Description
Spicy jalapeño popper casserole brings creamy comfort with a kick of heat, blending crispy bacon, melted cheese, and zesty peppers. Comfort meets excitement in this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 1 lb bacon, chopped
Dairy:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 4–5 jalapenos, diced
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Extras:
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- In a large skillet, crisp the chopped bacon over medium-high heat until golden and rendered, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the bacon fat.
- Using the same skillet with residual bacon fat, brown the ground chicken, breaking it into crumbly pieces until no longer pink and fully cooked through.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Fold the cooked ground chicken, crispy bacon bits, diced jalapenos, and chopped green onions into the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs across the top, then drizzle olive oil to help achieve a golden, crispy surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the breadcrumb topping turns a rich, golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which helps the dish set and intensifies the flavors.
Notes
- Bacon Perfection: Render the bacon slowly to extract maximum flavor and achieve a satisfyingly crisp texture that adds a smoky crunch to the casserole.
- Spice Control: Adjust jalapeno quantity based on heat preference, removing seeds for milder taste or adding extra for a fiery kick that tantalizes taste buds.
- Protein Flexibility: Swap ground chicken with ground turkey, lean beef, or plant-based crumbles to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences.
- Creamy Consistency: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth blending, preventing lumps and creating a luxuriously silky base for the casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg