Description
This Jalapeño Popper Chicken is packed with flavor, featuring tender chicken thighs topped with creamy cheese, spicy jalapeños, and crispy bacon. Ideal for a satisfying dinner that’s simple to make and full of deliciousness!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper, divided
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup (77 g) sour cream
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 medium jalapeño peppers, seeded, finely diced, plus more for garnish
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp, crumbled
- 1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¾ cup (34 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Arrange them in a single layer in the baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, onion powder, paprika, and remaining salt and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure to cover each piece completely.
- Sprinkle the diced jalapeños on top, followed by the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter until evenly coated, then sprinkle this over the cheese layer.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving and garnish with fresh jalapeño slices if desired.
Notes
For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeños or add more jalapeño slices on top.
You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs for a leaner option.
Feel free to customize toppings with other favorite cheeses or spices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 130mg