Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

casserole in a white dish with cheese and jalapeno peppers next to a blue and white striped napkin

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole with tender chicken, penne, jalapeños, and bacon in a creamy cheese sauce. An easy one dish dinner ready in 50 minutes. Serves 6.

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Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 50

Servings:

Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese softened
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder
4 cups rotisserie chicken shredded
2 cups penne pasta
3 cups chicken broth
3 jalapeños about ⅓ cup diced, seeded
4-5 strips bacon cooked crispy, crumbled
1 green onions optional for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, half of the shredded cheddar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cumin and chili powder and stir until fully combined.
Add the chicken broth, stirring until well combined and set aside.
In the casserole dish, add an even layer of chicken, pasta, jalapenos, and bacon (reserving a few pieces for garnish).
Top the chicken and pasta with the cream cheese mixture and stir to make sure that all the pasta is covered with liquid.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the pasta has absorbed all the liquid.
Stir and top with the rest of the cheese.
Bake for another 10 minutes to melt the cheese.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes before garnishing with green onions, jalapeno slices and your reserved bacon. Serve warm.

Notes

Make sure all the pasta is submerged in the liquid, or it won't cook through.
Soften the cream cheese first so it blends smoothly, though a few chunks will melt as it bakes.
Wear gloves when cutting the jalapeños to keep the heat off your hands.
Grate your own cheese for the smoothest, creamiest sauce.
Let it cool 10 to 15 minutes before cutting so it sets up.

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