This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is all about spicing up your weekly meal plan!
If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner to spice things up, look no further! I’m constantly looking for creative meals that don’t take too much effort, and this jalapeño popper chicken casserole is one of my new favorites.
If you’re familiar with my recipes you know I’m all about a meal that takes minimal prep, minimal dishwashing, and minimal ingredients, and that’s one reason I’ve been keen on easy casseroles lately. And by the way, FFF has no shortage of ideas – just check out these 45 Healthy Casserole Recipes next time you’re looking for dinner options!
This casserole took inspiration from my recent recipe for Grilled Jalapeño Poppers. They were sooo delicious, and such a hit at my football kickoff party! I wanted to bring that dish’s creamy, decadent filling and chile-pepper heat to other meals. And then it hit me: why not a casserole? Try and succeed I did! I already know this spicy casserole is going to be a go-to dinner for years to come. I love a dish with some heat, and the jalapeños in this one add just enough kick to the creamy, cheesy base. Chicken turns the fun popper concept from appetizer to main dish, and few can resist a little garnish of bacon!
Is Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole Healthy?
The delicious creaminess of the casserole comes from cream cheese and cheddar, two ingredients that are high in fat. On the plus side, it contains a generous amount of lean chicken breast that contributes to an impressive 30 grams of protein per serving. I recommend you enjoy it in moderation and add healthy sides like crunchy green beans or a refreshing salad. You can also try a meatless version by ditching the chicken, adding black beans and rice, and topping it with breadcrumbs instead of bacon for a different kind of crunch.
What’s A Casserole, and What’s So Great About It?
A casserole is a one-dish meal that’s served in the same oven-proof dish that it’s baked in – a dish that is itself known as a casserole. For me, a casserole is typically creamy and loaded up with goodness. What I love about them, aside from their invitation to get creative with your food, is that you can essentially just throw everything together, place it in the oven, and be done with cooking! And talk about convenient: You can almost always assemble casseroles ahead and leftovers are usually super-easy to reheat.
How to make ahead and store
You can assemble this jalapeño popper chicken casserole a day or two ahead of time, cover it and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake and serve it up. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and easily reheat in the microwave or oven.
Serving Suggestions
Jalapeño popper chicken casserole is a great main or side dish and is perfect to take to your next potluck or holiday gathering. If you’re making it for weeknight dinner I recommend serving it with light, refreshing sides to offset its richness. A simple Vegan Caesar Salad is crisp and tangy, and I also love serving my casserole with Sweet Vegan Cornbread!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts chopped into cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 10 ounces jalapeño peppers seeded and sliced
- 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 1/3 cup cooked bacon crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
- Toss the chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat and add chicken once the oil is hot. Brown the chicken pieces for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Place chicken breast pieces in a large casserole dish. Spread the softened cream cheese evenly over the chicken.
- Layer sliced jalapeño peppers over the cream cheese. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with crumbled bacon, and return to oven for an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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