Jalapeno Popper Chicken

ALL the good things are in this Jalapeno Popper Chicken! From the saucy, tender chicken to bacon, plenty of cheese, and a bit of a kick from the jalapeno, this tasty casserole is a family favorite and a 1-dish dinner!

Jalapeno Popper Chicken on a blue floral lace plate

Quickly cooking chicken breasts or thighs is the star of this easy dish, and y’all, let me tell you that this recipe is delish! It’s hot and bubbly, saucy, a tiny bit spicy, balcony, and oh-so-good! Plus, it’s the kind of dish you can assemble the night before and then just pop it in the oven when you get home. 
If you love the flavor of jalapeno poppers, then you’ll LOVE this dish! I especially love that I can easily double or even triple this recipe to feed a crowd. It keeps hot nicely in the casserole dish, so it’s great for potlucks, family dinners, and everything in between.

Is Jalapeno Popper Chicken Spicy?

This easy chicken casserole isn’t that spicy. Sure, it’s got a few jalapenos in it, and it does have a bit of a kick, but most of the spice cooks out, and you’re left with a mild spice flavor that’s also tempered by the creamy sauce.

I suggest removing the seeds and inner membrane of the jalapenos before adding them to the dish. The seeds are tough to chew, and most of the heat is in the spice and inner ribs. If you remove that, jalapenos become much less spicy. However, if you would like to keep the spice of the jalapenos – leave the seeds in there… or discard just a portion for a more medium spice level.

If you’re worried about the spice level, taste a bit of the jalapeno. Not all jalapenos are spicy! I’ve gotten some from the store with hardly any heat at all.

If you want your chicken dish super spicy, add a serrano chili in addition to the jalapenos.

Jalapeno popper chicken on a blue floral lace plate

Ingredients

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cream cheese – At room temperature.
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Jalapeno peppers – Seeded and diced.
  • Bacon – Cooked until crisp and crumbled.
  • Cheddar cheese – Shredded.
  • Green onions – Chopped. Optional but so tasty!