Description
This Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Chicken recipe features juicy chicken breasts filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, and diced jalapeños for a flavorful, spicy twist. The chicken is seared in an oven-proof skillet to achieve a golden crust before being baked to perfection, making it a delicious and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 x 220g/7oz chicken breast, skinless and boneless
- 1/4 tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or ordinary paprika)
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Stuffing
- 60g/2 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or other cheese)
- 1/4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 jalapeños, deseeded and finely diced
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan) ensuring it reaches the correct temperature for baking the chicken evenly.
- Prepare Chicken Pockets: Carefully cut pockets into each chicken breast on the folded side, making sure not to cut all the way through, preserving the smooth exterior for sealing the filling inside.
- Make Stuffing: Microwave the cream cheese for 30 seconds to soften it. In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with shredded mozzarella, parmesan, diced jalapeños, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to create the jalapeño popper stuffing.
- Stuff and Seal Chicken: Fill the chicken pockets fully with the prepared stuffing. Secure each breast with 2 or 3 toothpicks to seal in the filling. Allow some of the stuffing to overflow for extra crispy edges when cooked. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with smoked paprika and salt for added flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts smooth-side down and sear for 2 minutes until golden. Flip and sear the other side for an additional 2 minutes to lock in juices.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet with the seared chicken to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 67°C/155°F, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a plate. Let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices before serving, ensuring maximum flavor and moisture retention.
Notes
- Deseeding the jalapeños reduces the heat; leave seeds in if you prefer spicier filling.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check chicken doneness for safety and perfect cooking.
- The overflowing stuffing crisps up beautifully and adds a delightful texture contrast.
- You can substitute the cheeses based on your preference or availability, such as using pepper jack for extra heat.
- If you don’t have an oven-proof skillet, transfer the chicken to a baking dish after searing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 19 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: jalapeño popper chicken, stuffed chicken breast, creamy jalapeño chicken, baked stuffed chicken, cheesy chicken recipe
