Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

1 medium head cauliflower

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped

8 ounces cream cheese

½ cup heavy cream

¼ cup chicken broth

4 jalapeno peppers, diced

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup crumbled fried bacon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×9 baking dish with non-stick spray.

Chop the cauliflower into small pieces, about the size of macaroni noodles. Alternatively, rice the cauliflower.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower and boil for 4 minutes.

Drain the water from the cauliflower and place in a large bowl with the chicken.

In a small bowl stir together the cream cheese, heavy cream, chicken broth, jalapenos, and seasonings.

Stir the cream cheese mixture into the cauliflower and chicken to combine. Pour into the prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle with the cheddar and crumbled bacon.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Serve hot.

Notes

To make the dish less spicy, remove seeds and membranes from the jalapeno peppers before chopping. For extra spice, leave the seeds and membranes in and add cayenne pepper to taste.

We prefer to chop the cauliflower by hand into macaroni sized pieces – it mimics pasta well in this dish. Cauliflower rice will work as well, but it does get a bit mushier in texture.

Nutrition Information:

YIELD: 6 SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use something other than cauliflower?

Yes, you can use other low-carb vegetable substitutes like broccoli or zucchini. You can also try using cooked cauliflower rice or even diced turnips for a similar texture.

Is the dish very spicy with the jalapenos?

The spiciness will depend on your tolerance for heat. Jalapenos can range from mild to moderately spicy.

If you’re concerned about the heat, you can remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapenos before dicing them to reduce the spiciness.

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked chicken to save time. Rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken works well.

Just make sure it’s shredded or chopped into small pieces before adding it to the casserole.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. When you’re ready to bake, just place it in the preheated oven.

Keep in mind that you might need to adjust the baking time slightly if the casserole is cold from the refrigerator.

Can I use turkey bacon or regular bacon?

Yes, you can use either turkey bacon or regular bacon based on your preference. Both options will add a nice smoky flavor to the casserole.

Just be sure to crumble the bacon before sprinkling it over the top.

Can I use frozen cauliflower instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen cauliflower if that’s more convenient. Just make sure to thaw and drain it before using it in the recipe.

Keep in mind that frozen cauliflower might have a slightly different texture than fresh cauliflower.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for shredded sharp cheddar cheese, you can experiment with other types of cheese like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a cheese blend.

Choose a cheese that complements the flavors you enjoy.

Is it necessary to fry the bacon beforehand?

Frying the bacon beforehand adds a crispy texture and smoky flavor to the casserole. If you prefer, you can also use pre-cooked bacon or turkey bacon to save time.

Just ensure it’s crumbled before adding to the casserole.

Can I make this casserole keto-friendly?

This recipe is already quite low in carbs due to the cauliflower base. To make it more keto-friendly, ensure that the cream cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth are free of added sugars or thickeners.

You can also adjust the portion sizes to fit your dietary preferences.

Can I adjust the spiciness of the casserole?

Certainly! The heat level can be adjusted by adding more or fewer jalapenos, and you can remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapenos if you want to reduce the spiciness.

If you’re sensitive to heat, you might also consider using milder peppers like poblanos.