Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Jalapeño Popper Chicken casserole is seriously the best therefore, everyone loves it! The creamy sauce has just the right amount of heat but it’s still mild enough for the entire family.

From the shredded chicken, jalapeños, cream cheese and bacon this recipe is so easy to make. Dinner can be done in about 30 minutes which is one of the reasons why I love this easy casserole recipe. You may also love King Ranch Chicken Casserole, Ritz Chicken Casserole and this Chicken Divan Recipe.

Why This Recipe Works

This Jalapeño Chicken Casserole is so yummy! It has that perfect blend of cheese and spice. It is a bit spicy, but not too much that you can’t handle it. Our kids devoured it and they all came back for seconds.

I think you will agree that this dinner is delicious. Casseroles make my life so much easy as they are full of flavor and all the ingredients go into one pan! Jalapeno Poppers Recipes always make a delicious meal. If you have tried Jalapeño Popper Soup, Jalapeno Popper Dip, and Keto Jalapeño Popper Chicken Recipe you love this casserole.

Ingredients for Jalapeño Chicken Casserole

• Butter – We used unsalted butter
• Chicken Broth – If you are out, see Chicken broth substitutes
• Milk – We used Whole Milk but you can use milk of your choice
• Cream Cheese – Make sure Cream Cheese is softened before mixing into the sauce mixture
• Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese – Sharp Cheddar Cheese is a great addition
• Bacon – Cooked, crumbled and divided
• Fresh Jalapeño Peppers – I usually used fresh diced jalapeños but jarred sliced jalapeños, diced, work great as well. 
• Cooked Shredded Chicken – We love making this casserole with Leftover Chicken.
• Farfalle Pasta – Any type of pasta will work in this recipe. Rotini and penne are also great options. 

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Use a Rotisserie chicken – Using precooked chicken breasts makes this recipe so easy to prepare. I have used rotisserie chicken to make this dinner even easier.
• Use Chicken Thighs – Cooked chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts is also a great substitution.
• Mix in Garlic Powder – This is one of those delicious recipes that you can easily swap out some of the ingredients. We do this a lot for what we already have or can get on sale. Garlic powder is great in this recipe.
• Make it keto friendly – If you are following the keto diet, you can remove the pasta. The recipe will still be so delicious!
• Substitute Jalapenos – Everyone loves the jalapeño flavor so this casserole dish is a hit. If you do not like jalapeno peppers, you can substitute with a can of green chilies for a different flavor.
• Change the Cheese – Feel free to use whatever cheese you have. I have tried a variety of cheese and they all tasted amazing.
• Add in Sour cream – Sour cream is a great addition.
• Veggies – Feel free to add in chopped onions for even more flavor.

How to Make Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

• Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9X13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  
• Step 2 – Cook the pasta based on the package instructions to al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.

Step 3 – Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens. 

Step 4 – Slowly stir in the chicken broth and milk and bring the mixture to a low boil. Cook and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens. 

Step 5 – Stir in the cream cheese and heat on medium heat until fully melted.

Step 6 – Remove from heat and stir in the Monterey Jack cheese.  Whisk until the cheese is fully melted.  

Step 7 – Stir in the diced jalapeños, bacon (reserve some for topping) and salt in the cream cheese mixture.

Step 8 – Mix in the pasta and chicken until it’s fully covered in the sauce. 

Step 9 – Pour this mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle with the shredded cheddar cheese and remaining diced jalapeños and bacon. 

Step 10 – Cover the casserole tightly with foil. Bake for 20 minutes until heated through. 

• Step 11 – Remove the foil from the pan, cook for 5-10 minutes until the top of the casserole is slightly browned. 
• Step 12 – Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes and then it’s ready to serve topped with chopped green onions and enjoy! 

Expert Tips

• Baking Dish – Make sure you have a nice 9×13 casserole dish. Or if you want to make clean up a breeze, try using one of these foil pans. Prepare baking dish by spraying with cooking spray to easily serve the casserole and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Shredded Cheese – We recommend using shredded cheese that is shredded by hand to ensure the best taste and how easily it melts. Pre-Shredded Cheese has added ingredients that are not necessary for this recipe.
• Baking Casserole – Cooking time will vary depending on your oven. Cover casserole while baking and then remove the foil to melt the cheese golden brown.

What to Serve with Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole?

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is delicious served with many side dish recipes. We love to serve with a side of Parmesan Roasted Broccoli, How to Make Cauliflower Rice, and Grilled Zucchini Spears.

We have even served with a Green Salad with Homemade Garlic Bread for a complete meal idea.

Frequently Asked Questions