Jalapeno fans will love this Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole. It’s super creamy and in addition to bacon and chicken it also has pasta and plenty of cheese, both Cheddar and Monterey Jack.
So it’s really like a kicked-up mac and cheese. For grown-ups.
Or Jalapeno loving kids.
I know there are a few of those out there. I think spicy, cheesy food is the best. But you really can tone back the jalapeno and you’re left with a super creamy chicken casserole.
Super Creamy Texture
The creaminess comes from Challenge Cream Cheese. It’s a super high-quality cream cheese and I love to use it in everything from cheesecakes to dips. Made with real milk, cream, and natural ingredients, Challenge Cream Cheese is totally smooth and silky in texture and it really gives whatever you use it in a superior taste. It’s all about quality ingredients.
How To Make Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
(More detailed instructions in recipe card below.)
- Cook the bacon.
- Cook onion and garlic in bacon grease.
- Add butter and then sprinkle with flour. Stir in and cook 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk.
- Add cream cheese and stir until melted.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in half the cheese.
- Stir in jalapeno, chicken, pasta, and half of bacon.
- Transfer to baking dish and baked covered for 20 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese, bacon and sliced jalapeno. Bake 10 more minutes.
Jalapeno Popper Cicken Casserole Recipe Tip
I use rotisserie chicken for convenience and penne for the pasta, but you can really use any pasta shape.
Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is perfect comfort food for fall weather.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
- Crab Mac and Cheese
- Fried Mac and Cheese
- Breakfast Mac and Cheese
- Flamin Cheetos Mac and Cheese
- Velvet Mac and Cheese
Watch the short video below to see how to make Jalapeno Popper Casserole.
Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 small onion,, chopped
- 1 garlic clove,, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 6 ounces cream cheese,, softened, and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 jalapenos,, 2 diced and 1 sliced
- 2 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 8 ounces penne pasta,, cooked
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large nonstick pan. Crumble bacon and set aside.
- Add onion to bacon grease and cook until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add butter to pan. When melted, sprinkle flour into pan. Stir and cook 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk.
- Add cream cheese and stir until melted.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in half of Monterey Jack cheese and half of cheddar cheese until smooth.
- Stir in diced jalapeno, chicken, pasta, and half of bacon.
- Pour into a greased casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining bacon, cheese and the sliced jalapeno.
- Return to oven and bake 10 more minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally published October 14, 2016.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I appreciate the opportunity to share products I love and use in my own kitchen.
This is such a great casserole!!!! My kids loved it!!!!😍