Description
A spicy and creamy casserole combining tender baked chicken, jalapenos, cauliflower, and a cheesy bacon topping to create a flavorful jalapeno popper inspired dish that’s perfect for a hearty dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Vegetables
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 6 jalapenos, halved and seeds removed
- 3 cups fresh cauliflower florets, cut into small bite-size pieces
Dairy
- 1 ¼ cup cheddar cheese, divided
- 8 oz cream cheese, â…“ less fat
- ½ cup light sour cream
- ¼ cup low-fat milk
Other
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken, jalapenos, bacon, and later assembling the casserole.
- Cooking Chicken and Jalapenos: Place the chicken breasts and halved, seeded jalapenos on a baking sheet. Drizzle them evenly with olive oil and sprinkle salt to taste. On a separate baking sheet, arrange the bacon strips. Place both sheets in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is crisp.
- Prepping Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ¾ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, light sour cream, low-fat milk, and cayenne pepper. Mix until smooth and well incorporated, creating a creamy base for the casserole.
- Assembly: Once the bacon is cooked, crumble it into small pieces. Shred the baked chicken breast and dice most of the cooked jalapenos, reserving a quarter of the jalapenos and bacon for topping. Add the shredded chicken, ¾ of the diced jalapenos, and ¾ of the crumbled bacon to the cheese mixture. Stir everything together until evenly mixed.
- Baking the Casserole: In a 9 x 12 inch baking dish, spread the cauliflower florets evenly as the base layer. Pour the creamy chicken and cheese mixture over the cauliflower and spread out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese on top, followed by the reserved jalapenos and bacon pieces. Bake in the preheated oven at 375°F for 20 minutes or until the casserole is golden brown and bubbly on top.
Notes
- For less heat, remove all the seeds from the jalapenos before baking and dicing.
- You can substitute turkey bacon for a leaner option if desired.
- Make sure to cook the chicken thoroughly before adding it to the casserole.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and baked fresh when needed.
- Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving for easier portioning.
