Description
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Pasta is a creamy, spicy dish inspired by the classic appetizer. Tender chicken, pasta, jalapeños, and a cheesy sauce come together for a flavorful, comforting meal with a kick.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic and jalapeños until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Lower heat and stir in cream cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, and smoked paprika. Stir until cheeses are melted and sauce is creamy.
- Add cooked chicken and pasta back into the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Garnish with sliced green onions if desired and serve hot.
Notes
- Adjust the number of jalapeños to control the spice level.
- For extra crunch, top with toasted breadcrumbs before serving.
- Use reduced-fat cream cheese and cheese for a lighter version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: jalapeño popper pasta, spicy chicken pasta, creamy pasta, cheesy chicken dish, easy dinner