Inspired by a the classic appetizer of jalapeno poppers, this chicken is cheesy, creamy and a little bit spicy.

It’s made with simple ingredients and makes the perfect weeknight dinner.

Just like my 5 minute jalapeno popper dip, this chicken bake recipe has the classic flavors of your favorite appetizer but in a fun new way!

Why you’ll love this easy chicken recipe

• This recipe has all of the flavors of your favourite appetizer jalapeño poppers but for dinner!
• It’s one of my favorite easy dinner recipes because I love a spicier dish. But don’t fret, you can adjust the spice level to your liking so that the whole family will enjoy the recipe.
• This jalapeno popper chicken is a great way to shake up dinnertime with new and fun flavours.

Ingredients needed

Chicken: boneless skinless chicken breasts are used in this recipe; make sure you choose chicken breasts that are a similar size / even thickness so they cook evenly when baked.

Bacon: slices of bacon are crisped in a frying pan first and then is used to top the chicken for more flavour!

Cream cheese: softened cream cheese is mixed with seasonings and grated cheese in a mixing bowl for the creamiest jalapeno popper chicken topping.

Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper are all classic jalapeno popper seasonings.

Jalapeno: fresh jalapenos bring the spicy heat to this recipe; you can control the level of heat by using 1-2 tbsp of the diced jalapeno in the cream cheese mixture.

Cheddar cheese: a must for this recipe! I like using a mild / medium cheddar but you could even use a marble cheese or sharp cheddar cheese if desired.

Bread crumbs: I like to add panko breadcrumbs for a bit of crunch.

How to make jalapeno popper chicken

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400F and give a casserole dish or baking sheet a spray with cooking spray of choice. Set aside.

Step 2: Cut the jalapenos: remove the stem and then cut down the middle and remove the seeds. Then, dice the jalapeno into pretty small pieces to mix with the cream cheese. Make sure to wash your hands after handling the jalapeno!

Step 3: Make the cream cheese mixture: In a small bowl, mix together cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, pinch of salt and pepper, 1-2 tbsp diced jalapeno (use more or less depending on how much spice you like) and 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Set aside.

Step 4: Cook the bacon: In a large skillet on medium heat cook the bacon until crisp. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the pan to a paper-towel lined plate and then chop it up into small pieces once cooled. Leave the bacon grease in the pan. (If using bacon bits or pre-cooked bacon, add 1 tbsp olive oil to the pan to cook the chicken in).

Step 5: Sear the chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides generously with salt and pepper. Put the pan back on medium-high heat and add the chicken breasts. Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the pan from the heat.

Step 6: Add the seared chicken breasts to the greased baking dish or sheet pan.

Step 7: Divide the cream cheese mixture between the chicken breasts, spreading on top of each. Then top each chicken breast with 1/4 cup shredded cheese and about 1 tbsp breadcrumbs and 1 tbsp of chopped bacon.

Step 8: Bake the chicken for 20-26 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165F and the cheese is melted. Top with fresh jalapenos if desired and then serve.

Expert tips for making this jalapeno popper chicken recipe

• When cutting jalapenos, make sure to remove the stem and then cut down the middle and remove the seeds. Then, dice the jalapeno into pretty small pieces to mix with the cream cheese. Make sure to wash your hands after handling the jalapeno!
• If you want to get ahead on prepping this dinner recipe you can shred the cheese and make the cream cheese mixture ahead of time then store in the fridge. Take out the cream cheese mixture while you’re searing the chicken so it can warm up a bit. Then, it will be more spreadable when you add it to the chicken before baking.
• Be sure to cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165F.
• If you don’t have cream cheese, you can substitute with equal parts sour cream and greek yogurt. It won’t be quite as thick as using cream cheese but it should still do the trick!
• You can make this recipe dairy free too! Substitute the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese for dairy-free versions and the recipe should still taste just as good

Common Questions

How spicy will this recipe be?
This recipe will definitely have some heat to it! Do remember that the jalapenos will decrease slightly in spice level as they’re baked. However, I recommend adding 1 tbsp of diced jalapeno to the cream cheese mixture and tasting it first. Then adjust the heat by adding 1 tbsp more diced jalapeno if you want to increase the spice level further.

Can I skip cooking the bacon?
If you have crispy bacon on hand already like bacon bits, sear the chicken in 1 tbsp of olive oil instead and then follow the rest of the recipe using the crispy bacon on hand for the chicken topping.

Will chicken thighs work in this recipe?
This recipe has only been tested with chicken breasts; however, if you choose to try using boneless chicken thighs, they may cook quicker so keep an eye on the cook time and start checking to see if the chicken thighs are done after about 18 minutes.

best served with

• Delicious served with a favourite grain like rice and an easy green salad.
• Side dishes like these three (carrots, brussels sprouts and potatoes!)
• This would also be tasty with mashed potatoes!

how to store leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refridgerator for 3-4 days. To reheat add the chicken to a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 400F. Reheat for 10-15 minutes or just just warmed through. I recommend cutting the chicken breasts in half or in thirds as they will reheat more quickly.

more chicken recipes to love from the blog

Easy Healthy Baked Lemon Chicken

One Pan Baked Chicken with Tomatoes & Oregano

Easy Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken with Vegetables

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The Best-Ever Baked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Recipe

Shake up your dinner routine with this jalapeno popper chicken! Creamy, cheesy & with flavors of the classic jalapeno popper appetizer.

Course dinner

Cuisine american-inspired

Keyword chicken, jalapeno, one pan baked chicken

Servings 4

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 4 slices of bacon
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup softened cream cheese
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1-2 tbsp diced fresh jalapeno
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• pinch salt and pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 tbsp breadcrumbs
• extra fresh slices of jalapeno for garnish

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400F and give a casserole dish or baking sheet a spray with cooking spray of choice. Set aside.
• Cut the jalapenos: remove the stem and then cut down the middle and remove the seeds. Then, dice the jalapeno into pretty small pieces to mix with the cream cheese. Make sure to wash your hands after handling the jalapeno!
• Make the cream cheese mixture: In a small bowl, mix together cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, pinch of salt and pepper, 1-2 tbsp diced jalapeno (use more or less depending on how much spice you like) and 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Set aside.
• Cook the bacon: In a large skillet on medium heat cook the bacon until crisp. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the pan to a paper-towel lined plate and then chop it up into small pieces once cooled. Leave the bacon grease in the pan. (If using bacon bits or pre-cooked bacon, add 1 tbsp olive oil to the pan to cook the chicken in).
• Sear the chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides generously with salt and pepper. Put the pan back on medium-high heat and add the chicken breasts. Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Add the seared chicken breasts to the greased baking dish or sheet pan.
• Divide the cream cheese mixture between the chicken breasts, spreading on top of each. Then top each chicken breast with 1/4 cup shredded cheese each and about 1 tbsp breadcrumbs and 1 tbsp of chopped bacon.
• Bake the chicken for 20-26 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165F and the cheese is melted. Top with fresh jalapenos if desired and then serve.

Notes

• If you want to get ahead on prepping this dinner recipe you can shred the cheese and make the cream cheese mixture ahead of time then store in the fridge. Take out the cream cheese mixture while you're searing the chicken so it can warm up a bit. Then, it will be more spreadable when you add it to the chicken before baking.
• Be sure to cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165F.
• If you don't have cream cheese, you can substitute with equal parts sour cream and greek yogurt. It won't be quite as thick as using cream cheese but it should still do the trick!

The post The Best-Ever Baked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Recipe appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

It has all of the punchy flavours of a jalapeno popper but much simpler to put together.

It’s delicious for any weekend appetizer or gameday!I love a simple dip that I can whip together for any type of entertaining, just like like my viral recipe for this Easy Goat Cheese & Fig Jam appetizer.

Why you’ll love this jalapeno popper dip

• It takes just 5 minutes to make!
• All of the ingredients are easy to find at the grocery store.
• It’s spicy, cream and cheesy – something for everyone’s tastes.
• You can serve it with anything from crackers to tortilla chips to crostini.
• It’s a delicious appetizer anytime of year – perfect for gameday, potlucks and summer gatherings.

This dip is layered so you get a bite of all of the creamy, cheesy and spicy flavours in every bite.

Ingredients needed to make this appetizer

Cream cheese: Softened / spreadable cream cheese works best for this recipe

Greek yogurt or sour cream: Use either one of these ingredients to help make the cream cheese layer super smooth.

Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper are mixed with the cream cheese to build the flavour.

Jalapenos: Fresh jalapenos are best for this recipe but you could try pickled jalapenos too.

Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese adds another layer of flavour.

Chives: Fresh chives add a nice fresh flavour boost.

Toasted breadcrumbs: Added texture to top off this dip.

Step by step process for making this quick dip

Step 1: Mix together softened cream cheese, plain Greek yogurt, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

Step 2: Spread cream cheese mixture onto a plate or in a low bowl. Then sprinkle over half of the diced jalapeños, shredded cheese, the rest of the diced jalapeños, minced chives and toasted panko breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Enjoy with your favourite crackers, tortilla chips or crostini!

Print

5-Minute Jalapeno Popper Dip

This jalapeno popper dip takes 5 minutes to make! It's creamy, spicy and cheesy and packs the flavour so it's the most perfect party food!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword dip, jalapeno

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (about 5.5oz / 155 grams) plain cream cheese, softened 
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp pepper 
• 2 fresh jalapeños, diced (remove the ribs of the peppers if you prefer a milder flavour)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp minced chives
• 2 tbsp toasted Panko breadcrumbs 
• Optional garnish: 1/4 cup cooked bacon 
• Crackers, chips or crostini for serving

Instructions

• Mix together softened cream cheese, plain Greek yogurt, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. 
• Spread cream cheese mixture onto a plate or in a low bowl. Then sprinkle over half of the diced jalapeños, shredded cheese, the rest of the diced jalapeños, minced chives and toasted panko breadcrumbs. 
• Enjoy with your favourite crackers!

Notes

• To toast breadcrumbs, add to a frying pan on medium-low heat and toast for a few minutes.
• Substitute for fresh jalapenos, you can use pickled jalapenos if you'd prefer.

FAQ

Can I use pickled jalapenos instead of fresh?
I love the freshness of fresh jalapenos but if you prefer the taste of pickled jalapenos you can definitely try substituting them.

What else can I serve to dip into this appetizer?
I love Ritz crackers with this dip but other delicious dipping options are tortilla chips, pretzel chips, ruffle chips or crostini.

Can I make this quick dip ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the entire dip and store in the fridge. Make sure to take out about 20-30 minutes before serving so that the cream cheese is easy to dip into.

Expert tips for making this quick jalapeno popper party dip

• Make sure to use softened cream cheese so it can be spread easily. To soften cream cheese quickly, remove the cream cheese from the cardboard packaging but leave in the sealed wrapper. Submerge the sealed cream cheese in a bowl of warm water and let sit 10-15 minutes, rotating every 5 minutes or so to allow for even softening. Alternatively you could use spreadable cream cheese.
• Easily substitute the shredded cheddar cheese with monteray jack cheese or try a mix of shredded cheddar cheese with mozzarella cheese.
• Want to make this dip for a bigger crowd? Simply double the recipe and layer it in a shallow baking dish to serve.

More party food ideas to love from the blog

Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with Fig Jam & Pecans

Sun Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Pesto Appetizer

Blueberry and Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer

Easy Garlic & Herb Cheese Appetizer

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post 5 Minute Jalapeno Popper Dip appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.