two) of pickled jalapenos on top.
Cooking a romantic dinner for two? You’ll fall in love with Katie Lee’s spicy pasta, which was inspired by the meals that she and her husband often make together. If using fresh lobster seems a bit intimidating, swapping it with frozen or steamed lobster is totally fine.
Renee Comet
Did you know you can pressure cook an eggplant? Thanks to your Instant Pot, the eggplant for this recipe is pre-cooked in just 20 minutes — no peeling or roasting required. Once cooked, the softened eggplant is cut into chunks and stirred into a spicy, fragrant curry complete with peas, tomatoes and onion. Don’t skip the rice for serving!
Antonis Achilleos
This flavorful soup is both warm and spicy — so key for a chilly day. The spice comes from harissa, a North African chili pepper paste. It lends a deep, warm flavor to the brothy soup, which is loaded with Swiss chard, pita chips and hard-boiled egg. If you prefer a really spicy soup, add an extra spoonful of harissa or a shake of hot sauce on top!
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