Description
Jalapeno popper chicken casserole delivers creamy, spicy comfort with crispy bacon and melted cheese. Home cooks can enjoy this quick, satisfying meal that brings zesty southwestern flavors to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 Chicken breasts
- 6 slices Bacon
Cheese and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) Cream cheese
- 2 cups (226 grams) Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) Heavy cream
Seasonings and Peppers:
- 2 Jalapenos
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 375F (190C), ensuring a perfectly prepped cooking environment.
- Render bacon in a skillet until achieving a crisp, golden texture, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Arrange cooked chicken breasts in a single, even layer within the casserole dish, creating a foundational protein base.
- Gently spread softened cream cheese across the chicken surface, creating a rich and creamy barrier.
- Enhance the flavor profile by sprinkling garlic and onion powder evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Distribute thinly sliced jalapenos across the dish, providing a spicy kick to the casserole.
- Generously cover the surface with shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Drizzle heavy cream methodically over the entire dish, allowing it to seep between the layers.
- Crumble the previously cooked bacon and scatter the pieces across the top, adding a crunchy texture and smoky flavor.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese becomes bubbly and develops a golden-brown crust.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by removing jalapeno seeds for a milder version or adding extra peppers for heat lovers.
- Swap chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken for quicker preparation and deeper flavor.
- Choose low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar to create a lighter, healthier casserole without sacrificing taste.
- Ensure bacon is extra crispy before crumbling to provide maximum crunch and textural contrast in the final dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg