Description
Spicy jalapeño popper chicken casserole brings zesty comfort to dinner tables with creamy, cheesy goodness. Hearty ingredients blend perfectly, creating a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless/skinless chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 16 ounces (454 grams) rotini pasta
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 (8 ounces/226 grams) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
- 2 cups (226 grams) Mexican Cheddar Jack shredded cheese, divided
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 6 jalapeno peppers, deseeded and diced
- 6 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Cook rotini pasta according to package directions, ensuring al dente texture. Drain and set aside.
- Cook chicken in a large skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked and no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes. Remove from pan and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté diced jalapeños in the same skillet for 2-3 minutes to release their aromatic flavors.
- Mix softened cream cheese, sour cream, half the shredded cheese, and sautéed jalapeños in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Fold cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, and prepared pasta into the creamy mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the greased casserole dish, spreading evenly and topping with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden-brown crust.
- Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set the creamy texture.
Notes
- Adjust jalapeno quantity based on heat tolerance, removing seeds for milder flavor or adding extra for more kick.
- Swap chicken with rotisserie, turkey, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for diverse dietary needs.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack, cheddar, or mozzarella to customize flavor profile.
- Prepare casserole in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready, making meal prep convenient for busy schedules.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 627 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg