Get ready for a flavor explosion with this incredible Jalapeño Popper Chicken and Hash Brown Casserole! Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, a satisfying brunch, or a delicious dinner, this dish delivers on all fronts. It’s packed with savory chicken, crispy hash browns, and the irresistible cheesy, spicy kick of your favorite jalapeño poppers. So easy to prepare, this casserole is sure to become a family favorite, offering both protein and incredible taste in every bite. For a delightful twist, you can even substitute chicken with flavorful ground breakfast sausage.

Table of Contents
- Why This Casserole is a Must-Try
- Essential Ingredients for Your Casserole
- Customize Your Casserole: Variations & Substitutions
- Step-by-Step Guide to Making This Recipe
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Casserole
- Expert Tips for Casserole Perfection
- Other Irresistible Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
- Full Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken And Hash Brown Casserole
Why This Jalapeño Popper Chicken and Hash Brown Casserole is a Must-Try
If the mere mention of crisp bacon, creamy cheese, and a hint of spicy jalapeño makes your mouth water, then prepare to fall head over heels for this casserole! This recipe masterfully combines all the beloved elements of a classic jalapeño popper – the rich, tangy creaminess, and that signature fiery kick – with the satisfying heartiness of tender chicken and perfectly golden hash browns. It’s not just a meal; it’s a comforting experience, designed to be both incredibly flavorful and wonderfully easy to assemble.
Imagine a single dish that effortlessly transitions from a robust morning meal to a comforting dinner centerpiece. This casserole is precisely that! It’s perfect for feeding a hungry crowd at brunch, making it a star at potlucks, or simply enjoying a cozy family dinner on a busy weeknight. Its rich flavors and wholesome ingredients ensure everyone leaves the table feeling satisfied and happy.
Effortless Preparation for Any Cook
One of the most significant advantages of this Jalapeño Popper Chicken and Hash Brown Casserole is its remarkable simplicity. You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to achieve spectacular results. The process involves a few straightforward steps, making it an ideal recipe for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. Every instruction is laid out clearly, guiding you to a delicious outcome. If you’re looking to minimize effort even further, consider using pre-cooked shredded rotisserie chicken. This simple hack transforms the dish into a truly “dump and bake” marvel, drastically cutting down on active prep time without sacrificing any of the deliciousness. For another super easy and equally comforting chicken casserole, be sure to try my Chicken and Tomato Casserole, which also utilizes the convenience of rotisserie chicken for ultimate ease.
Perfect for Meal Prep and Busy Schedules
Beyond its ease of preparation, this casserole is a champion of **meal prep**. You can assemble the entire dish ahead of time, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and means that when you’re ready to eat, simply pop it into the oven. This makes it an invaluable asset for busy weeknights, allowing you to enjoy a homemade, hearty meal without the last-minute rush. Alternatively, you can bake the casserole completely, then divide it into individual portions. These portions can be stored in airtight containers for quick, satisfying lunches or dinners throughout the week. It reheats beautifully, maintaining its creamy texture and zesty flavor, making your weekdays so much smoother.
Infinitely Customizable to Your Taste Buds
This recipe offers remarkable flexibility, allowing you to tailor it precisely to your preferences. Do you crave more heat? Feel free to add extra diced jalapeños, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or even a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the mixture. Prefer a milder flavor profile? Simply reduce the quantity of jalapeños, or remove the seeds and membranes (where most of the capsaicin resides) for just a subtle hint of their unique taste. You can even omit them entirely if spice isn’t your thing, although they do contribute a fantastic depth of flavor that complements the other ingredients wonderfully. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of shredded cheese, incorporate additional vegetables, or adjust the protein to truly make this casserole your own culinary masterpiece. It’s a forgiving recipe that encourages creativity!
Essential Ingredients for Your Ultimate Jalapeño Popper Casserole
Crafting this hearty and flavorful casserole begins with a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of cheesy, spicy, and satisfying textures. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to bring this delicious dish to life:

The Heart of the Casserole: Protein Choices
- Chicken Breasts: For this recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are an excellent choice. They cook relatively quickly and are incredibly easy to shred once cooked, blending seamlessly into the casserole’s creamy texture. We’ll season them well and cook them to perfection before they join the other ingredients.
Time-Saving Tip: To significantly simplify your prep, substitute with pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken. This cuts out a major cooking step, making the casserole even quicker to assemble. Approximately 2.5 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken will be the perfect amount. - Ground Breakfast Sausage: For a delicious and hearty alternative, especially if you’re serving this for breakfast or brunch, consider using 1 pound of ground breakfast sausage. Its savory, slightly sweet, and herby notes complement the other ingredients beautifully, adding a rich, distinct dimension of flavor.
The Crispy, Smoky Foundation: Bacon
Bacon is more than just an add-in; it’s a foundational flavor builder for this casserole. We’ll cook the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy, then chop it into bite-sized pieces to ensure a delightful texture and smoky depth throughout the dish. A crucial step involves reserving some of the rendered bacon grease. This savory liquid gold will be used to cook the chicken breasts and lightly coat your baking dish, infusing every layer with an extra layer of irresistible bacon flavor. This method allows us to use the bacon grease in place of butter, significantly enhancing the overall taste profile. If you happen to have leftover bacon from another meal, or just love bacon-infused dishes, you might also enjoy my Creamy Tuscan Chicken Skillet.
The Ultimate Base: Hash Browns
No hearty, breakfast-inspired casserole is complete without the comforting presence of hash browns! We utilize frozen, pre-shredded hash browns for ultimate convenience. It’s important to allow them to thaw slightly before mixing them into the casserole. You can achieve this by simply moving them from the freezer to the refrigerator a few hours prior to cooking, or even overnight. Thawing ensures they integrate well with the other ingredients, cook evenly, and achieve that desired tender-crisp texture when baked.
The Creamy & Cheesy Binders
- Cream Cheese: An absolutely essential ingredient that delivers the signature rich, tangy creaminess reminiscent of actual jalapeño poppers. It acts as a binding agent, holding the casserole together and creating a luxurious, comforting texture that’s incredibly satisfying. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese: This cheese is chosen specifically for its excellent melting properties and mild, buttery flavor, which pairs wonderfully with the subtle spice of the jalapeños. We’ll strategically use half for the casserole mixture to infuse flavor and half for a glorious, bubbly topping that forms a golden crust.
- Milk: A splash of milk (any kind, 2% works perfectly) helps to create a smooth, pourable, and creamy base when combined with the softened cream cheese and seasonings, ensuring the casserole isn’t too dense but rather perfectly moist.
Flavor Enhancers: Seasonings & Freshness
- Diced Jalapeños: The undeniable star of the show! Freshly diced jalapeños provide that distinct pop of vibrant flavor and a customizable level of heat. Remember to reserve a few slices for garnish to add a fresh, colorful touch to the finished dish. You can easily control the spice level by removing the seeds and membranes if you prefer a milder version.
- Green Onions: Diced green onions are a fantastic garnish, offering a mild oniony bite and a splash of bright green color that livens up the final presentation of the dish.
- The Spice Cabinet Essentials: A carefully chosen blend of common but impactful spices elevates the overall taste profile, ensuring every bite is bursting with savory goodness.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Fundamental for seasoning the chicken and the entire casserole mixture, bringing out all the natural flavors.
- Cayenne Pepper: Adds an extra layer of gentle heat and warmth, enhancing the jalapeño’s kick without overpowering the dish.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These essential aromatics provide savory depth and umami notes that complement both the chicken and the creamy cheese base beautifully.
- Dried Dill & Dried Basil: These herbs, while sometimes unexpected in a dish like this, add a wonderfully subtle freshness and complexity, making the flavors truly pop and giving the casserole an irresistible aroma.
All exact measurements for these essential ingredients, along with detailed step-by-step instructions, are conveniently located in the complete recipe card further down this page. Make sure to consult it for precise quantities!
Customize Your Casserole: Endless Variations & Smart Substitutions
One of the true joys of cooking is the ability to adapt recipes to suit your palate, dietary needs, or simply what you have readily available in your pantry. This Jalapeño Popper Chicken and Hash Brown Casserole is incredibly versatile, inviting you to experiment with flavors and ingredients to create your perfect version. Here are some fantastic ways to customize your dish, making it uniquely yours:
Protein Power-Ups: Beyond Chicken
- Shredded Rotisserie Chicken: As highlighted earlier, this is a game-changer for speed and convenience. Opt for a plain rotisserie chicken, or choose one seasoned with herbs or garlic to add another convenient layer of flavor to your casserole. Approximately 2.5 cups of shredded chicken will work perfectly.
- Breakfast Sausage: Elevate the breakfast or brunch vibes by swapping the chicken for 1 pound of browned ground breakfast sausage. Its inherent spices, often including sage and black pepper, along with its fat content, will lend a rich, savory depth that perfectly complements the hash browns and creamy base. Cook it until perfectly browned and crumbly before incorporating it into the mixture.
- Ground Beef or Turkey: For a different meal entirely, brown 1 pound of lean ground beef or turkey with your chosen seasonings (taco seasoning works well for a Mexican twist!). This transforms the casserole into a heartier, more traditional dinner dish that’s incredibly satisfying.
Hash Brown Alternatives for Texture Variety
- Diced Breakfast Potatoes: If you prefer a chunkier potato texture, pre-diced breakfast potatoes (fresh or frozen, thawed) can be used as a delicious substitute for shredded hash browns. To ensure they become tender during baking, it’s best to thaw them completely and, if possible, par-cook them slightly beforehand.
- Sweet Potatoes: For a delightful touch of natural sweetness and a vibrant pop of color, consider using shredded or diced sweet potatoes instead of regular hash browns. This creates a fascinating sweet and spicy contrast that’s both intriguing and delicious.
- Cauliflower Rice: For a lower-carb option, you could experiment with well-drained, sautéed cauliflower rice. Note that this will significantly change the texture and flavor profile, making it a different kind of dish but still a tasty one!
Creaminess Factor: Dairy Swaps
- Sour Cream: While cream cheese provides a dense, rich creaminess, sour cream can be used as a substitute for a lighter, tangier profile. Be aware that using sour cream may result in a slightly more fluid casserole texture, as it typically has a higher moisture content than cream cheese.
- Greek Yogurt: For an even healthier, protein-packed option, plain Greek yogurt can also work in place of some of the cream cheese. It adds tang and creaminess while significantly reducing the fat content. Just ensure it’s full-fat for the best texture.
- Different Cheeses: Don’t limit yourself to Monterey Jack! Pepper Jack cheese will amplify the spice, while Colby Jack offers a milder, more familiar flavor. A sharp cheddar can add a robust, tangy bite.
Making it Healthier: Guilt-Free Indulgence
- Leaner Protein Choices: Opt for turkey bacon instead of traditional pork bacon to reduce saturated fat, or use extra-lean ground chicken or turkey in place of fattier meats.
- Reduce Cheese: While cheese is undeniably key for the “jalapeño popper” flavor, you can strategically reduce the overall quantity of cheese or choose a low-fat shredded cheese option without completely sacrificing the experience.
- Veggie Boost: Significantly increase the nutritional value, fiber, and vitamin content by adding a generous amount of diced vegetables. Great additions include diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange for beautiful color and sweetness), fresh spinach (wilted and squeezed dry), finely chopped zucchini, or sautéed mushrooms. Sautéing these veggies lightly beforehand helps to remove excess moisture and concentrate their flavors.
Other Exciting Add-Ins for Extra Flavor
- Corn: A ½ cup of thawed corn kernels adds a lovely burst of natural sweetness and delightful pops of texture that beautifully complement the spice of the jalapeños.
- Additional Bell Peppers: One diced bell pepper (any color) not only adds vibrant color but also a mild, sweet crunch, enhancing the overall texture profile.
- Fresh Herbs: Elevate the freshness factor with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, chives, or parsley as a garnish just before serving, or mix them into the casserole just before baking for subtle herby notes.
- Mexican-Inspired Flair: For a bolder, more Mexican-inspired dish, consider serving individual portions with a dollop of fresh salsa, creamy guacamole, or extra fresh cilantro. If you enjoy this flavor profile, you might also love my Enchilada Casserole.
- Smoked Paprika: A teaspoon of smoked paprika can add a wonderful smoky depth to the entire dish, enhancing the flavors of the bacon and jalapeños, and giving the casserole a richer aroma.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Jalapeño Popper Casserole
Creating this delicious and comforting casserole is a straightforward process, broken down into a few easy-to-follow steps. Pay attention to the details and preparations at each stage to ensure a perfectly cooked, flavorful dish every single time. The effort you put in now will be rewarded with an incredibly satisfying meal!

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Step One: Prepare the Crispy Bacon
Begin by cooking your bacon. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (a 9-inch cast iron skillet is ideal for even heat distribution), cook the slices of bacon over medium heat until they are perfectly crispy and golden brown. Once cooked to your desired crispness, carefully remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess fat. This step ensures your bacon remains crispy. Importantly, **reserve 2-3 tablespoons of the rendered bacon grease** in the skillet – this flavorful fat will be essential for cooking the chicken and adding incredible depth to your casserole. Once the bacon has cooled slightly, chop it into bite-sized pieces and set it aside for later use as both an ingredient and a garnish.
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Step Two: Cook the Chicken (or Sausage)
If you’re using fresh chicken breasts, carefully cut each boneless, skinless breast in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the seasoned chicken to the same skillet where you reserved the bacon grease. Cook for approximately 8-10 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Using a meat thermometer is recommended to ensure food safety and perfectly tender chicken.
Alternatively: If opting for ground breakfast sausage, cook it in the same pan, breaking it up with a spoon as it browns, until it’s fully cooked through and no pink remains. Drain any excess grease before proceeding to the next step. -
Step Three: Shred Chicken & Prepare for Baking
Once the chicken breasts are cooked, transfer them to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for quick and effortless shredding. Alternatively, you can easily shred the chicken by hand using two forks, pulling the meat apart until it reaches your desired consistency. Set the shredded chicken aside.
Now, prepare your baking environment: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. For an extra layer of irresistible flavor and to enhance browning, you can drizzle a bit of that reserved bacon grease and spread it evenly across the bottom and sides of the pan. This step is crucial for preventing sticking and infusing the bottom layer of hash browns with a wonderful smoky note.
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Step Four: Assemble the Creamy Casserole Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, begin to combine the creamy and flavorful base ingredients. Add ½ cup of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese, the entire 8 oz package of softened cream cheese (ensure it’s at room temperature for smooth mixing), the remaining melted bacon grease (or an equal amount of melted butter as a substitute if needed), and ½ cup of milk (any type, 2% works well). Incorporate all the seasonings: ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, ½ tsp dried basil, and ½ tsp dried dill. Stir this mixture vigorously until it is well combined and beautifully smooth, with no lumps of cream cheese remaining.
Next, gently fold in the finely diced jalapeños (remember to reserve a few slices for a fresh garnish later!), along with approximately ⅔ of the chopped crispy bacon. Give it another good stir to ensure everything is evenly distributed within the creamy sauce. Finally, add the cooked shredded chicken (or browned sausage) and the completely thawed hash browns to the bowl. Mix everything thoroughly but gently, ensuring all ingredients are well coated in the rich, creamy sauce. Spoon the entire mixture evenly into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out to form a uniform layer.
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Step Five: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the casserole dish carefully into your preheated oven and bake for an initial 30-35 minutes. During this time, the casserole will begin to heat through and set. After this initial baking period, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the top of the casserole, creating a delicious crust. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully golden brown and bubbling enthusiastically, and the edges appear slightly crispy. The internal temperature of the casserole should be consistently hot throughout.
Once baked to perfection, pull the casserole from the oven. This next step is crucial for optimal serving: let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes on a wire rack. This resting period allows the casserole to set, making it much easier to slice and serve neatly without falling apart. Before serving, garnish generously with your reserved fresh sliced jalapeños, finely diced green onions, and any leftover crispy bacon pieces for an irresistible finish. Serve warm and prepare for compliments!
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Step Six: Serve and Savor!
After a brief but essential resting period, your magnificent Jalapeño Popper Chicken and Hash Brown Casserole is ready! The flavors will have melded beautifully, and the cheese will be perfectly set, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Slice into generous portions and serve immediately. This dish is fantastic on its own as a complete meal, or you can pair it with a light side salad for a refreshing contrast. Get ready for rave reviews and empty plates!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Hearty Casserole
The beauty of this Jalapeño Popper Chicken and Hash Brown Casserole lies in its incredible versatility. While hash browns are traditionally a breakfast staple, the savory chicken, crisp bacon, and cheesy goodness make it an equally fantastic and hearty option for dinner. It’s truly a dish that shines at any meal, offering robust flavors that satisfy whether you’re starting your day or winding down. Many families enjoy it for brunch, too!
Absolutely! This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to different proteins. Instead of chicken, you can easily use 1 pound of browned ground beef or ground breakfast sausage. Both options offer a delicious twist and integrate wonderfully with the hash browns and creamy cheese sauce. Feel free to experiment with ground turkey for a leaner option, or even leftover shredded pork for a unique variation!
To maintain freshness and flavor, store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For reheating, individual portions can be quickly warmed in the microwave. For best results with larger portions, reheat the casserole in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, often covered loosely with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
Yes, this casserole freezes exceptionally well! Allow the baked casserole to cool completely before preparing it for the freezer. You can wrap it tightly in several layers of plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven until warmed through.
Adjusting the spice level is easy! To make the casserole milder, simply remove the seeds and white membranes from the jalapeños before dicing them, as these parts contain most of the heat. For an even milder flavor, you can use fewer jalapeños or substitute them with a milder pepper like diced green chilies. If you love heat and want to kick it up a notch, add extra diced jalapeños, a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mixture, or drizzle a dash of your favorite hot sauce on top before serving.
For convenience and consistency, frozen, pre-shredded hash browns are recommended. Ensure they are completely thawed and, ideally, patted dry to remove excess moisture before mixing into the casserole. This prevents the casserole from becoming watery and helps achieve a better texture.
Expert Tips for Casserole Perfection
Achieving a truly outstanding casserole often comes down to a few thoughtful techniques and preparations. Here are some expert tips to ensure your Jalapeño Popper Chicken and Hash Brown Casserole turns out perfectly delicious every time, impressing both your family and guests:
- Ensure Hash Browns are Fully Thawed and Dry: This is a critical step. Make sure your frozen hash browns are completely thawed before you mix them into the casserole. Even better, after thawing, gently pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This prevents the casserole from becoming soggy or watery and promotes a better, crisper texture once baked. Laying them out on a baking sheet for 15-20 minutes after thawing can also help them dry out.
- Thoroughly Cook and Season Your Protein: Always ensure the chicken (or any meat substitute) is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before shredding and adding it to the mixture. Cooking the chicken directly in the reserved bacon grease not only ensures proper cooking but also infuses it with a fantastic foundational flavor that will permeate the entire dish. For maximum ease and time-saving, remember that pre-cooked shredded rotisserie chicken is an excellent shortcut that doesn’t compromise on taste.
- Don’t Skimp on Seasoning the Base: While the jalapeños and bacon bring bold flavors, a well-seasoned creamy base is crucial for a balanced casserole. Taste your creamy mixture before adding the chicken and hash browns (ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature for the best mixing and flavor distribution). Adjust the salt, pepper, and other spices to your personal preference. A little extra garlic powder or a pinch more cayenne can make a big difference!
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese is Key: For a silky-smooth, lump-free creamy sauce, it is imperative that your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. Cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy sauce that doesn’t blend evenly with the milk and other ingredients. Plan ahead and take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes to an hour before you start.
- Embrace the Flavor of Bacon Grease: The reserved bacon grease isn’t just for cooking the chicken; it’s a secret weapon for flavor! Use a tablespoon or two to lightly grease your baking dish. This infuses the very bottom layer of hash browns with extra smoky flavor and helps prevent sticking, ensuring a beautiful, crispy crust forms on the bottom of your casserole. If you don’t have enough bacon grease, melted butter is a perfectly acceptable substitute, but the bacon grease adds that extra special touch.
- The Importance of Resting: This is a golden rule for many baked dishes, and casseroles are certainly no exception. Allowing the casserole to rest for at least 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven is crucial. This resting period allows the hot ingredients to settle, the creamy sauce to firm up slightly, and the cheese to solidify. This makes for cleaner, neater slices and a less messy, more enjoyable serving experience.
- Advanced Meal Prep Option: To make future meals even easier, you can assemble the entire casserole (up to the point of baking) a full day in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes to an hour prior to baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature. Then, bake as directed (you might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the total baking time since it’s starting from a colder temperature).
- Monitor Baking Times Closely: It’s important to remember that actual baking times can vary significantly based on your individual oven’s calibration and the specific type of casserole dish you’re using (e.g., glass, ceramic, or metal). Always keep a watchful eye on your casserole, looking for visual cues such as beautifully golden-brown, enthusiastically bubbling cheese, and a heated-through center. If you notice the top browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning while the center finishes cooking.
Other Irresistible Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
If you’ve enjoyed the hearty flavors and easy preparation of this chicken and hash brown casserole, you’re in for a treat with these other fantastic chicken-focused recipes. From zesty and fresh salads to creamy and comforting pasta dishes, there’s a chicken meal here to inspire your next culinary adventure and keep your menu exciting!
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Honey Garlic Lemon Chicken
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Cheesy Chicken Pasta
Salads
Cajun Chicken Salad
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Chicken Crunch Wrap Supreme
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Jalapeño Popper Chicken And Hash Brown Casserole
Bailey Rhatigan
15
1
1
4
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe
Equipment
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Large 9″ skillet
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9×13 casserole dish (or one similar in size)
Ingredients
- 9-11 slices bacon, about .5 – .75 lb
- 2 large chicken breasts, about .75 lbs (or 1 lb of ground breakfast sausage)
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup milk , any type, 2% recommended
- 2-3 Tbsp bacon grease , or melted butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried dill
- 2.75 cup thawed hash browns, shredded, ensure thawed
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, separated (½ cup for mixture, ½ cup for topping)
- 2-3 Jalapeños, diced (reserve some for garnish)
- ¼ cup green onions, diced (for garnish)
Instructions
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Cook the bacon in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet until crispy. Remove the bacon, chop into bite-sized pieces, and set aside. Reserve 2-3 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.
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Cut chicken breasts in half, season with salt and pepper. Cook in the reserved bacon grease for 8-10 minutes per side until fully cooked (165ºF internal temperature). If using ground breakfast sausage, brown it in the pan until cooked through and drain excess grease.
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Shred the cooked chicken using a stand mixer or by hand. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or drizzle with bacon grease.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, cream cheese, melted bacon grease (or butter), milk, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, dried basil, dried dill, diced jalapeños (reserving some for garnish), and ⅔ of the chopped bacon. Stir well. Fold in the shredded chicken (or cooked sausage) and thawed hash browns. Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
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Bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of Monterey Jack cheese. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.
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Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes to set. Garnish with reserved sliced jalapeños, diced green onions, and any leftover crispy bacon. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
*Chicken Substitute: Use approximately 2.5 cups of pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken in place of raw chicken breasts for quicker prep.
*Milk Type: Any milk of choice works; 2% is a great all-purpose option.
*Hash Brown Alternatives: Pre-diced breakfast potatoes (thawed) will also work well in place of shredded hash browns.
*Baking Time Variability: Please note that using a different size or type of casserole dish (e.g., glass, ceramic, metal) will alter the baking times. Always monitor your casserole for golden-brown, bubbling cheese and a heated-through center.
*Ground Breakfast Sausage Instructions: If using ground breakfast sausage, cook it in a skillet until browned, then drain excess fat thoroughly. Add it into the mixture when the recipe calls for shredded chicken, and proceed with all subsequent steps as directed.
*Storage & Freezing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Ensure it is thawed completely in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.
Nutrition
Calories: 644kcal |
Carbohydrates: 35g |
Protein: 41g |
Fat: 40g |
Saturated Fat: 16g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 15g |
Trans Fat: 0.1g |
Cholesterol: 140mg |
Sodium: 975mg |
Potassium: 1020mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 2g |
Vitamin A: 433IU |
Vitamin C: 14mg |
Calcium: 280mg |
Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Bailey Rhatigan
15
1
1
Breakfast, Dinner, Brunch
American
4
644
Casserole, Chicken, Jalapeño Popper, Hash Brown, Breakfast, Dinner, Comfort Food
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