Description
Spicy jalapeño popper chicken casserole delivers comfort and heat in one irresistible dish. Creamy, cheesy layers with crisp bacon and zesty peppers promise a flavor explosion that brings friends and family together at the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 cups (960 ml) cooked, shredded chicken
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Cheese and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 3–4 fresh jalapenos, diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup (60 ml) green onions, chopped (optional)
- ½ cup (120 ml) crushed pork rinds or crushed Ritz crackers (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375F (190C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light protective layer to prevent sticking.
- Create a luxurious filling by blending softened cream cheese with sour cream, infusing delicate notes of garlic and onion powders, and seasoning with salt and pepper until achieving a silky smooth consistency.
- Incorporate tender shredded chicken into the creamy base, introducing vibrant diced jalapenos for a spicy kick, then generously fold in a portion of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
- Distribute the aromatic chicken mixture evenly across the prepared baking dish, ensuring a uniform layer that promises maximum flavor in every bite.
- Enhance the casserole’s texture by sprinkling the remaining cheese across the surface, then artfully scatter crispy bacon crumbles for an added layer of savory complexity.
- Craft a crunchy topping by combining crushed pork rinds or crackers with melted butter, then delicately distribute this golden-brown layer across the casserole’s summit.
- Transfer the assembled dish to the preheated oven, allowing it to bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the surface turns a tempting golden brown and the interior becomes irresistibly bubbly.
- Complete the culinary creation by garnishing with freshly chopped green onions, adding a final burst of color and freshness.
- Allow the casserole to rest briefly, letting the flavors meld and settle before serving this indulgent dish to eager diners.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeño quantity or removing seeds for milder flavor.
- Replace pork rinds with gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the dish suitable for different dietary needs.
- Use rotisserie chicken for faster preparation and enhanced convenience.
- Consider adding cream cheese alternatives like Greek yogurt for lighter version, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg