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Weeknight • Chicken

Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Bake

All the irresistible flavors of jalapeño poppers meet tender chicken in a creamy, cheesy, and satisfying oven bake.

Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Bake

Get ready for a flavor explosion! This Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Bake takes everything you love about the classic appetizer – the creamy, spicy, cheesy goodness – and turns it into a hearty, satisfying main course. It's surprisingly simple to assemble and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, perfect for a fun weeknight dinner!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 2-3 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely minced (use 1 for less heat, 3 for more)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp melted butter (for topping)
  • Fresh chives or green onions, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

  2. Step 2

    Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes. In a large bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well coated.

  3. Step 3

    In a separate medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, and minced jalapeños. Mix until well combined and creamy.

  4. Step 4

    Add the seasoned chicken to the cream cheese mixture and stir until all chicken pieces are evenly coated. Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

  5. Step 5

    In a small bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and melted butter. Stir until the breadcrumbs are coated with butter. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the chicken mixture in the baking dish.

  6. Step 6

    Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C), the sauce is bubbly, and the topping is golden brown and crispy.

  7. Step 7

    Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped chives or green onions, if desired. Serve with rice, a simple green salad, or roasted vegetables.

Tips

  • To control the spice, remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapeños for less heat, or leave some in for more kick.
  • For an even faster meal, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Shred and stir into the cream cheese mixture, then reduce baking time to 15-20 minutes, just until heated through and topping is golden.
  • A sprinkle of crumbled cooked bacon on top with the breadcrumbs would make this extra indulgent!

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