Hamdi Saidani Pioneer Woman Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is made with chicken breasts, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, jalapeños, bacon, cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, sour cream, chicken stock, paprika, crispy jalapeños, breadcrumbs, and butter. This tasty and filling Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to make and serves 6 people.
Pioneer Woman Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole Ingredients
- 18 ounces (about three 6-ounce pieces) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 jalapeño peppers, stemmed, halved, and seeded
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 8 ounces of cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 cup crispy fried jalapeños, such as French’s Crispy Jalapeños
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
How To Make Pioneer Woman Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
- Prepare the Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Place the chicken breasts on one half of a baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. On the other half of the baking sheet, place the jalapeño peppers and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil; season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Bake Chicken and Bacon: Arrange the bacon slices on a separate baking sheet in a single layer. Place both baking sheets in the oven. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F) and the bacon is crispy.
- Prepare the Casserole Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, sour cream, chicken stock, and paprika. Dice the cooked chicken and chop the bacon. Stir in all the diced chicken and half of the chopped bacon into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer half of the chicken mixture to an 8-inch square casserole dish. Layer half of the roasted jalapeños over the chicken mixture. Repeat with the remaining chicken mixture and jalapeños.
- Top and Bake the Casserole: In a small bowl, mix the crispy fried jalapeños, panko breadcrumbs, and the remaining chopped bacon. Toss with melted butter until evenly mixed. Sprinkle this breadcrumb mixture over the top of the casserole. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees F for 25 to 27 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
Recipe Tips
- Season the Chicken Well: Before you bake the chicken, rub it with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper on all sides. This gives the chicken more taste.
- Oil for Jalapeños: Put some olive oil on the jalapeños before you bake them. This makes them soft and tasty.
- Soft Cream Cheese: Use soft cream cheese, at room temperature. It mixes better and makes the casserole creamy.
- Even Layers in Casserole: Put the chicken and jalapeños in layers evenly in the dish. This way, every spoonful is good and has all the flavors.
- Crunchy Top: To get a crunchy top, mix breadcrumbs, crispy jalapeños, and bacon with melted butter. Sprinkle it over the top before the final baking. It makes the top of the casserole crunchy and delicious.
What To Serve With Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
Pioneer Woman Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole goes well with buttered noodles, steamed broccoli, mixed greens salad, and cornbread. You can also serve it with mashed sweet potatoes, grilled zucchini, roasted Brussels sprouts, and a beetroot salad for a tasty meal.
How To Store Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
- In the Fridge: Let the casserole cool down completely. Then cover the dish with plastic wrap or put it in a container that seals tight. Keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- In the Freezer: If you want to keep it longer, wrap it well with aluminum foil, then put it in a freezer bag or a container that is safe for the freezer. You can freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before you reheat it.
How To Reheat Leftover Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
- In The Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Put the casserole in a dish that can go in the oven and cover it with foil. Warm it for 15-20 minutes until it’s hot.
- In The Microwave: Place some casserole in a dish for the microwave and cover it loosely with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring in the middle to warm it up evenly.
- In The Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Put the casserole in a container that fits in the air fryer. Heat it for 5-10 minutes, check it halfway to make sure it doesn’t get too dry.
Pioneer Woman Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings
- Calories: 623
- Total Fat: 51 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 163 mg
- Sodium: 604 mg
FAQs
Can I Use Less Fat Cream Cheese And Sour Cream?
Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese and sour cream to make the casserole less fatty. This might change the taste and texture a little.
What Can I Use Instead Of Panko Breadcrumbs?
You can use regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers if you don’t have panko. Panko makes it crunchier, but other kinds will also work.
How Do I Know The Chicken Is Cooked Well?
The best way is to check the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should show 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
Can This Casserole Be Made Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to one day before baking.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Stuffing Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Rice Casserole
Pioneer Woman Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
Description
Pioneer Woman Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is made with chicken breasts, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, jalapeños, bacon, cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, sour cream, chicken stock, paprika, crispy jalapeños, breadcrumbs, and butter. This tasty and filling Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to make and serves 6 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Place the chicken breasts on one half of a baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. On the other half of the baking sheet, place the jalapeño peppers and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil; season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Bake Chicken and Bacon: Arrange the bacon slices on a separate baking sheet in a single layer. Place both baking sheets in the oven. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F) and the bacon is crispy.
- Prepare the Casserole Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, sour cream, chicken stock, and paprika. Dice the cooked chicken and chop the bacon. Stir in all the diced chicken and half of the chopped bacon into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer half of the chicken mixture to an 8-inch square casserole dish. Layer half of the roasted jalapeños over the chicken mixture. Repeat with the remaining chicken mixture and jalapeños.
- Top and Bake the Casserole: In a small bowl, mix the crispy fried jalapeños, panko breadcrumbs, and the remaining chopped bacon. Toss with melted butter until evenly mixed. Sprinkle this breadcrumb mixture over the top of the casserole. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees F for 25 to 27 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Season the Chicken Well: Before you bake the chicken, rub it with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper on all sides. This gives the chicken more taste.
- Oil for Jalapeños: Put some olive oil on the jalapeños before you bake them. This makes them soft and tasty.
- Soft Cream Cheese: Use soft cream cheese, at room temperature. It mixes better and makes the casserole creamy.
- Even Layers in Casserole: Put the chicken and jalapeños in layers evenly in the dish. This way, every spoonful is good and has all the flavors.
- Crunchy Top: To get a crunchy top, mix breadcrumbs, crispy jalapeños, and bacon with melted butter. Sprinkle it over the top before the final baking. It makes the top of the casserole crunchy and delicious.
Pioneer Woman Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole, Ree Drummond Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
