Best 3 Jalapeno Popper Chicken Baked Ziti Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of a culinary masterpiece that seamlessly blends the fiery kick of jalapeños, the tender texture of chicken, and the comforting embrace of baked ziti. Picture succulent chicken breasts generously stuffed with a tantalizing mixture of cream cheese, cheddar, and diced jalapeños, promising an explosion of flavors in every bite. Nestled atop a bed of perfectly cooked ziti pasta, each bite becomes a symphony of textures, ranging from the crispy golden-brown crust of the chicken to the soft and chewy pasta. This delectable dish is further elevated with a creamy Alfredo sauce, adding a luscious richness that complements the spicy jalapeño filling. Discover the secrets behind this flavor-packed creation and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds begging for more.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

JALAPENO POPPER CHICKEN



Jalapeno Popper Chicken image

This Jalapeno Popper Chicken features juicy, perfectly cooked chicken breasts smothered by a melty trio of cheeses speckled with bits of thick-cut bacon and diced jalapenos. It's a crowd-pleasing chicken dinner that's also gluten-free, low-carb, and even keto-approved!

Provided by Kelly Anthony

Categories     Dinner     Main Course

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 chicken breasts
1 tablespoon canola or avocado oil
1 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
6 jalapenos, seeded and diced
1 (8-ounce) block of cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup freshly grated Monterey Jack cheese, separated
1/2 cup freshly grated Mild Cheddar Cheese, separated
1 large egg, slightly beaten

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F and have ready a 9x13" baking dish.
  • Place the chicken breasts in a ziptop bag (or sandwich in between two sheets of wax paper) and pound them out one at a time using a rolling pin or mallet. Begin at the thick end, and continue until the chicken is of even thickness, about a 1/2" thick.
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and transfer a work surface. Drizzle the chicken with the oil and season evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub all over to adhere. Set aside.
  • Place a skillet over medium-high heat and bring to temperature. Add the bacon and cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring often. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Add the chicken to the skillet (taking care not to overcrowd the pan and cooking in batches as needed) and sear for 3 minutes on one, then flip, and cook 2 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to the casserole dish and set aside.
  • Add the diced jalapeños to the pan and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring often.
  • Transfer the softened jalapenos, along with the bacon to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add the cream cheese, 1/2 cup of Monterey Jack cheese, 1/4 cup of Cheddar, and the egg. Use a handheld mixer at medium-high speed (or a whisk) to mix the ingredients.
  • Divide the mixture (about 2 large dollops) evenly over the tops of the chicken breasts. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup of Monterey Jack and 1/4 cup of Cheddar. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 601 kcal, Carbohydrate 3 g, Protein 63 g, Fat 36 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 243 mg, Sodium 1446 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 19 g, ServingSize 1 serving

JALAPEñO POPPER CHICKEN CASSEROLE



Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole image

All of the delicious flavors of Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers are packed into this delicious dinner recipe! Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is both delicious and quick and easy to make which is a winning combination for a busy day's meal. As a bonus this recipe is also gluten free, low carb and keto diet friendly.

Provided by Kimber

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 lbs chicken breast (boneless skinless, (about 3-4 chicken breasts))
1/2 tsp garlic powder
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 pound jalapeño peppers (fresh, about 5-6 peppers)
4 oz sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
1/2 cup crispy bacon (crumbled )

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375˚F
  • Lay chicken breasts flat in a casserole dish. Season them with the garlic powder then spread the cream cheese over them evenly.
  • Wash the jalapeño peppers and then cut the tops off. Remove the seeds and stems if you want it milder, or leave some if you want more spice, then cut the peppers into strips and lay them on top of the cream cheese then sprinkle the cheddar cheese over top.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes, remove from oven 5 minutes before cooking is complete and sprinkle with bacon then return for the remaining cook time. Chicken is done when cooked through to an internal temperature of 165˚F.
  • Serve warm with a side of potatoes, veggies, or a baked potato. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 4 oz chicken + toppings, Calories 401 kcal, Carbohydrate 3 g, Protein 37 g, Fat 27 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Cholesterol 133 mg, Sodium 976 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, UnsaturatedFat 5 g

JALAPENO POPPER CHICKEN CASSEROLE



Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole image

This Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is super comforting. It's rich and cheesy, and it has just a bit of heat from the jalapenos. It's a perfect way to use up leftover chicken or turkey, too. -Kerry Whitaker, Carthage, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 package (32 ounces) frozen Tater Tots
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
6 green onions, chopped
6 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 pound bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
4 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°. Arrange Tater tots in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered 15 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeno peppers, garlic salt and pepper. Stir in half each of the chicken, Mexican cheese blend, bacon and green onions. Arrange chicken over Tater tots. Top with cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining Mexican cheese blend, green onions and bacon. Cover and bake until heated through, 20-25 minutes. If desired, top with additional sour cream and jalapeno slices.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 701 calories, Fat 53g fat (24g saturated fat), Cholesterol 116mg cholesterol, Sodium 1648mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 22g protein.

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh jalapeños, cream cheese, and chicken will give your dish the best flavor.
  • Don't be afraid to adjust the heat: If you like things spicy, add more jalapeños. If you prefer a milder dish, remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeños before dicing them.
  • Make sure the chicken is cooked through: Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is the perfect texture for this dish. Cook it according to the package directions, but keep an eye on it so that it doesn't get too soft.
  • Use a good quality cheese: A sharp cheddar cheese or a blend of cheeses will give your dish the best flavor.
  • Serve immediately: This dish is best served hot out of the oven. The pasta will start to absorb the sauce and become soggy if it sits for too long.

Conclusion:

This jalapeño popper chicken baked ziti is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great dish to serve at parties or potlucks. The combination of creamy jalapeño sauce, tender chicken, and al dente pasta is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

Related Topics