Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole Recipe
This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and spicy baked dish combining shredded chicken with cream cheese, sour cream, and plenty of melted cheese. Topped with crunchy tortilla chips and extra cheddar cheese, it offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors perfect for a comforting family meal or potluck.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 3 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 1 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup diced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
For the Topping:
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature before baking the casserole.
- Prepare the Casserole Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar, shredded mozzarella, diced jalapeños, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are blended evenly into a creamy mixture.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the prepared mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, smoothing out the surface for even baking.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips evenly over the top of the casserole, then add the additional shredded cheddar cheese on top of the chips for a crunchy and cheesy crust.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted, golden brown, and slightly crispy.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and, if desired, garnish with sliced jalapeños for extra heat and visual appeal. Serve warm and enjoy this comforting, flavorful dish.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of jalapeños to control the spiciness of the casserole.
- For a milder version, use fewer jalapeños or remove the seeds before dicing.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure that the crushed tortilla chips are gluten-free certified.
- This casserole can also be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just increase baking time by a few minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
Keywords: jalapeño popper chicken casserole, spicy chicken casserole, cheesy chicken bake, jalapeño chicken recipe, comfort food casserole
