Description
Savory jalapeño popper chicken casserole merges creamy cheese and spicy peppers into a mouthwatering meal. Ranch seasoning and crispy bacon elevate this comforting dish that delivers bold southwestern flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 pound bacon
Cheeses:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (113 grams) mozzarella cheese
Seasonings and Peppers:
- 3 jalapenos
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- Render bacon until achieving a golden crisp texture, then delicately fragment into small pieces.
- Position chicken breasts in a prepared baking vessel, generously seasoning with aromatic garlic and onion powders, complemented by salt and pepper.
- Carefully spread a smooth layer of softened cream cheese across the chicken surface, ensuring even coverage.
- Distribute freshly chopped jalapenos across the cream cheese layer, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and roast for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until chicken reaches complete doneness and develops a golden exterior.
- Elegantly scatter the previously prepared bacon fragments over the melted cheese layer.
- Return the casserole to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to allow bacon to crisp and flavors to meld.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and flavors to intensify before serving.
Notes
- Control jalapeno heat by removing seeds and membranes for milder flavor or keeping them for extra spiciness.
- Create a low-carb version by using full-fat cream cheese and skipping any breadcrumb toppings.
- Prep bacon ahead of time to reduce overall cooking time and make assembly quicker and easier.
- Ensure chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg