Chicken in a creamy cheesy sauce with pieces of jalapeno and loads of bacon. This Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is one of the best casseroles ever.
Low Carb, Keto, THM S, Grain & Gluten Free
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.”
Ingredients in Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
- chicken breasts
- cream cheese
- mayo
- sour cream
- shredded cheddar
- bacon crumbles
- jalapeno or poblano peppers
- garlic powder
- salt
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 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.
Can this be a Jalapeno Popper Dip?
Yup. 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.
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!
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 Southwest Cauliflower 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 friend Sarah’s Buffalo Chicken Casserole over at My Montana Kitchen!
Looking for more recipes with a kick? Try this Keto Buffalo Chicken and Baked Chicken Fajitas.
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Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 lb chicken breasts cooked and chopped
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/2 cup bacon crumbles
- 1/2 cup jalapeno or poblano pepper seeded and diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Topping:
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/4 cup crumbled bacon
- 1 thinly sliced and seeded jalapeno optional
Instructions
- Combine the first 8 casserole ingredients in a large bowl. Mix until smooth. Add 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.
Nutrition
Originally Published December 2, 2016. Revised and Republished with a Video on July 21, 2019.
