Jalapeño Popper Chicken

Jalapeno Popper Chicken

The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni / Eric Kleinberg 

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 50 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 chicken breasts
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
561 Calories
24g Fat
30g Carbs
54g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 561
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 24g 30%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 241mg 80%
Sodium 946mg 41%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 54g
Vitamin C 9mg 44%
Calcium 199mg 15%
Iron 4mg 21%
Potassium 530mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

If you love jalapeño poppers, you'll love this recipe. In case you haven't tried them before, jalapeño poppers are peppers stuffed with a mixture of cheese, spices, and sometimes ground meat, and then breaded and deep fried. This recipe for jalapeño popper chicken takes the iconic appetizer and transforms it into a family-friendly weeknight main dish.

You'll cut a pocket into boneless, skinless chicken breasts and then fill them with a flavorful mixture of cream cheese, Mexican cheese, crisp bacon, and minced jalapeño peppers. The chicken breasts are sealed tight with a toothpick and then dredged in flour, an egg wash, and finally a crispy, seasoned panko bread crumb coating. The chicken is baked until it's golden brown on the outside, just like a traditional jalapeño popper. As the chicken cooks, the cheesy inside gets warm and gooey. When you slice into the breaded chicken breast the delicious filling is revealed. Every bite tastes just like your favorite appetizer!

Ingredients

  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature

  • 1/2 cup grated Mexican cheese blend

  • 4 slices cooked and crisped bacon, chopped

  • 1/3 cup minced jalapeños, plus additional sliced for garnish

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 1 teaspoon taco seasoning

  • 2 large eggs

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to 375 F and cover a baking sheet with nonstick foil. Set aside.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  2. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, Mexican cheese blend, chopped bacon, and minced jalapeño.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  3. Using a sharp knife, cut chicken breasts horizontally until almost butterflied (creating a pocket in the center), then scoop 1/4 cup cream cheese jalapeño mixture into the center of each chicken breast.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  4. If necessary, use a toothpick to keep filling in.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  5. In a shallow bowl combine the flour, salt, and pepper.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  6. Beat the eggs and place in a second shallow bowl.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  7. In a third shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the taco seasoning.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  8. Dredge each stuffed chicken breast in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  9. Then, dip each chicken breast in the beaten egg.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  10. Finally, coat the chicken breast with the breadcrumb mixture. Press to adhere.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  11. Place the coated chicken breasts onto the prepared baking sheet.

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

  12. Place baking sheet in oven and bake until chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Enjoy!

    Jalapeno Popper Chicken

    Kristina Vanni/Eric Kleinberg 

Handling Jalapeños

It is important to use care when cutting and handling jalapeño peppers. Once sliced open, the ribs and seeds are revealed. This is where the pepper holds the heat. Wear gloves when preparing hot peppers such as this and be sure not to touch your eyes at any point. After removing the ribs and seeds and mincing the peppers, carefully remove the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.