Name: Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta ((about 2 cups dry pasta)); 1 bar (8 oz) cream cheese (room temperature); 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup sour cream; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon ((or real bacon bits)); 2 jalapeños ((finely chopped, seeds removed)); 2 cups cooked chicken ((shredded or chunked)); 1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup cooked crumbled bacon ((or real bacon bits)); 1 jalapeno ((sliced thin, seeds removed))

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Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole recipe is an easy, one dish casserole with spicy jalapenos, three types of cheese, penne pasta, chunks of chicken, and bacon. Make it as spicy or as mild as your family prefers.

A baking dish of the baked casserole with a wooden spoon inside of it.

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole Recipe

This jalapeño popper casserole is all the flavors you love about jalapeno poppers, or jalapeno popper dip, but in a one dish jalapeño chicken casserole with cheese, a cool cream cheese mixture, spicy jalapeños, crispy bacon, tender chunks of chicken, and penne pasta.

It’s a full meal in one, a family favorite, and it can be customized to be mild or spicy! When the seeds are removed from jalapeños they are actually quite mild and provide a ton of flavor – so even if you don’t love spicy food, give this easy casserole recipe a try and I think you’ll find that it’s not that spicy. You can even use less jalapeños as well.

Overhead shot of the casserole inside a whit baking dish.

A serving of the chicken and pasta casserole with a fork.

Simple Ingredients For Jalapeño Poppers Pasta Casserole

Penne Pasta : The casserole calls for 8 ounces of penne pasta which is about half of a 16 ounce box of pasta. You can also measure out 2 cups of dried pasta to equal 8 ounces.
Rotisserie Chicken/Cooked Chicken : You need already cooked chicken like a rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, canned chicken, or purchase some cooked chicken from the grocery store.
Cream Cheese
Mayonnaise
Sour Cream
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Jalapeno Peppers : This amount can be adjusted as wanted. For more spice leave the seeds and white membrane on the jalapenos. For a mild spice level, take the seeds out and cut out the white membrane pieces. With the seeds out, a jalapeño is actually very mild in its heat level.
Cooked and Crumbled Bacon : Use real bacon bits or cook bacon your preferred method (oven, skillet, or use microwave bacon).

How To Make A Delicious Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole (Printable Recipe Card)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish by spraying with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water according to the package directions. Cook to al dente or to preferred softness – it will cook slightly more while in the oven. When done, drain the pasta but do not rinse it, and set it aside for later.

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. Stir in the mild cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, chopped jalapeños, and crumbled bacon.

Stir in the cooked chicken and cooked & drained pasta until well combined and coated.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, crumbled bacon, and slice jalapeños. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 10 minutes (uncovered).

Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

How To Store Leftovers

Allow the jalapeno popper casserole to cool to room temperature before storing. Cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap, aluminum foil or a lid and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. You can also transfer individual serving inside an airtight container.

A serving plate with a serving on it and the casserole dish of it next to it.

Can I Make This Casserole Mild or Spicy?

To control the spiciness of the casserole there are several changes you can make to do that. Here are some ideas to make the casserole mild or spicy.

Use Less Jalapeños : Instead of using 3 diced jalapeños inside the cream cheese mixture try using only 1-2.
Take The Seeds/White Membrane Out : The seeds (and white lining membrane) of the jalapeños is what makes it spicier – simply take the seeds out and cut the white membrane out before adding the jalapeños into the mixing bowl.
Use A Milder Pepper : A poblano pepper is milder than a jalapeño.
Spicy! : Leave the seeds and white membrane in the jalapeños, and/or try using Pepper Jack cheese as a substitute for one or both of the shredded cheese.

A photo of the casserole with some scooped out to see the center.

Substitutions & Tips

Pasta : Use any short pasta you like – rotini, large shell, medium shell, or ziti pasta are all great choices. Cook the pasta to your preferred doneness, either al dente or softer. The pasta will cook slightly more while in the oven, but not much, so cook to your preferred texture in the boiling water.
Cheese : Although the recipe calls for mild cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese, any good melting cheese can be used with great results. Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, and Colby Jack are all great choices for this casserole.
Chicken : Use leftover chicken, canned chicken (drained & flaked), a rotisserie chicken, or buy some cooked chicken from the grocery store. Another option is to put 2-3 chicken breasts + 1 can of chicken broth into the slow cooker, and cook on LOW heat for 6-7 hours. When it’s done simply take it out and shred it with two forks.
Make Ahead : Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. If you bake it directly from the fridge, add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Or you can place the casserole out at room temperature 30 minutes prior to baking it.