Description
Jalapeño Popper Chicken is a delicious and spicy twist on a classic dinner dish, featuring chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy, cheesy jalapeño and bacon filling, topped with crispy breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon (about 4 slices)
- 2–3 fresh jalapeños, diced (remove seeds for less heat)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- In another bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and diced jalapeños. Mix until well combined.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Using a sharp knife, create a pocket in each chicken breast by slicing horizontally, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Stuff each chicken breast pocket with the cream cheese mixture, dividing it evenly among the breasts.
- In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil until the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the stuffed chicken breasts.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Optional: For a crispy topping, broil the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, leave some seeds in the jalapeños or add a dash of hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture.
- Substitute the chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a juicier option, or use turkey for a leaner alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg