Creamy Jalapeño Popper Chicken
Jalapeno chicken: bake this creamy, cheesy popper-style dish with bacon. A fantastic weeknight meal with a kick, ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 1.5-2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- salt and pepper
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2-3 jalapeno peppers (seeded and diced, (about 1/2 cup))
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon ((about 6 slices))
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ((or mix of cheddar))
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Layer chicken in a single layer in the baking dish. Season well with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese, milk or cream, and garlic powder. If not room temperature enough, microwave until able to stir together. Spread mixture evenly over chicken.
- Sprinkle jalapeno peppers, bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes or until chicken is done (thighs will take about 10 minutes longer). Remove foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to melt and lightly brown the cheese.
Video
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can lightly brown the chicken before layering it in the baking dish.
- If you prefer less heat, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapenos. For more spice, leave some in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- To ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked, use a meat thermometer. Poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at its thickest part. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- If you prefer less heat, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapenos. For more spice, leave some in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- To ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked, use a meat thermometer. Poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at its thickest part. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.