How do i improve my hot and spicy chicken breast recipes so that the heat isn't an after taste? This was my recipe from last week:


  Chicken Breast Marinade (this is after cutting them up into small pieces):
  
  
  Yogurt
  Sriracha
  Lemon Juice
  Black Pepper
  
  
  Marinate for 30 minutes.
  
  Caramelized Onions
  
  
  Black Pepper
  Salt
  Turmeric
  Soy Sauce (when the pan looks dry, only add a little bit)
  
  
  Cook 2 minutes on each side on a hot pan or when the sauce dries up which gives the best flavor.


My other recipe for whole grilled chicken breast:


  Marinate (30 minutes)
  
  
  Salt n Black Pepper
  Chili Powder
  Lemon Juice
  
  
  Toss on grill for 6 minutes on each side.


above are just a very roughly written recipes

The problem I have with both is that the hotness or spiciness does not kick in when you eat the chicken; it kicks in as an after taste. I want it to be enjoyably hot, not excessively hot: I've refrained from adding in chili peppers--we have a ton of dried peppers that are very spicy at home. I don't know what to do to achieve what I want: hot but kicks but not too hot but also enjoyable.
You need chili. Most of your heat comes from black pepper, which is different from the heat in chili, and isn't as strong or long lasting. Chili heat is immediate, persistent, lasts and builds up as you eat more so that's where you want to go. The thing is to control the heat by modifying the strength and amount of the chili you use. There's so much variation in chilis, from mild to tonsil-destruction, you just need to find a one you like and add the right amount. Some experimentation is in order.

One easy step would be to add some chili powder to your marinade and see how you like it. A more immediate chili may come from fresh chili in a salsa or barbecue sauce that goes on the side. Marinades only penetrate a little way, all the flavor is on the outside, a sauce would give you heat throughout, and fresh chili tends to be a more immediate flavor. There are plenty of mild varieties to try.