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    Home » Main Dish Recipes » Casseroles » Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

    Gluten & Grain Free RecipesLow Carb & Keto RecipesTrim Healthy Mama Recipes

    Published: Aug 4, 2020 by Taryn

    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
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    pinterest image for jalapeno popper chicken casserole

    Chicken in a creamy cheesy sauce with pieces of jalapeno and loads of crispy bacon. This Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is one of the best casseroles ever. You can control the heat level so everyone from small kids to adventurous adults will enjoy it. This easy chicken casserole recipe is low carb, keto, gluten-free, grain-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.

    A wooden plate with jalapeno popper chicken casserole on it and a salad in the background.

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    When I decided to make this for dinner I knew I needed another jalapeno to slice to put on top. So, I called my husband and asked if he could stop at the farmer's market. He said yes. Great. And then he was late. So I had to bake the Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole without the sliced jalapenos on top. Not a big deal until I topped it with raw ones and he said, "You know you aren't supposed to serve raw jalapenos? You should blanch those first."

    Since then we have explored other types of peppers and ways to use jalapenos. Make sure to try my Low Carb Jalapeno Popper Dip, Bacon Jalapeno Poppers, and my Keto Chile Relleno Casserole.

    A Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole in a glass casserole dish with shredded cheese and bacon on top

    How to Cook Chicken for Casseroles

    To cook the chicken for this jalapeno popper chicken casserole I put it in a 9 x 13 casserole dish, cover it with foil, and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes until it is 160 degrees on a meat thermometer. These were huge chicken breasts. You may need to adjust the time depending on the size of your chicken.

    The main trick for chicken casseroles is not using dry chicken. Make sure to take the chicken out of the oven once it reaches 157 degrees and let it rest to go up to 160. That way your chicken casserole will not be dry!

    Alternatively, you can always used shredded chicken from a rotisserie chicken or just leftover chicken instead.

    How To Make Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

    There are some meals that make me drool when I think of them, and this is one of them. Even the children will have happy plates when I make this!

    Expert Tip: See that pic below? You can just stop here and eat that creamy mixture with a spoon if you want. Or use it as a dip. It is awesome just as is.

    sauce for the casserole in large bowl

    First Step: In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, diced jalapeño peppers, salt, and garlic powder. Mix until combined and smooth. 

    chicken placed in a casserole dish next to a mixing bowl of jalapeno popper dip and cutting board with a fork and large knife

    Second Step: Pour the casserole mixture into a casserole dish. Add some more bacon, shredded cheese, and sliced jalapeños on top. 

    overhead view of jalapeno popper chicken casserole in baking dish

    Third Step: Bake the casserole at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. When it’s bubbly and hot, it’s ready to serve. It pairs well with a side salad. 

    Can you believe that it’s this simple to make jalapeno chicken casserole? Besides the flavor, this is one of our go-to recipes because it’s beyond simple. 

    Can I Double This Recipe?

    Yes, of course, you can double this jalapeno popper chicken casserole recipe. I will let you know that this makes 8 servings that will feed a whole crew of hungry people. So depending on how many people you are cooking for, you will just need to double or triple the ingredients. 

    The jalapeno chicken casserole will last in the fridge for 3-4 days, so it’s easy to make in advance too. Before serving, just warm it up in the oven or microwave, and you will be all set. 

    close up of the casserole on a wooden plate

    Is This Chicken Casserole Spicy?

    No, the jalapenos don’t make this jalapeño popper chicken casserole spicy. As jalapeno peppers are seeded, then diced they lose a lot of their heat. They are delicious but don’t give you lots of spice and heat. If you want it to be spicier, you can add more jalapenos, some cayenne pepper, or even some red pepper flakes to the dish. 

    Looking for more recipes with a kick? Try this Keto Buffalo Chicken and my Baked Chicken Fajitas.

    Is Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole Healthy?

    In addition to being low carb, grain-free, and gluten-free, this chicken casserole is also really healthy for you too. 

    • Chicken - The chicken itself has lots of protein, vitamin B6, niacin, calcium, zinc, and iron. Those all seem like great reasons to eat chicken! 
    • Cheddar Cheese - Cheese is more than just the most amazing topping for almost any meal! It’s also full of vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. 
    • Bacon - While you should eat a diet that primarily consists of bacon, there are many advantages to eating it. You will find that there is protein, iron, selenium, b vitamins, phosphorus, and potassium. Plus, we all know how great it tastes too!
    • Jalapenos - Whether they are eaten fresh or cooked, jalapenos are a great source of vitamin C as well as potassium. It’s also rich in vitamin K, vitamin B, and antioxidants. 

    So, as you can see, you will get various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from eating this meal. Plus, it’s straightforward, so it’s a great meal to add to your list of favorites.

    Jalapeno peppers close up

    Raw Jalapenos vs Cooked Jalapenos

    I'm not a big fan of very spicy food. I like a little kick but not having my mouth hurt. Cooked jalapenos are milder than raw jalapenos. Both are edible, raw jalapenos are used in salsas a lot, but these jalapeno slices were supposed to be baked on top of the casserole.

    But I really wanted to share this with you today. And my kids really wanted dinner at the usual time. So it got topped with raw jalapenos. Que Sera, Sera. I can hear my grandmother singing it in my head whenever I think of that song.

    What should I serve with Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole?

    I like to serve this with a green salad with my Paleo Ranch Dressing but any non-starchy vegetable will work as a side dish. Other good choices are Oven-Roasted Green Beans or Keto Cauliflower Potato Salad.

    If you enjoy a little kick to your food (and you probably do since you are looking at a jalapeno recipe after all) make sure to try my Jalapeno Popper Hasselback Chicken and my friend Sarah's Buffalo Chicken Casserole over at My Montana Kitchen!

    For a milder flavorful casserole, my Keto Philly Cheesesteak Chicken Casserole can't be beaten!

    keto chicken jalapeno popper casserole on a wood plate with a side salad

    Like what you see? Follow me on Facebook! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!

    A wooden plate with jalapeno popper chicken casserole on it and a salad in the background.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

    Chicken in a creamy cheesy sauce with pieces of jalapeno and loads of bacon. This keto Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is one of the best casseroles ever.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Course: dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 418
    Author: Taryn

    Ingredients

    Casserole Ingredients

    • 2 lb chicken breasts cooked and chopped
    • 8 oz cream cheese
    • ½ cup mayo
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ½ cup shredded cheddar
    • ½ cup bacon crumbles
    • ½ cup jalapeno or poblano pepper seeded and diced
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Topping Ingredients

    • ¼ cup shredded cheddar
    • ¼ cup crumbled bacon
    • 1 thinly sliced and seeded jalapeno optional
    US Customary - Metric
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    Instructions

    • Combine the casserole ingredients (except the chicken) in a large bowl. Mix until smooth. Fold in the cooked chicken. 
    • Put into a greased casserole dish. Top with the reserved cheddar, bacon, and sliced jalapenos (if using).
    • Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until bubbly and hot. Serve with a side salad.

    Notes

    Nutrition: this casserole has 8 servings. Each serving has 2 NET carbs.
    To Reheat: warm up the jalapeno popper chicken casserole in the microwave or oven. I usually use the microwave for individual-sized servings instead of the entire meal. Otherwise, the oven is the way to go—350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  
    To Freeze: keep the casserole in an airtight container, and it will last 2-3 months in the freezer—Thaw before heating up and serving. 
    Substitutions: you can swap the chicken for turkey, ground beef, or shredded pork. You can also swap the bacon for turkey bacon too. 
    Prep Time: cook the chicken and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to make the casserole. Prepare the bacon ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator. Chop up the jalapeno until ready to use.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 418 | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 606mg | Potassium: 522mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 680IU | Vitamin C: 8.2mg | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @joyfilledeats or tag #joyfilledeats!

    Originally Published December 2, 2016. Revised and Republished with a Video on August 4, 2020.

     

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    Comments

    1. cindy says

      January 20, 2022 at 2:42 pm

      This casserole is delicious! I like to add cooked broccoli to it, to sneak a few more veggies in, and that also makes it a one dish meal! My family really likes it!! Thanks for the tasty recipes, Taryn!

      Reply
    2. Cindy A Rose says

      November 07, 2020 at 1:46 pm

      GREAT RECIPE!!! Similar to another recipe I cook, I thought I would pass it along....it has Ritz Crackers crushed on top, I'm going to try the next time! I made frozen Carrots, Broccoli & Cauliflower mix, as well as Garlic Butter! Not Keto I'm sure 😊 but OMG, GREAT!!! Other reviews comment about adding into casserole, good ideal, will try that, as well!! Very versatile casserole!!- THANK YOU!!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Deb says

      October 26, 2020 at 11:19 pm

      I LOVE this recipe!!!!!! I add onions and pre-cook chicken then chop it up!5 stars

      Reply
    4. ME says

      July 19, 2020 at 2:52 pm

      Did you shred the chicken?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        July 20, 2020 at 2:07 pm

        No, I just cut it into bite-sized pieces. You can shred it if you prefer.

        Reply
    5. Keenetha says

      June 07, 2020 at 2:15 pm

      OMG I cooked this but I put some broccoli in it and it was sooo delicious!! Thanks so much for such a great recipe!!

      Reply
    6. Jana Gunter says

      February 24, 2020 at 9:57 pm

      I'm thinking about adding a couple of eggs to this recipe, to fluff it up and add a little more substance. Would that work out? And would it affect the freezablitly?

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        February 25, 2020 at 8:25 am

        I've never put eggs in any of my casseroles so honestly, I'm not sure. Eggs are used in ricotta based lasagna filling so I think it would work.

        Reply
    7. Angie says

      February 23, 2020 at 9:11 pm

      This is so amazing. I have made it 3 times now. It's a cinch to make and delicious.5 stars

      Reply
    8. Merry says

      January 25, 2020 at 8:24 pm

      This was very tasty. I used a little less jalapenos because I didn't want it too hot. Next time I'll use the full amount. I even got my very picky husband to try this for dinner tonight and he gave a thumbs up!!5 stars

      Reply
    9. Tina says

      July 10, 2019 at 1:07 pm

      My family loves eating this wrapped in a tortilla! (Low carb tortilla for myself)
      And we add the bacon to our wraps cause we are all about crispy crispy bacon! 🙂

      Reply
    10. Brandy says

      May 07, 2019 at 1:47 pm

      Happy Forks recipe analyzer has this at 4.64 g of carbs per serving

      Reply
      • Taryn says

        May 07, 2019 at 3:16 pm

        Most recipe calculators vary a bit. If you prefer to use that one that is fine by me. I try to provide nutrition data as a courtesy. User-generated databases can be very off. MFP was defaulting garlic powder to be over 100 grams of carbs per tsp.

        Reply
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