Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Chicken breast (Boneless, skinless, seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper)
• 8 ounces Whipped cream cheese (Room temperature for easier mixing)
• 1 cup Sharp cheddar cheese (Shredded)
• 6 slices Bacon (Cooked crispy, reserve some for topping)
• 3 medium Jalapeno peppers (Diced, veins and seeds removed if less spice desired)
• 2 cups Broccoli florets (Cut into small florets)
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder (For seasoning chicken and filling)
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder (For seasoning chicken)
• 1 teaspoon Onion salt (Added to filling for flavor)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt (Added to filling and chicken seasoning)
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (Added to chicken seasoning and filling)
• 2 stalks Green onions (Chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare chicken

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Season 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden brown on top and about 75% cooked through, approximately 15-20 minutes. This step speeds up the baking time later.

   Time: PT20M

   Temperature: Medium heat

2. Dice cooked chicken

   Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes. Then dice it into bite-sized pieces for the casserole.

   Time: PT5M

3. Prepare the filling mixture

   In a mixing bowl, combine 8 ounces of room temperature whipped cream cheese, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and about 4 slices of cooked crispy bacon (reserve remaining bacon for topping). Add 3 diced jalapeno peppers (remove veins and seeds if less spice is desired). Mix well until fully incorporated.

   Time: PT10M

4. Season the filling

   Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion salt, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper to the cheese and jalapeno mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all flavors.

   Time: PT5M

5. Add broccoli to the filling

   Add 2 cups of small broccoli florets to the filling mixture. Mix gently to combine. The broccoli will release moisture during baking, so no additional liquid is needed.

   Time: PT5M

6. Assemble the casserole

   Spread the diced chicken evenly in the bottom of a baking dish. Spoon the broccoli and cheese mixture over the chicken, spreading to cover most of the chicken. Top with remaining crispy bacon slices and additional sliced jalapenos if desired.

   Time: PT5M

7. Bake the casserole

   Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 20 minutes, checking at 15 minutes to ensure it is not overcooking. The casserole is ready when broccoli is tender and cheese is bubbly.

   Time: PT20M

   Temperature: 375°F

8. Garnish and serve

   Remove casserole from oven. Garnish with chopped green onions for added flavor and freshness. Serve warm.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

350

Protein

35g

Carbohydrates

8g

Fat

20g

Fiber

3g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Chicken breast: Rotisserie chicken
• Instead of Whipped cream cheese: Regular cream cheese (softened)
• Instead of Sharp cheddar cheese: Colby jack cheese, Monterey jack cheese
• Instead of Bacon: Turkey bacon
• Instead of Jalapeno peppers: Mild green bell pepper (for no spice)
• Instead of Broccoli florets: Cauliflower florets
• Instead of Garlic powder: Fresh garlic (minced)
• Instead of Onion powder: Fresh onion (finely chopped)
• Instead of Onion salt: Regular salt and onion powder
• Instead of Salt: Sea salt
• Instead of Black pepper: White pepper
• Instead of Green onions: Chives

Equipment Needed

• Oven
• Baking dish
• Skillet or frying pan
• Mixing bowl
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoons
• Spatula or spoon

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Preheat oven and prepare chicken
• Prepare the filling mixture
• Add broccoli to the filling
• Assemble the casserole
• Bake the casserole

Chef Tips from the Video

• Use whipped cream cheese for easier mixing and lighter texture.
• Remove jalapeno veins to control spice level without losing flavor.
• Reserve some bacon for topping to add crispy texture after baking.
• Let chicken rest before dicing to keep it juicy.

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture.

Room temperature: Not recommended to store at room temperature due to dairy and chicken.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Cook chicken and prepare filling mixture in advance, then assemble and bake when ready.
• This casserole reheats well and can be portioned for meal prep.