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My family loves jalapeño poppers. I knew they were going to love this Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole Recipe. If you use precooked chicken, you can easily get this dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.
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.
Table of Contents
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
Jalapeno Chicken Casserole can be made low carb by making it without pasta. You can even prepare with low carb pasta if you prefer.
The Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole freezes great! When I make I like to make a few casseroles that I can freeze for an upcoming busy night. Place the casserole is a disposable pan and cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge and then bake in a preheated oven.
Store the leftover in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Reheat the leftovers in the microwave in a medium bowl or place in a baking dish and reheat in a preheated oven for about 10 minutes.
More Easy Casserole Recipes
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Chicken Hashbrown Casserole Recipe
Easy Casserole
Chicken Green Bean Casserole
Easy Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe
We love to hear from you. If you make Chicken Jalapeno Popper Casserole Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 ½ cup Milk
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 2 cups Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
- 6 slices Bacon cooked, crumbled and divided
- 3 Jalapeño Peppers deseeded, diced and divided
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 cups Cooked Shredded Chicken
- 16 ounces Farfalle Pasta
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9X13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta based on the package instructions to al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Melt the better in a large deep skillet over medium high heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Slowly stir in the chicken broth and milk and bring the mixture to a low boil. Cook and whisk constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in the cream cheese and heat on low until fully melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in the Monterey Jack cheese. Whisk until the cheese is fully melted.
- Stir in the diced jalapeños, bacon (reserve some for topping) and salt. Mix in the pasta and chicken until it’s fully covered in the sauce.
- Pour this mixture into the baking dish. Top with the shredded cheddar cheese and remaining diced jalapeños and bacon.
- Cover the casserole tightly with foil. Bake for 20 minutes until heated through.
- Remove the foil from the pan, cook for 5-10 minutes until the top of the casserole is slightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes and then it’s ready to serve and enjoy!
So glad you loved it!
Carrie- made this and everyone loved it. I added more jalapeños as we like it spicier, but the sauce and touch of bacon really made this yummy. Thanks much.
This was so easy to make with ingredients I always have on hand, and both kids and adults loved it!
If you freeze it before you bake it, cover it and you can bake it from frozen just add 20 minutes to the cook time.
You can also freeze your leftovers. Put it in a freezer pan (I use a foil pan), cover it and freeze. Then defrost it out and bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes to reheat it back up. I hope you enjoy it!
Yes, you can easily freezer this before baking. If you are baking it from frozen, I would add approximately 20 minutes to the cook time to make sure it’s cooked all the way through.
Can this be frozen before baking? If so, what would the cooking instructions be? TIA!
Excellent easy, to make and delicious.
My family loves this recipe! It is so good!
Delicious but I definitely added salt!
What are the freezing and rewarming/baking instructions?
Hey Laurie – You can definitely add more jalapeños based on how spicy you like your food and yes, I think the fried onions would be delicious on top of this casserole recipe.
Looks great but 1 jalapena wouldn’t do it for me … also wondering if fried onion bits might be nice addition/ replacement for bread crumbs. Misprint #9 “Cover uncovered”
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
Made this as Cook 1 Eat 2 for leftover fried chicken (2 breasts worth of meat), also subbed green chilies for jalapenoes due to we don’t do that spicy, added sauted mushrooms and corn for a 1 dish casserole. Yummy!
So glad I decided to try this! My husband and I both loved it!
That sounds delicious! I love spicy too! 🙂
I think I would add a touch of hot sauce and maybe a little more jalapeno. We like spicy at my house !
Awesome! I’m so glad everyone loved it!
I made this with rotisserie chicken and substituted chicken broth for water and it was amazing! The entire family loved it!
You’re welcome! If you try it let us know what you think!
Haven’t made it yet, just wanted
To say thank you for the recipe.
I usually just use 1 jalapeño for this recipe. You can add more if you would like it to be spicier.
Hi, how many jalapeños do you use? The recipe says 1, but you later reference “add the jalapeños” which makes me think more than one. Can you clarify?
I find that sometimes jalapeños can variety on the heat level. I would add more next time. Thank you!
I added 2 fresh Jalapeños because I love the taste and heat of them but the dish came out pretty heatless. Did I do something wrong?
how much rotisserie chicken to use for this recipe? i don’t care for this pre packaged cooked chicken. thank you
Can you put this in a crock pot
Could this be made it the crockpot??
Allie – Yes, that’s correct and then I allow the casserole to defrost in the refrigerator overnight prior to baking. Thank you.
Do you cook the noodles and all instructions prior to freezing? Just don’t put it in the oven?
I haven’t tried that before but I think it would work great. Thank you.
Could i not put pasta in it and add broccoli?
I love that idea – Thanks for sharing!
The jalapeños and different cheeses add tons of flavor to this recipe so I do not include other seasonings. Thank you!
I’m going to cut down to 8×8 pam and top with buttered ritz cracker crumbs.
Why is there no mention of seasoning in this recipe? If it’s an oversight, please add it to the recipe and relist it. Thanks!
You can use plain yogurt or heavy whipping cream if you prefer. Thanks!
I haven’t tried that before but I think that would taste great. Thanks!
Thank you – Let us know what you substitute with and how it turns out. Thank you.
I want to try this it looks delicious but I am allergic to Jalapeño so I would have to substitute for something else.
Can you use cheddar cheese soup
What could be used as a substitute for cream cheese? I hate the stuff
I would use 3 chicken breasts or approximately 1 pound of chicken. You can bake it or boil it in order to precook it for this recipe. Thank you!
Yes, definitely – I would cute everything in half and put in a 8X8 or 9X9 pan. Thanks!
Great idea – Thanks for sharing!
Could I 1/2 the recipe ? 9×12 would be too much for me and hubby, as we dont eat left overs.
I made this a Keto recipe by replacing the pasta with a head of cauliflower and no bread crumbs. Yummy.
How much boneless chicken if I’m not using the precooked Tyson? And would you just bake chicken in oven and cut up? Any seasoning? Thank you
Conner – Yes, that will work out great!
Can I leave in the fridge over night if I’m cooking the next day after work?
Jennifer – I freeze it after the casserole is put together prior to cooking it. Then take it out the night before and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
at what point do you freeze it before or after cooking?
This was great. I added about 5 pieces of crumbled bacon. Hubby loved it
Made this tonight for hubby and myself. Even though I cut the grated cheese from 3 cups to 2 (because that’s how much I had), it came out very good. Well make again.
I will never buy Tyson chicken!!
I used Panko bread crumbs for that extra crunch like I use in the jalapeño popper dip. I also added a can of cream of chicken soup to the cream cheese. It was incredible, thank you for the recipe.
Can i do this in a crock pot?
Yes , that is correct or you can use whatever chicken you have on hand, thanks
Can I assume Tyson’s is Chicken? It doesn’t specify
This was amazing! My fiancé and I devoured it. I used a rotisserie chicken and jarred jalapeños. I threw some slices of bread in my food processor with some
More cheese for the topping, which I sprinkled on after cooking and browned under broiler. So so soooo good!
Hi! Can use regular macaroni instead bowtie pasta?
Do you freeze before or after cooking?
Made this tonight and it was a huge hit with my family!!! We loved it!! Super flavorful and so easy. I did however, use mild chopped Chile’s from a Can since I didn’t have a jalapeño and some garlic salt and pepper. I also used crushed cornflakes vs bread crumbs. Flavor was amazing. Recipe is a keeper!
Going to try this with crushed dorito’s on top!
This looks great! I’ve used the Tyson chicken for many years for various quick and easy dinners. That mixed with frozen pierogi, alfredo sauce and spinach is a fast meal that the family loves. Also their fajita chicken is great for a fast quesadilla as well.
I’m using left over Rotisserie chicken. How much?
I made it this morning. So easy. I already had cooked chicken instead out of the bag. And I used jalapeños cream cheese and added a little extra from regular chees. And also used jalapeños out of a can. I came across the recipe so I used what I had. Thanks for the recipe. My husband & I will have a bit for lunch. Can’t wait.
How much cream cheese do you use. It doesn’t give an amount.
How much cream cheese?
Made it last night, hubby went back for seconds!
I made this tonight was so good! I added 3 slices of bacon to dish, based on another recipe I used to make. I also used 2 raw chicken breast. I cooked everything before baking it and it was absolutely amazing!
Thank You !
hello CARRIE
It’s wonderful. Thank you for all !
Do you know how this would freeze?
While I love jalapeños, my family does not. I’ll substitute mild Hatch chile peppers & even my grandkids will love it. Thanks for a great recipe!
I would do about a tablespoon and you can adjust it from there depending if you want it hotter.
Can I substitute chopped canned jalapenos and how much of the can equals 1 jalapeno?
No you do not.
Do you have to use bread crumbs? My daughter is gluten free.