Jalapeño Popper Recipe Stuffed with Cheesy Chicken Slice of Jess

I’ve always been a fan of noshing on a deliciously homemade jalapeño popper at gatherings. Adding chicken to the mix uplifts this recipe to a whole new level.

The turn of the summer to fall means FOOTBALL SEASON (aka appetizers galore!). I find it fully acceptable to enjoy apps for dinner… so here’s another one to add to your personal rolodex! Other recipes you gotta try include my Extra Crunchy Buttermilk Fried Jalapeños, these Hot Chicken Dip Wonton Tacos, and this 30-minute Thai Chicken Pizza.

WATCH ME MAKE THESE ON THE GRAM!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

I absolutely heart the mix of spicy jalapeños, cheesy goodness, and savory chicken. It’s a trifecta of deliciousness and I know you’re going to love it, too. Here’s everything you’ll need.

Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Breast
Garlic Powder
Smoked Paprika
Jalapeños
Cream Cheese
Pepper Jack Cheese
Extra Sharp Cheddar
Chives
Panko Bread Crumbs
Grated Parmesan

If you’re practicing a low carb lifestyle, you can always skip off the Panko-Parmesan crust. While it adds a ton of flavor, it’s not 100% mandatory. These are still incredibly scrumptious without it. I like to add it for texture.

HOW TO MAKE THESE SPICY GEMS:

Cut the chicken breast into small chunks and season with 1 teaspoon garlic powder and smoked paprika. Sauté until internal temperature reaches 165F. Chop or shred into smaller pieces and place into a large mixing bowl.
Preheat the oven to 400F.
Cut the jalapeños in half, lengthwise, and carefully scoop out the seeds and membranes.
Add the second teaspoon of garlic powder, cream cheese, pepper jack, cheddar, and chives to the chicken. Mix until fully combined.
Fill jalapeño halves with the cheesy chicken mixture.
Mix the Panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a separate bowl. Then dunk the filled jalapeños into the mixture, cheesy chicken side down.
Place the jalapenos on a large baking sheet, cheesy chicken side up. Spray with canola oil cooking spray, and cook for 20 – 24 minutes, or until browned and warmed through.

CAN YOU MAKE THESE IN ADVANCE?

You betcha! Up to two days in advance, go ahead and prep everything through step 6, then place them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. Or if you need extra time, go ahead and freeze them! When you’re ready to enjoy, bake directly from frozen… just add some extra time in the oven. Around 30 minutes at 425F.

OTHER APPS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Air Fryer Crack Chicken Egg Rolls

Hatch Chile Mexican Street Corn Dip

Ramen Noodle Salad with Chicken and Mandarin Oranges

Incredibly Yummy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Potato Chip Crusted Chicken Fingers

Jalapeño Popper Recipe Stuffed with Cheesy Chicken

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

35 mins

I'd never turn down a deliciously homemade jalapeño popper at gatherings. Adding chicken to the mix uplifts this recipe to a whole new level.

Serves: 30

Ingredients

1 Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Breast
2 tsp. Garlic Powder, divided
1 tbsp. Smoked Paprika
15 Jalapenos, sliced in half
6 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
2 oz. Pepper Jack Cheese, shredded
2 oz. Sharp Cheddar, shredded
3 tbsp. Chives, chopped
¼ cup Panko Breadcrumbs
¼ cup Grated Parmesan

Instructions

Cut the chicken breast into small chunks and season with 1 teaspoon garlic powder and smoked paprika. Sauté until internal temperature reaches 165F. Chop or shred into smaller pieces and place into a large mixing bowl.
Preheat the oven to 400F.
Cut the jalapeños in half, lengthwise, and carefully scoop out the seeds and membranes.
Add the second teaspoon of garlic powder, cream cheese, pepper jack, cheddar, and chives to the chicken. Mix until fully combined.
Fill jalapeño halves with the cheesy chicken mixture.
Mix the Panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a separate bowl. Then dunk the filled jalapeños into the mixture, cheesy chicken side down.
Place the jalapenos on a large baking sheet, cheesy chicken side up. Spray with canola oil cooking spray, and cook for 20 - 24 minutes, or until browned and warmed through.

NOTES ON THIS RECIPE:

This is a great base recipe. Sometimes I like to add crumbled bacon or minced pimentos to the cheesy chicken mixture before filling the jalapeños.
If you have an air fryer, you can totally make these in that instead of the oven! They’ll cook a bit faster, and depending on the size, you may have to work in batches.
Serve these with your favorite ranch or blue cheese sauce. Ooooh, or my Alabama White Sauce!

This post is sponsored in partnership with Springer Mountain Farms. Per the usual, all opinions here are mine alone and I would never recommend a product or ingredient that I did not immensely enjoy myself. Thank you for supporting the brands that support SliceOfJess.com!