Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

When you want something comforting but packed with flavor, this jalapeno popper chicken casserole is the perfect solution. It's a great meal that is ideal for when you are craving something with just a bit of spice but still kid-friendly. It's packed with flavor and will leave your taste buds tingling!

What’s not to love about this casserole? It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with jalapeno peppers. Plus, it’s easy to make – so you can have a delicious home-cooked meal on the table in no time.

If you like a bit of extra flavor, you might also appreciate this curry chicken thigh casserole. It's another classic recipe with great flavor.

rectangle red and white baking dish filled with jalapeno popper chicken casserole

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil (15ml)
6 slices bacon
1 medium onion
1 jalapeno
1 cup cream cheese (225g)
1 ½ cups sour cream (360g)
1 cup chicken stock (240ml)
14 oz rotini pasta (400g)
1 pound shredded cooked chicken thighs (500g) - This is a great time to use a rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from the night before
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (155g)

Kitchen Tools You Need

image looking down on white baking dish filled with jalapeno popper casserole sitting on gray table

How to Make Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Start by cooking and shredding your chicken thighs. This can also be made using leftover chicken from a prior meal. Once shredded, set these aside. You will also want to chop your onions and jalapenos, so they are handy when ready to add to the mixture.

Then, preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and spray your baking dish with non-stick spray, and set it aside. This is great for a 9"x13" or 10" oval baking dish.

Now, in a large skillet, you will heat vegetable oil over medium heat and add the chopped bacon pieces. Cook this, stirring regularly, for around 5 to 7 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp around the edges, but not fully cooked.

raw bacon in stainless steel skillet sitting on black hot plate

Then, add the chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until it is soft and translucent.

bacon cooking in silver skillet on black hot plate

Stir in the jalapeno and cook for 1 minute before adding the cream cheese to the skillet. Stir the cheese in with the onions and bacon.

Then, pour in the chicken broth and whisk or stir until the cream cheese is melted and a sauce is forming.

Now, reduce the heat and add the dry pasta and sour cream. Let this simmer for 10-minutes until the sauce is thickened and the pasta is getting tender.

Stir in the cooked shredded chicken and then pour into the prepared baking dish.

shredded chicken being added to cream sauce

Top with the shredded cheese and any additional jalapeno slices if desired.

hand sprinkling cheese on top of casserole dish sitting on gray table

Bake for 20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked through and the cheese is melted and beginning to brown around the edges.

white plate of jalapeno popper chicken casserole on wood table by plate of jalapenos

Chef's Tip

To keep the jalapeno flavorful but not overly spicy, make sure to remove the seeds and veins inside before chopping. If you prefer a bit more heat, add an additional jalapeno or leave the seeds and simply chop the jalapeno to add to the mix.

Like tips like this? Then check out my latest cookbook, The Complete Cookbook for Beginners. This book is filled with essential skills and step-by-step techniques that are ideal for new home cooks.

baking dish of jalapeno popper casserole

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole Keto?

No, this jalapeno popper casserole is not keto. It is made using pasta which is a carb-heavy ingredient. You can make the recipe keto-friendly by making it without pasta.

You can use low-carb pasta, cauliflower rice, or use zoodles. Another idea, make the recipe without the pasta and serve over cauliflower mash.

Can I Add Rice to the Jalapeno Popper Casserole Instead of Pasta?

Adding rice instead of pasta to this jalapeno popper casserole is a delicious idea. It is a great way to make a variation on this recipe. If you’d like to add rice to this recipe, you can absolutely do so. Simply cook the rice according to package instructions and then add it to the casserole dish when assembling everything. Using rice instead of pasta is a great way to enjoy this recipe while keeping it gluten-free.

If you find that the rice is a bit too mushy, you can always par cook it and then drain the water off before adding to the sauce mixture and letting it finish cooking in the oven. I do not recommend putting uncooked rice into this dish.

Quina is another idea if you are looking for a gluten-free option that also adds a lot of nutrition.

What Can I Use in Place of Fresh Jalapenos?

There are so many different types of peppers at the market, but sometimes there are no fresh jalapenos. That's ok, there are other options. If you want to stay with fresh peppers, you can use poblano or other spicy peppers. Some peppers that are similar to jalapeno are poblano, serrano, or hatch chili. If you want super spice level, then reach for the habanero, and Scotch bonnet in small amounts.

You can also use pickled jalapenos, just make sure to drain them well before adding them to the recipe. The added liquid will change the consistency of the sauce. Additionally, a can of diced green chiles works great for a milder flavor with just a hint of heat. Just drain before stirring into the mixture.

image of red baking dish with white trim filled with jalapeno popper chicken casserole

More Easy Chicken Thigh Casseroles

Chicken thighs are a great choice for a tasty protein. They are affordable, filled with flavor, and while not as lean as chicken breasts, they are still a great choice to replace beef on your menu. Below are a few more of our favorite recipes including chicken thighs. Make sure that you bookmark these, print out the recipes, or just pin them to Pinterest to make them soon.

Yield: 8