Jalapeño Popper Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Spicy creamy chicken pasta with jalapeños, melted cheeses, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping for a cozy dinner.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

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

→ Chicken

03 - 10 oz cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

→ 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
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
11 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Topping

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

→ Seasonings

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

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch 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; cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
04 - Lower heat to low, stir in cream cheese until melted and smooth. Whisk in whole milk gradually. Add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring until fully melted and creamy. Season with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Fold cooked chicken and pasta into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
06 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
07 - Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the pasta.
08 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the topping is golden and the pasta is bubbly.
09 - Optionally garnish with extra chopped jalapeños. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd think, making weeknight dinners feel special without the fuss.
  • The heat builds gently instead of hitting all at once, letting everyone find their own comfort level with spice.
  • That golden breadcrumb topping adds the perfect textural surprise, like discovering the crispy edge of a just-baked jalapeño popper in every bite.
02 -
  • The moment you taste the cheese sauce, it's going to seem too creamy and mild—trust that the jalapeños and spices will shine once everything bakes together.
  • If you add the milk too quickly or forget to keep the heat low, the cream cheese can seize and become grainy; go slow and stir constantly.
  • The difference between a soggy topping and a crispy one is the timing of the bake; check it at 15 minutes because ovens vary wildly.
03 -
  • Make sure your cream cheese is truly softened before you start; cold cream cheese causes lumps that no amount of whisking fixes.
  • Taste the sauce before it goes into the oven and season generously—baking mutes flavors slightly, so it should taste a touch overseasoned at this point.
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