Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

**Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole** is a creamy, spicy, and satisfying dish that combines the best of two beloved favorites: the irresistible flavors of jalapeño poppers and hearty, comforting chicken casserole. It’s the perfect balance of cheesy, creamy goodness with a touch of heat from the jalapeños.

This casserole is not too heavy and will delight your taste buds without being overly spicy. Whether you’re making this for a weeknight dinner or serving it at a gathering, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Don’t love the spice? You can easily adjust the heat level by using fewer jalapeños or substituting them with milder peppers.

Kitchen Equipment Needed:
– Large skillet
– 9×13-inch baking dish
– Mixing bowls
– Whisk
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Knife and cutting board
– Spatula

—

### Ingredients:
– **For the casserole**:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
– 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
– 1 cup sour cream
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 4-5 fresh jalapeños, seeded and diced (adjust to taste)
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– Salt and pepper, to taste

– **For the topping**:
– ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
– ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs (optional for a crispy topping)
– 2 tablespoons melted butter

—

### Directions:

1. **Preheat the oven** to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.

2. **Cook and shred the chicken**:
– If your chicken breasts aren’t already cooked, you can poach or bake them until fully cooked through. Shred the cooked chicken using two forks.

3. **Prepare the creamy mixture**:
– In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well-combined.

4. **Mix in the chicken and jalapeños**:
– Fold in the shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and diced jalapeños. Make sure everything is evenly distributed.

5. **Assemble the casserole**:
– Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

6. **Add the topping**:
– Sprinkle the additional cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
– If using Panko breadcrumbs, mix them with the melted butter and sprinkle them on top of the cheese for an extra crispy texture.

7. **Bake the casserole**:
– Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.

8. **Cool and serve**:
– Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and makes it easier to slice and serve.

—

### Prep Time:
– 20 minutes

### Cook Time:
– 25 minutes

### Total Time:
– 45 minutes

—

### Nutrition (per serving):
– Calories: 420
– Protein: 30g
– Carbohydrates: 6g
– Fat: 30g
– Fiber: 1g
– Sugar: 2g

This **Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole** is the perfect blend of creamy, cheesy, and spicy in one bite. It’s an excellent dish for dinner parties or weeknight meals and pairs wonderfully with a side of salad or roasted vegetables. For those who prefer a little less heat, simply reduce the amount of jalapeños or opt for the milder variety.

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

is a creamy, spicy, and satisfying dish that combines the best of two beloved favorites: the irresistible flavors of jalapeño poppers and hearty, comforting chicken casserole. It’s the perfect balance of cheesy, creamy goodness with a touch of heat from the jalapeños. This casserole is not too heavy and will delight your taste buds without being overly spicy.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• Large skillet
• 9x13 inch baking dish
• Mixing bowls 
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife and cutting board
• Spatula

Ingredients

  

• - **For the casserole**:
• - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
• - 8 oz cream cheese softened
• - 1 cup sour cream
• - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• - 4-5 fresh jalapeños seeded and diced (adjust to taste)
• - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• - 1 teaspoon onion powder
• - Salt and pepper to taste
• - **For the topping**:
• - ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• - ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs optional for a crispy topping
• - 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

 

• **Preheat the oven** to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
• **Cook and shred the chicken**:
• - If your chicken breasts aren’t already cooked, you can poach or bake them until fully cooked through. Shred the cooked chicken using two forks.
• **Prepare the creamy mixture**:
• - In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well-combined.
• **Mix in the chicken and jalapeños**:
• - Fold in the shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and diced jalapeños. Make sure everything is evenly distributed.
• **Assemble the casserole**:
• - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
• **Add the topping**:
• - Sprinkle the additional cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
• - If using Panko breadcrumbs, mix them with the melted butter and sprinkle them on top of the cheese for an extra crispy texture.
• **Bake the casserole**:
• - Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.
• **Cool and serve**:
• - Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and makes it easier to slice and serve.
• ---
• ### Prep Time:
• - 20 minutes
• ### Cook Time:
• - 25 minutes
• ### Total Time:
• - 45 minutes
• ---
• ### Nutrition (per serving):
• - Calories: 420
• - Protein: 30g
• - Carbohydrates: 6g
• - Fat: 30g
• - Fiber: 1g
• - Sugar: 2g
• This **Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole** is the perfect blend of creamy, cheesy, and spicy in one bite. It's an excellent dish for dinner parties or weeknight meals and pairs wonderfully with a side of salad or roasted vegetables. For those who prefer a little less heat, simply reduce the amount of jalapeños or opt for the milder variety.