Irresistible Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Chicken Breast: A Flavor-Packed, Easy Dinner Recipe

Prepare to elevate your dinner game with this incredible recipe for Stuffed Chicken Breast with Cheese! This isn’t just any stuffed chicken; it’s generously packed with a tantalizing blend of creamy cheese, zesty jalapeños, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar, all encased within a perfectly seasoned chicken breast. To crown this masterpiece, a final layer of melted, bubbly cheese creates an irresistible crust. Despite its gourmet appeal, this dish is surprisingly easy to make, promising a burst of flavor in every single bite. It’s the perfect blend of comfort food and exciting taste, ideal for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

If you’re searching for an easy stuffed chicken breast recipe that delivers maximum flavor without the fuss, you’ve found it. This jalapeño popper chicken breast takes inspiration from the beloved appetizer and transforms it into a hearty, satisfying main course. The combination of spicy jalapeño, salty bacon, and rich cheeses creates a symphony of tastes and textures that will have everyone asking for seconds. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this simple yet sophisticated dish that’s sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.

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Why You’ll Love This Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

This stuffed chicken breast recipe stands out for several reasons. Firstly, it offers an incredible depth of flavor that punches above its weight, making it feel like a fancy restaurant meal from the comfort of your home kitchen. The savory combination of bacon, jalapeño, and three kinds of cheese ensures that every mouthful is an exciting experience. Secondly, it’s remarkably straightforward to prepare, even for those new to cooking with chicken. The steps are clear, and the techniques are simple, yet the result is always impressive.

Beyond the taste and ease, this recipe is incredibly versatile. It’s a fantastic way to utilize common pantry staples, and with a few minor tweaks, you can adapt it to suit different dietary preferences or ingredient availability. The high protein content from the chicken and cheese makes it a filling and nutritious option, perfect for a balanced meal. Plus, the vibrant colors and delightful aroma make it an appealing dish that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. Say goodbye to dry, bland chicken and hello to juicy, flavorful perfection!

Ingredients for the Ultimate Stuffed Chicken Breast

One of the best aspects of this recipe is that it leverages ingredients you likely already have on hand, or that are easily accessible at any grocery store. We’re talking about components that deliver a big punch in the flavor department without requiring exotic or hard-to-find items. While fresh jalapeños are highly recommended for their vibrant flavor and texture, don’t despair if you’re in a pinch; canned diced peppers, a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or a spoonful of salsa can provide that essential spicy kick.

You won’t encounter anything truly out of the ordinary here. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the robust flavor profile of this stuffed chicken breast. For the best results, aim for good quality chicken breasts – large, boneless, and skinless are ideal, as they provide ample space for stuffing. The cheeses are the heart of the filling: cream cheese for its luxurious creaminess, and sharp cheddar for that irresistible tang and melt. Bacon bits add a smoky, salty crunch that perfectly complements the other flavors. Seasonings like kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and sweet smoked paprika are essential for enhancing the chicken’s natural taste and adding a beautiful aroma.

A little insider tip for assembly: while toothpicks can work in a pinch, investing in some butcher’s twine is highly recommended. It’s truly the best way to secure the chicken breasts, ensuring the delicious filling stays put during cooking. Butcher’s twine helps maintain the chicken’s shape, leading to a more evenly cooked and visually appealing final product. Make sure to have it ready before you start assembling!

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions.

Crafting Your Stuffed Chicken Breast: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this flavorful stuffed chicken breast is a rewarding process. We’ll break it down into simple, manageable steps, ensuring you achieve perfect results every time. Follow along carefully to master this delicious recipe.

Step 1: Prepare the Irresistible Filling

The journey to flavor begins with our mouth-watering filling. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, finely diced and seeded jalapeño peppers, and the crispy bacon bits. The key here is to ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature; this makes it much easier to blend into a smooth, cohesive mixture. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press and mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and evenly distributed. You’re looking for a thick, spreadable consistency that will hold its shape when stuffed into the chicken. The vibrant colors of the jalapeño and bacon against the creamy cheeses are already a treat for the eyes!

Step 2: Butterfly and Tenderize the Chicken Breasts

Next, we prepare the chicken breasts to create a perfect pocket for our filling. Place each chicken breast on a cutting board. Carefully slice each breast horizontally, starting from the thickest side, almost all the way through but leaving about half an inch intact on the opposite side. This “butterflying” technique opens the chicken up like a book. To ensure even cooking and a tender texture, place the butterflied chicken between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or a heavy rolling pin, gently pound the chicken until it reaches an even thickness of about half an inch. This step is crucial for tenderizing the meat and creating a uniform surface for stuffing and rolling.

Step 3: Season, Stuff, and Secure the Chicken

Once the chicken breasts are butterflied and tenderized, it’s time for seasoning. Generously season both the inside (the surface that will be in contact with the filling) and the outside of each chicken breast with kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and sweet smoked paprika. This layering of seasoning ensures flavor throughout the dish. Now, take about 2-3 tablespoons of your prepared filling mixture and spoon it onto one half of each seasoned chicken breast. Don’t overfill, as you want to be able to close it securely. Gently fold the other half of the chicken breast over the filling to create a neat package. To keep the filling locked in, roll each stuffed chicken breast tightly and then secure it using kitchen twine, tying it a few times across the width, or by piercing it with a couple of toothpicks. This ensures the chicken maintains its shape and the cheese doesn’t escape during baking.

Step 4: Bake and Broil to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 425˚F (220˚C). Arrange the secured chicken breasts on a parchment-lined baking sheet – this makes for effortless cleanup! Drizzle a little olive oil over the top of each chicken breast; this helps with browning and keeps the chicken moist. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken (avoiding the filling) registers 165˚F (74˚C). This internal temperature ensures the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.

Once the chicken reaches the desired internal temperature, carefully remove it from the oven. At this point, gently snip and remove the kitchen twine or carefully pull out the toothpicks. Now, for the final, glorious touch: sprinkle a generous amount of extra shredded cheddar cheese over the top of each chicken breast. Return the baking sheet to the oven, switching your oven to the broiler setting. Broil for 2-4 minutes, keeping a very close eye on it, until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and has developed a golden, crispy, crunchy crust. This creates an incredible textural contrast that takes the dish from great to absolutely phenomenal.

The crispy, crunchy cheese on top just makes it the absolute best! It provides a delightful texture that contrasts beautifully with the tender, juicy chicken and the creamy, spicy filling. The sweetness from the cream cheese perfectly balances the subtle heat from the jalapeño, creating a harmonious and utterly addictive flavor profile. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor. Serve hot and enjoy every incredible bite!

What to Serve with Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Chicken Breast

This flavorful stuffed chicken breast is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes to create a well-rounded and satisfying dinner. Here are some suggestions to complement its rich flavors:

• Roasted Vegetables: Simple roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper are perfect. Their slight char and crispness provide a lovely contrast to the creamy chicken. Our images show it beautifully served with roasted broccoli!
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: A classic comfort food, mashed potatoes provide a smooth, rich base that soaks up any delicious juices from the chicken. Sweet potato mash is also a fantastic option for a touch of sweetness.
• Rice Pilaf or Quinoa: For a lighter grain option, a fluffy rice pilaf or a wholesome quinoa salad with fresh herbs can be a great accompaniment.
• Simple Green Salad: A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing can cut through the richness of the chicken, offering a refreshing balance to the meal.
• Corn on the Cob or Corn Salad: The sweetness of corn (either grilled, boiled, or in a fresh salad) pairs exceptionally well with the spicy and savory notes of the jalapeño popper chicken.
• Crusty Bread: Don’t forget a good crusty bread or garlic bread to mop up any leftover sauces and juices!

Choose sides that are relatively simple to prepare, as the chicken is the star of the show. Aim for balance in flavors and textures to create an unforgettable dining experience.

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📖 Recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Stuffed Chicken Breast with Cheese and Jalapeño

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
45 minutes

This recipe for Stuffed Chicken Breast with Cheese is also packed with jalapeno, bacon, and cheddar & bursting with flavor in every bite!

Ingredients

• 4 ounces Cream Cheese, room temp
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
• 2 Jalapeño Peppers, seeded and diced
• ½ cup Bacon Bits
• 4 large Chicken Breasts, split half way
• Kosher Salt
• Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
• Sweet Smoked Paprika
• Kitchen Twine or Tooth Picks
• Olive oil, for drizzling before cooking

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425˚F (220˚C).

In a small bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, shredded cheddar, diced jalapeños, and bacon bits. Use a spatula to press and mix everything together until you have a cohesive, well-blended filling mixture. Set this aside.

Carefully split each chicken breast in half lengthwise, cutting almost all the way through but leaving about 1/2 inch intact on one side, allowing it to open like a book. If desired, place the chicken between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap and gently pound them out slightly with a meat mallet to an even 1/2-inch thickness for quicker, more even cooking.

Generously season both the inside surfaces and the outside of the butterflied chicken breasts with kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and sweet smoked paprika.

With the chicken breast opened, spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared cheese mixture onto one half of the chicken.

Fold the other half of the chicken breast over the filling to enclose it. Secure each stuffed chicken breast by rolling it tightly and tying it with kitchen twine at a few points, or by using a couple of toothpicks to hold the edges closed.

Place the prepared chicken breasts on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy cleanup. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the top of each chicken breast.

Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken (avoiding the filling) reads at least 165˚F (74˚C).

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and carefully remove the kitchen twine or toothpicks. Sprinkle a bit more shredded cheddar cheese over the top of each chicken breast. Turn your oven’s setting to broil (high heat). Place the chicken under the broiler for 2-4 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese melts, bubbles, and becomes golden brown and crispy.

Let the stuffed chicken breasts rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and moist result.

Notes

Notes & Tips

When splitting open the chicken breasts, work in smooth short strokes with a sharp knife. This will help ensure you don’t cut all the way through, keeping the backside intact for a perfect pocket.

If you do accidentally split a hole in the chicken, don’t fret! Just press it closed firmly after wrapping and tying up the chicken. Some cheese may leak out, but not much, and it will still taste amazing.

For the smoothest filling, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. If it’s cold, you can microwave it in 15-second bursts until it’s soft and spreadable, stirring between each interval.

Tenderizing the chicken between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap keeps your kitchen and workspace clean, preventing any mess. You can also season the chicken while it’s still wrapped, then easily discard the plastic.

Substitutions

I love classic sharp cheddar for this mixture, but white cheddar or an extra sharp cheddar would also hold up well and add unique flavor notes.

While this recipe is fantastic as is, for a change, try blue cheese in place of the cheddar and omit the jalapeño for a bolder, tangier flavor. Or, if you prefer no spice, simply drop the jalapeño; cheddar bacon is a perfect filling on its own.

For a taste similar to Chicken Cordon Bleu, consider using quality ham and Swiss cheese (Gruyere is an excellent choice) in place of the bacon, jalapeño, and cheddar.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 513Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 159mgSodium: 689mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 50g

This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used.

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