1. Recipes

How to Make Jalapeno Popper Chicken Baked Ziti - A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you ready to take your baked ziti to the next level? Say hello to Jalapeno Popper Chicken Baked Ziti! This delicious and spicy twist on the classic Italian dish is sure to become a new family favorite. The combination of creamy cheese, spicy jalapenos, and tender chicken makes for a truly satisfying and flavorful meal that will leave everyone wanting seconds.

With a preparation time of just 30 minutes and a cook time of 45 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight dinne...

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Ingredients

  • 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion flakes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 6 slices bacon, diced
  • 3 medium jalapeno peppers - stemmed, seeded, and minced
  • ¼ cup diced onion
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
  • 1 (16 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
  • 1 (8 ounce) package shredded pepper Jack cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup crushed buttery round crackers
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter, softened

Information

  • Prep Time: 45 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 hrs 25 mins
  • Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 12 servings

  • Combine chicken breasts, chicken broth, salt, pepper, onion flakes, oregano, and garlic for shredded chicken in a medium slow cooker, making sure chicken is completely covered by broth.
  • Cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center, on Low for 5 to 6 hours or on High for 3 to 4 hours.
  • Thirty minutes before chicken is finished cooking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • While ziti is cooking, prepare filling: fry bacon, jalapenos, and onion in a small skillet over medium-high heat until onions are tender and bacon is browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a small mixing bowl with cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and mayonnaise; mix until well combined.
  • Remove chicken from the slow cooker and place into a large bowl; use 2 forks to shred chicken into small pieces. Add cooked ziti and Alfredo sauce; mix well.
  • Pour 1/2 of the chicken-ziti mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle pepper Jack cheese in an even layer over top. Spread jalapeno popper filling evenly across the dish. Pour remaining chicken-ziti mixture into the dish, and sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella over top.
  • Mix crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, and butter for topping together in a small bowl; sprinkle over the pasta dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and just barely starts to turn golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

    • Nutrition

    709 cal.

    • Total Fat: 46g
    • Saturated Fat: 20g
    • Cholesterol: 129mg
    • Sodium: 1322mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 39g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 4g
    • Protein: 36g
    • Vitamin C: 2mg
    • Calcium: 328mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 269mg

    Categories

    Chicken recipes
    Pasta recipes
    Spicy recipes
    Cheesy recipes
    Baked recipes