Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Tired of the same ol’ recipes when it comes to casseroles? Jalapeno popper chicken casserole turns up the heat on your routine, using affordable, everyday ingredients to pack in the flavor.

Like in many of the Midwest’s hot dish recipes, this jalapeno popper chicken casserole calls for a bag of Tater Tots. Only, instead of using them as a crispy topping, the Tater Tots in this recipe function as a sturdy crust. From there, we add all the essential jalapeno popper ingredients (cream cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, cheese and bacon) and add some shredded rotisserie chicken for good measure.

Ingredients for Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

• Tater Tots: This recipe uses store-bought frozen Tater Tots as a base. For a fun cooking challenge (one that’s actually pretty easy), make homemade Tater Tots.
• Cream cheese: The cream cheese cuts through the heat of the peppers. To cut calories and fat, opt for reduced-fat cream cheese.
• Sour cream: The sour cream adds a wonderful tang to this casserole. If you don’t have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt makes a great substitute.
• Jalapeno peppers: You only need six peppers to bring the heat. And while jalapeno popper recipes aren’t quite the same without jalapenos, you can mix up the peppers to adjust the level of heat. For a spicier casserole, increase the number of peppers or toss in a hotter type of pepper like a habanero or serrano. For a milder jalapeno popper casserole, reduce the number of jalapenos or opt for a milder pepper like a poblano.
• Spices: A simple blend of garlic salt and black pepper seasons the casserole.
• Rotisserie chicken: Using grocery store rotisserie chicken is the best shortcut for any chicken casserole recipe. It saves you so much prep time!
• Mexican cheese: To keep things simple, use store-bought shredded cheese.
• Green onions: The green onions (aka scallions) add a touch of color and mild onion flavor that pairs well with the tangy sour cream and cream cheese.
• Bacon: Everything is better with bacon, right? You’ll need a whole pound of good bacon for this casserole.

Directions

Step 1: Bake the Tater Tots

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Arrange the Tater Tots in an ungreased 13×9-inch pan. Bake the Tater Tots, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Mind your Tater Tots, as the cooking time will vary between brands. You want the exteriors to be golden and crispy, but you don’t want them to dry out.

Step 2: Mix the casserole

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeno peppers, garlic salt and pepper.

Stir in half of the chicken, half of the Mexican cheese, half of the green onion and half of the bacon.

Step 3: Layer and bake

Arrange the remaining chicken over the Tater Tots.

Top the chicken with the cream cheese mixture, then sprinkle with the remaining Mexican cheese, green onion and bacon. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake it until it’s heated through, 20 to 25 minutes.

To serve the jalapeno popper casserole, top it with more sour cream and jalapeno slices.

Recipe Variations

• Add avocado: Serve the casserole with slices of creamy, ripe avocado. To quickly ripen an avocado if it’s not quite ready, throw it in a paper bag with a banana or an apple. The ethylene gas from the other fruits has a ripening effect on avocado.
• Swap the protein: You can use other cooked meats for the recipe like pulled pork, shredded beef or even leftover turkey.
• Use cauliflower Tater Tots: For a low-carb dinner, choose cauliflower Tater Tots instead of potato-based ones. Adjust the cooking time to the recommended time on the package directions.
• Omit the Tater Tots: To omit the Tater Tots from the recipe, grease the baking pan and add the cream cheese mixture to the pan first. Then top it with the remaining chicken, bacon, cheese and green onions, then bake the casserole as directed.
• Bake with pasta: Omit the Tater Tots and instead mix the cream cheese mixture with 16 ounces of cooked pasta (shells, penne and rotini are great options). Put everything in a greased 9×13-inch pan, then top it with the remaining chicken, bacon, cheese and green onions. Bake the casserole as directed.
• Jalapeno popper casserole with rice: If you love an old-fashioned chicken and rice casserole, omit the Tater Tots and instead add 2 cups of cooked long-grain white rice to the cream cheese mixture. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking pan and then top it with the remaining chicken, cheese, bacon and green onions. Bake the casserole as directed.

How to Store Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Like other casserole recipes, this jalapeno popper casserole can be stored in the fridge or in the freezer in an airtight container.

How long does jalapeno popper chicken casserole last?

This easy jalapeno popper chicken casserole will stay fresh for three to four days when stored in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze jalapeno popper chicken casserole?

Yes, you can freeze jalapeno popper chicken casserole. It can be frozen either baked or unbaked for two to three months when covered tightly with storage wrap and foil. Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How do you reheat jalapeno popper chicken casserole?

Reheat this jalapeno popper casserole in the oven at 350° until it’s heated through. You can microwave individual portions; however, the Tater Tots will lose their crispiness.

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole Tips

What can you serve with jalapeno popper chicken casserole?

This dish can be enjoyed on its own as a standalone meal or with a selection of tasty sides. Rice, steamed or roasted veggies or a side salad would be great pairings. I think a batch of jalapeno buttermilk cornbread or homemade crusty French loaves would also be divine.

How spicy are jalapeno peppers?

Jalapenos are generally considered a mild pepper. However, their heat can vary pretty dramatically, measuring from 2,000 to 8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). If you’re sensitive to spice, taste the individual peppers before adding them to a recipe, so you can adjust the heat to your preferences.

Do I have to use rotisserie chicken?

No, you don’t need to use rotisserie chicken to make jalapeno popper chicken casserole. You can make this one with freshly prepared chicken. Cook your chicken as desired and then add it to the casserole as directed. Some of our favorite quick methods for cooking chicken include grilled chicken breasts and poached chicken.