Description

This Jalapeño Popper Chicken features tender chicken thighs topped with a creamy jalapeño mix, crispy bacon, and melted cheese, making it a flavorful and comforting dinner option.

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 (optional)
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

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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 with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper on both sides. Arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, onion powder, paprika, and the remaining salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated.
Sprinkle the diced jalapeños over the cream cheese mixture, followed by the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter until well mixed. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F and the topping is golden brown.
Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving, and garnish with fresh jalapeño slices if desired.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or fewer jalapeños.
Using chicken thighs keeps the dish moist and flavorful, but chicken breasts can also work if preferred.
For a crunchy topping, broil for a few minutes after baking to achieve a crispy finish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 430
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 1200mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: unknown
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 19g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 125mg