Jalapeño Popper Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)

Delicious creamy pasta featuring tender chicken, spicy jalapeños, cheeses, and a crispy breadcrumb topping.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Chicken

03 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (about 10 oz)

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

04 - 2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
05 - ½ small onion, finely chopped
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Cheese & Dairy

07 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
08 - 1 cup whole milk (240 ml)
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (115 g)
10 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (115 g)
11 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Topping

12 - ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (30 g)
13 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
14 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (30 g)

→ Seasonings

15 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
16 - ½ tsp salt
17 - ¼ tsp black pepper

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
02 - Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and jalapeños, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
04 - Lower heat to low. Stir in cream cheese until smooth. Gradually whisk in whole milk until fully incorporated.
05 - Add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring until melted and creamy. Season with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
06 - Fold cooked chicken and drained pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring even coating.
07 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
08 - In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese. Evenly sprinkle over the pasta mixture.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until the topping is golden and the dish is bubbling.
10 - Optionally garnish with extra chopped jalapeños. Serve immediately while hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent but comes together in under 45 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel restaurant-worthy.
  • The creamy sauce clings to every piece of pasta while the jalapeño heat keeps things interesting and prevents any blandness.
  • That golden breadcrumb topping adds textural contrast you won't forget, and it bakes while you pour a drink.
02 -
  • Don't skip the slow melt of the cream cheese—rushing it over high heat creates a broken, grainy sauce that no amount of whisking can fix.
  • Taste the sauce before it goes into the oven because seasoning adjustments are easy now but impossible after baking.
  • The breadcrumb topping is optional but transforms the dish from creamy to textured in the best way; if you skip it, the pasta is still wonderful but loses that signature contrast.
03 -
  • Shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded—it melts smoother and the sauce won't have that grainy texture from anti-caking agents.
  • The key to not overbaking is watching for the edges to bubble; that's when you know the inside is hot all the way through, and the topping is golden without burning.
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