Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole Recipe
This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and spicy comfort dish combining shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, and a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, all topped with crunchy tortilla chips and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for fans of classic jalapeño poppers looking to enjoy those flavors in a hearty casserole form.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- 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 prepare it for baking the casserole.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, diced jalapeños, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well mixed into a creamy, uniform mixture.
- Transfer Mixture: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, then pour the prepared chicken mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly to create an even layer.
- Add Chips and Cheese: Sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips evenly over the top of the casserole, followed by the additional shredded cheddar cheese to create a crispy, cheesy topping.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown, indicating it is fully cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish the baked casserole with sliced jalapeños for extra color and heat. Serve warm and enjoy the comforting blend of creamy, cheesy, and spicy flavors.
Notes
- You can use fresh or pickled jalapeños according to your heat preference.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños to make the casserole more or less spicy.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure the tortilla chips used are gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Adding a bit of cooked bacon can enhance the flavor if desired.
Keywords: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole, cheesy chicken casserole, spicy chicken bake, jalapeño popper recipe, easy chicken casserole
