Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

This easy Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is one of my favorite recipes and is best summed up in three words: simple, spicy, and sublime. Tender chicken and crispy bacon are baked in a creamy sauce brimming with spicy jalapenos and melty cheese. This jalapeño popper casserole is comfort food on a whole new level that your entire family will enjoy!

Bar food meets the classic casserole in this Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole. This easy recipe is made with simple ingredients, but the flavors will have you dancing around your kitchen.

Like my Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole and my Chicken Garlic Parmesan Casserole, this easy chicken casserole is so simple.

It’s made in under an hour, but that time can be made even shorter with a couple time-saving tips I’ve included below. You can also adapt the heat level to suit your family’s tastes by switching out your pepper of choice for the perfect amount of heat.

If you’re a fan of jalapeño poppers, comfort food, easy recipes, and family-friendly dinners, then you’re going to love this jalapeño popper chicken casserole recipe. 

Why Try This Jalapeño Chicken Casserole

• Delicious – If you love jalapeno poppers or spicy food in general, this delicious meal is one your whole family will love.
• Easy Recipe – This easy chicken casserole is made with simple ingredients you likely already have.      
• Quick Recipe – Ready in under an hour and a great way to use leftover chicken.

Ingredients for Jalapeno Popper Chicken

This delicious jalapeno popper chicken casserole uses simple, fresh ingredients to deliver a maximum flavor

Chicken Breast – cooked and chopped. You can also use shredded chicken.

Garlic Salt – if all you have is garlic powder, add a little pinch of salt to the seasoning

Paprika 

Cream Cheese – softened at room temp

Heavy Cream

Chicken Broth – use chicken stock for an even bigger flavor boost

Jalapeño Peppers – use fresh jalapeño peppers, not canned or jarred.

Cheddar Cheese – freshly shredded is best for melting

Crispy Bacon – crumbled or chopped pieces

Equipment Needed To Make 

• Large bowl
• Saucepan
• Baking pan

Substitutions & Alterations

• If spicy jalapeños aren’t your thing you can use green bell peppers, poblanos, or anaheim peppers
• Change up the cheese for your favorite type or blend. A Mexican blend or Monterey Jack would be really good on this.
• Substitute turkey bacon for pork bacon.

How to Make Jalapeno Cheddar Chicken Casserole

This is a Step by Step Instructions overview – For the full recipe instructions, see the recipe card below. 

Step 1 – Cut and season the chicken breast with the garlic and paprika.

Step 2 – Cook chicken over medium-high heat in a large skillet until cooked through and golden brown.

Step 3 – Transfer cooked chicken to the prepared casserole dish. In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, chicken broth and heavy cream and pour the cream cheese mixture over chicken in the baking dish.

Step 4 -.Prepare jalapenos. Add to top of the casserole

Step 5 –  .Add shredded cheese.

Step 6 – .Add bacon pieces. Top with cheese and bake as directed.

Top with a few jalapeño slices if desired.

Time Saving Tips & Tricks

• Chop and cook the chicken ahead of time either the night before or in the morning to save time 
• You can also use precooked chicken or rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to save time
• Prepare jalapenos ahead of time. Remember to remove all the seeds from the peppers if you want to reduce the heat. 
• Wear latex, rubber or vinyl gloves when handling the peppers and don’t forget to wash your hands a few times when finished.
• You can precook/fry regular bacon instead of microwaved bacon. 
• Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container.

How to Serve Jalapeno Chicken Casserole

• Serve this casserole over white or brown rice, cauliflower rice or even pasta
• Top with a dollop of sour cream and more jalapenos or sliced green onions
• Serve with this Jiffy Jalapeno Cornbread or Easy Golden Cornbread (with or without more jalapeno peppers)
• Pair it with these Chorizo Potatoes or Baked Sweet Potatoes and a simple side salad

How to Store Leftover Chicken Casserole

Allow the casserole to cool completely before storing to avoid condensation or excess moisture. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days

You can also freeze cooled casserole for up to 6 months.

What to Make Next

Love jalapeño flavor? My Hot Corn Dip with Jalapeños is a great appetizer to serve with this meal. Be sure to also try my Chili Relleno Casserole.

For more delicious Jalapeño recipes – try my Simple Jalapeño Poppers, Best Jalapeño Popper dip, and my Jalapeño Popper Wontons. All are easy and all have great flavor!

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Raquel Pineira

This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is an easy weeknight meal idea. Tender chicken is combined with jalapeños, cheese, bacon and spices for a flavorful meal. Great as a make ahead casserole dish and delicious!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Easy Dinner Ideas

Cuisine American

Servings 5

Calories 464 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  Large Bowl
• ▢
  casserole dish

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 lb boneless chicken breast
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup of heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 6-7 jalapeño peppers
• 4 oz cheddar cheese grated
• 1/2 cup microwave bacon

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 375° and dice up your chicken. Place the chicken in a medium bowl and season with the garlic salt and paprika, stir. In a large pan add 1 tbsp of vegetable oil or spray the pan, add the chicken and cook on a medium to high heat until cooked through.
• Once the chicken is done, add it to a 9×13 baking dish. In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, chicken broth and heavy cream, stir until everything is mixed together and no longer chunky. Pour all over the chicken in the baking dish.
• Slice the peppers either into long strips without the seeds or you can slice them into circles with the seeds for more heat. Lay them all over top of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the freshly grated cheddar cheese all over top.
• Microwave the bacon and crumple it up into small pieces then sprinkle on top. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden. This part is optional but you can top with more jalapeños if you’d like.

Notes

You can shred a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days

If you don’t want this super spicy remember to have no seeds left on the peppers.

Nutrition

Calories: 464kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 47gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 185mgSodium: 1010mgPotassium: 795mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1103IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 216mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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