Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is an easy, creamy pasta casserole loaded with chicken, bacon, and cheese. A guaranteed hit with the whole family!

A CREAMY CASSEROLE WITH A KICK

If you have been around for a while, you may have noticed my love for just about anything Jalapeño Popper related, so it was only natural that I created a Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole with pasta. This thing has sooooo much flavor, it’s easily customizable to suit your preferences, and is quick and easy to pull together. If you love that creamy, cheesy, bacon flavor from jalapeño poppers then you will absolutely love this recipe!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

• rotini pasta– I used a little over ½ a 16 ounce box of pasta. Any pasta can be used in place of the rotini. Penne, elbows, and bowtie would work well in this dish.
• cream cheese– softened to room temperature. Don’t fret if you forgot to soften it because I have some tips on How to Soften Cream Cheese Quickly.
• low sodium chicken broth– Regular sodium chicken broth can be used in this recipe. I always like to use low-sodium broth so I’m able to control the salt level in my recipes. You can always add salt to taste after serving. 
• sour cream – if you don’t like sour cream, you can leave it out. It won’t be as creamy though. Or if there is something you normally use as a substitute, like Greek Yogurt, then you can use that here.
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• cooked chicken breasts – If it’s easier, just use rotisserie chicken or chicken thighs. If you only have raw chicken on hand, you can bake the chicken in the casserole dish just before assembling the casserole or you can boil it. 
• cooked bacon – You can use store-bought bacon pieces (in the plastic packaging in the salad aisle) to save time assembling the dish. Substitute the pound of bacon for about ¾ cups of bacon pieces. 
• cheddar cheese – use any cheese you like that you think would work well here. If you like it a bit more spicy, you can use a shredded pepper jack cheese.
• jalapeño peppers – We are using pickled and fresh. You can skip the fresh and just use the pickled if you prefer or you can use diced green chiles. This dish is not spicy at all but you can also leave it out off you prefer. I just used the Kroger brand of diced jalapeños, here is a link so you can see what they look like (not a paid affiliate link.)

HOW TO MAKE JALAPEÑO POPPER CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Preheat the oven to 350℉ and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Boil pasta until “al dente” per package directions then drain and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, chicken broth, sour cream, garlic powder, and onion powder together. 

Add the cooked pasta, chicken, canned jalapeno peppers, half the crumbled bacon, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the cream cheese mixture and gently stir to combine. 

Spread the jalapeño chicken mixture in an even layer in the greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top the jalapeño chicken mixture with the remaining cheese, crumbled bacon, and sliced jalapeño peppers (if using). 

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and the cheese is melted. 

CRAVING MORE RECIPES? 

• Jalapeno Popper Tater Tot Chicken Casserole
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• Halloween Mummy Jalapeno Poppers
• Jalapeño Popper Dip
• Jalapeno Popper Chicken Salad
• Jalapeno Popper Cheesy Bread
• Jalapeno Poppers Bites
• Jalapeno Popper Potato Salad
• Crock Pot Jalapeño Popper Corn Dip
• Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers