Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
Jalapeño popper chicken casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy twist on classic comfort food. It’s packed with flavor and comes together easily for a satisfying weeknight meal.
The mix of chicken, bacon, jalapeño, and melted cheese makes every bite delicious. It’s the kind of hearty dish that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy weeknight dinner: Simple ingredients and minimal prep make this a go-to family favorite. You can even use rotisserie chicken to keep prep even simpler for busy nights.
- Crowd-pleaser: Perfect for dinner any night of the week, potlucks, parties and game day.
- Make-ahead and freezer friendly: Can be prepped in advance and baked when ready to serve.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice level or toppings to suit your taste.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole Ingredients
- Tater tots
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Jalapeños
- Green onions
- Bacon
- Cooked, shredded chicken
- Mexican-style cheese blend
How To Make Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
This visual guide is helpful for making this recipe. For the full printable recipe with measurements, scroll to the bottom of the post.
Preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare your ingredients — chop the jalapeños (remove the seeds for less heat) and slice the green onions.
In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, half the green onions, half the bacon, chicken, and half the cheese.
Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and spread the tater tots evenly across the bottom. Spoon the creamy chicken mixture over the tater tots.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the casserole. Top with the rest of the bacon and green onions.
Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm and enjoy!
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 32 oz bag of Tater Tots
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1-2 jalapenos chopped
- 2-3 green onions diced and divided
- 1 cup cooked and chopped bacon divided
- 2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
- 3 cups Mexican-style cheese blend shredded and divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Chop the jalapeños and remove the seeds for a mild casserole. Leave some seeds in if you like extra heat and want it spicier. Chop the green onions.
- In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, half the green onion, half the bacon, chicken, and half the cheese.
- Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish and add the tater tots.
- Spread the mixture over the tater tots.
- Top with the remaining cheese, then sprinkle the remaining bacon and green onions over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole FAQs
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes! Removing the seeds from the jalapeños keeps the casserole mild and family-friendly. For extra heat, leave some seeds in or stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking my own?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. Shred it into bite-sized pieces before mixing it in.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the oven.
Can I freeze Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole?
Yes! It freezes best after baking. Freezing it unbaked can make the tater tots soggy.
Let the casserole cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat at 350°F until warmed through.
