Creamy Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Chili Recipe (2025)

Jalapeñopoppers are the ultimate party appetizer — cream cheese filling, crunchy bacon, all stuffed inside tender jalapenos. The flavors do not disappoint in traditional form, and the same goes when incorporated into this creamy white chicken chili, brought to us by recipe developer Leah Maroney.

You'll start by marinating the chicken in lime juice and Sazon seasoning, then you'll roast it right alongside the jalapeños. The chicken is simmered with chicken broth and heavy cream for extra decadence. Cream cheese adds even more creaminess and serves as an ode to the jalapeñopopper filling. Crispy bacon adds tons of smoky flavor and makes a perfect topping alongside the fresh jalapeños and chopped scallions.

We love serving this chili with homemade cornbread, but any bread will do. You just need something that can soak up any remaining goodness in the bottom of your bowl. A side salad is also a nice addition to make this chili a complete meal. Whatever you do, make sure to serve the soup with extra bacon bits, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Read more: 20 Popular Canned Soups, Ranked Worst To Best

Gather The Ingredients For Jalapeño Popper White Chicken Chili

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Chicken breasts serve as the meaty foundation, and you'll need some olive oil and a Sazon seasoning packet to season. Other ingredients include lime juice, chicken bouillon, fresh jalapeños, bacon, onion, garlic, chicken stock, heavy cream, shredded cheddar Jack cheese, cream cheese, scallions, and cilantro.

Step 1: Marinate The Chicken

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Combine the chicken with the olive oil, lime juice, Sazon seasoning, and chicken bouillon in a large bowl. Cover and marinate for 1 hour.

Step 2: Preheat The Oven

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Preheat the oven to 375 F.

Step 3: Bake The Chicken And Jalapeños

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Pour the marinated chicken onto a parchment lined baking sheet along with 5 jalapeños. Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.

Step 4: Shred The Chicken

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Allow the chicken to cool, then shred.

Step 5: Peel And Dice The Jalapeños

Peel the skins off the jalapeños and dice. (Remove the seeds if you are looking for a less spicy chili).

Step 6: Crisp The Bacon

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Crisp the bacon in a large pot.

Step 7: Drain The Bacon

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Remove the bacon, leaving the grease behind.

Step 8: Add The Onion And Garlic

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Add the diced onions and garlic to the grease and saute for 3-5 minutes or until softened.

Step 9: Add The Chicken Stock And Heavy Cream

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Add the chicken stock and heavy cream and simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 10: Add The Chicken And Jalapeños

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Add in the shredded chicken and diced jalapeños. Stir to combine.

Step 11: Add The Cheeses

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Add in the shredded cheese and cream cheese and stir to combine; cook for another 5 minutes or until it has thickened.

Step 12: Slice Jalapeños And Scallions

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Slice the remaining jalapeño and the scallions.

Step 13: Garnish And Serve

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Serve the chili topped with crispy bacon, jalapeños, scallions, and chopped cilantro.

What Else Can I Add To Jalapeño Popper Chili?

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There are lots of great additions you can add to jalapeno popper chili. We like to add white beans (like cannelini) when we're looking to add a little more protein and fiber to the chili. It helps beef up the chili (without needing any beef), so it's especially ideal for those who want to avoid meat. You can use canned beans and add them in when you add in the shredded chicken.

You can easily replace the chicken breasts with chicken thighs or do a combination of the two. Just make sure to trim off any excess fat from the chicken thighs before roasting in the oven. Frozen corn is also a delicious addition to the chili. Just pop in the frozen corn when you add in the shredded chicken.

Finally, for toppings, there's also room for exploration. A dollop of sour cream will play off of the creaminess of the soup, whereas a drizzle of hot sauce will add a final touch of heat, if desired.

How Should I Store Leftover Chili?

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Jalapeño popper chili is the perfect make ahead meal. Once it has cooled, it can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator or freezer. It is the ideal housewarming or new baby welcome dish. It's warm and comforting and the ideal food to bring to loved ones in need. You can also serve it in a slow cooker for tailgating or on game day at home.

The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to six months. Make sure to leave the fresh jalapeños, cilantro, lime wedges, and bacon on the side and not in with the soup. Top the soup with the garnishes once it is hot and ready to serve again. You can freeze the soup in smaller, single serving containers so you have a quick and easy lunch or dinner for one.

Creamy Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Chili Recipe

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Prep Time: 1h 30mCook Time: 1hYield: 4 ServingsIngredients

  • 1 pound chicken breasts

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • 1 packet Sazon seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon

  • 6 fresh jalapeños

  • ½ pound bacon, chopped

  • 1 medium onion

  • 4 garlic cloves

  • 2 cups chicken stock

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar jack

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese

  • 2 scallions

  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Directions

  1. Combine the chicken with the olive oil, lime juice, Sazon seasoning, and chicken bouillon in a large bowl. Cover and marinate for 1 hour.

  2. Preheat the oven to 375 F.

  3. Pour the marinated chicken onto a parchment lined baking sheet along with 5 jalapeños. Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.

  4. Allow the chicken to cool, then shred.

  5. Peel the skins off the jalapeños and dice. (Remove the seeds if you are looking for a less spicy chili).

  6. Crisp the bacon in a large pot.

  7. Remove the bacon, leaving the grease behind.

  8. Add the diced onions and garlic to the grease and saute for 3-5 minutes or until softened.

  9. Add the chicken stock and heavy cream and simmer for 10 minutes.

  10. Add in the shredded chicken and diced jalapeños. Stir to combine.

  11. Add in the shredded cheese and cream cheese and stir to combine; cook for another 5 minutes or until it has thickened.

  12. Slice the remaining jalapeño and the scallions.

  13. Serve the chili topped with crispy bacon, jalapeños, scallions, and chopped cilantro.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

Creamy Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Chili Recipe (2025)

FAQs

How long do you soak jalapenos in milk? ›

If you are NOT A HEAT-FREAK, you can tone down the jalapenos by soaking them in milk for about 15 minutes before stuffing, but this makes them real, real mild. If you don't mind a little warmth, just follow the rest of the recipe without soaking.

What is jalapeño popper dip made of? ›

Stir cream cheese, mayonnaise, Cheddar, mozzarella, green onion, jalapeño peppers, and bacon together in a bowl; spread into a 9-inch round baking dish. Make the topping: Mix crackers, Parmesan, and melted butter together in a bowl. Spread over cream cheese mixture.

What do stuffed jalapenos taste like? ›

Jalapeño poppers are spicy, but by design, the filling tempers the heat of the pepper. Poppers are crunchy and ooze-y at once, like a fried mozzarella stick with the added heat and textual contrast of the hot pepper. If breaded or battered and fried, the snack takes on the gustatory satisfaction of an onion ring.

What does soaking jalapeños in water do? ›

Capsaicin, which is mostly on the inside of the pepper, is hard to wash off your hands and can burn and irritate your eyes, mouth, and nose if you touch them after touching a jalapeño. If you soak cut-up jalapeños in salt water for at least half an hour before you eat or cook them, it lowers some of the spiciness.

Why do you soak jalapeños in water? ›

Soaking jalapeños in water can help reduce their spiciness or heat level. Jalapeños contain a compound called capsaicin, which is responsible for their spicy taste. Capsaicin is soluble in water, so soaking the peppers in water can help leach out some of the capsaicin, making them milder.

What is an original jalapeño popper? ›

Anybody who is fond of Mexican cuisine may be familiar with a dish known as chiles rellenos, which many people see as the original inspiration for jalapeño poppers. Chiles rellenos are also a type of stuffed pepper, usually made with poblano peppers filled with a mixture of cheeses and then fried.

What are the ingredients in Fritos jalapeño cheddar dip? ›

Skim Milk, Water, Canola Oil, Modified Corn Starch, Tomato Paste, Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Natural Flavors, and less than 2% of the following: Maltodextrin (Made from Corn), Jalapeño Peppers, Salt, Vinegar, Disodium Phosphate, Yeast Extract, Sodium Citrate, Annatto, Monosodium Glutamate, ...

What is a jalapeño popper in English? ›

Jalapeño poppers, or jalapeño bites, are jalapeño peppers that have been hollowed out, stuffed with a mixture of cheese, spices, and sometimes ground meat, and breaded and deep-fried.

What are stuffed jalapenos called? ›

Stuffed Jalapeños - Atomic Buffalo Turds aka ABT's

Jalapeños stuffed with a mixture of cream cheese and extra sharp cheddar then wrapped in bacon. Folks who make these call them Atomic Buffalo Turds or ABT's.

Why are stuffed peppers bland? ›

The problem stems from the common practice of boiling the peppers to start. The goal is to tenderize them before they're stuffed and baked, but generally the poor fellas are over-boiled, which results in their tendency to fall apart and, as noted, be flavorless.

Are jalapeños good for you? ›

Jalapeños are a versatile and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They contain capsaicin, a compound that likely accounts for many of their health benefits, including weight loss, pain relief, improved heart health and lower ulcer risk.

Does milk help jalapeño burns on skin? ›

Using dairy products like milk or yogurt to relieve a jalapeno burn is an old method that actually works! The protein in milk, called casein, interacts with the capsaicin molecules in chili oil to break them down and wash them away. Try dipping your hands in a bowl of dairy milk to soothe the pain.

Does milk neutralize jalapeño? ›

DO reach for some dairy. Many milk-based products contain a protein called casein, which can help break down those capsaicin tricksters. Think of casein as a detergent — attracting, surrounding and helping wash away the oil-based capsaicin molecules floating around your mouth, similar to how soap washes away grease.

How long do you soak jalapeños in water? ›

Soak peppers in a bowl of water for 30-60 minutes. This helps reduce some of the oil from the peppers which is what gives them their heat. Tip: Use latex gloves when handling raw jalapenos, especially the seeds.

How do you soak jalapeños? ›

Soak Chiles in a Vinegar and Water Solution

This method is useful when making stuffed jalapeño peppers, which starts with chiles that have been boiled for a few minutes. Submerge seeded, cooked whole jalapeños in a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and let them soak for about an hour.

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