These bacon-wrapped jalapeno popper stuffed chicken breasts are packed with all the flavors you expect from a jalapeno popper, baked to perfection.
» You might also like Cheese Smothered Pork Chops and these Quick & Easy Keto Chicken Recipes.
One of the best things about a keto diet is that you’re still allowed to eat things like bacon and cream cheese. That means the things we adore about jalapeno poppers are fair game.
Instead of making deep fried appetizers, though, we turn this snack into a delicious dinner idea. We did something similar with this buffalo stuffed chicken.
Don’t shy away if you don’t like spicy things like jalapenos. There is an easy way to make sure the peppers are no longer spicy. They have all the flavor, without the burn.
Ingredients in Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken
Jalapeno poppers are made with jalapenos, cream cheese, and bacon. We use the same ingredients for this recipe only in a different order and with chicken as the star.
- Chicken breasts – We used chicken breasts that were about 4 ounces each. Large enough to make a pocket to hold the cream cheese mixture.
- Bacon – We recommend not using a thick cut bacon. You want the bacon to get nice and crispy.
- Jalapeno peppers – For a more mild pepper taste, de-seed and remove as much of the white veins as you can. If you leave them in tact, the peppers will still a bit spicy.
- Cream cheese – Softened
- Cheddar cheese
- Garlic salt and ground black pepper
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken
Start by slicing open the chicken lengthwise down the middle, without piercing all the way through. Like you’re making a large pocket.
It’s easiest to do this when the chicken is slightly frozen. If you’re using fresh (not frozen) chicken, you can put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes to get it a bit more solid.
For the jalapeno peppers, you want to deseed them and remove as much of the white veins as you want. If you leave them in tact, the peppers will still a bit spicy. Removing the white part of the ribs entirely will take away almost all of the heat of the pepper. Then dice the peppers.
Mix together the jalapeno, cream cheese and shredded cheddar, garlic salt and pepper. Stuff each chicken breast with equal amounts of filling.
If you can’t easily contain the stuffing in the chicken pockets, you can secure the edge with toothpicks. As long as the stuffing is all contained inside the chicken, there’s no need for toothpicks.
Starting at one end, wrap a piece of bacon in a spiral tightly around the chicken. Continue with the second piece, until you’ve cover the whole chicken.
You first need to cook it in a skillet to start the browning of the bacon. If you go directly to the oven, the bacon won’t have enough time to cook before the chicken is done. It just needs about 3-5 minutes per side.
Then transfer the chicken to the oven for 20-25 minutes until the chicken registers 165° F on a meat thermometer. Be sure not to measure the temperature of the filling, by accident.
What to Serve With Jalapeno Popper Chicken
A salad makes a good side dish for this jalapeno popper chicken. I think chicken pairs really well with strawberries, so one of my favorite salads to serve is this Spinach and Strawberry Salad. This cauliflower rice is easy to make and delicious.
Any of these wonderful sides that we often serve with stuffed peppers would make a great side dish, as well.
Tips and Notes
- To protect against the spicy oils in the jalapenos, wear kitchen gloves while cutting the jalapenos. You will never forget how it feels when you rub your eye after cutting a jalapeno!
- Make this stuffed chicken in advance, wrap it up tight, and freeze. Make sure to thaw fully before cooking.
- Chicken should come up to 165° F to be safe to eat. Make sure the thermometer is in the chicken and not just the filling.
- If you want the jalapenos to have less heat, remove all the seeds and white ribs from the inside of the pepper.
- If you can’t easily contain the stuffing in the chicken pockets, you can secure the edge with toothpicks. Remove before serving.
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Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 medium-sized chicken breasts about 4 ounces each
- 8 strips bacon
- 3 jalapeno peppers seeds and veins removed
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- Slice the chicken lengthwise down the middle without piercing all the way through, to form a pocket.
- Remove the seeds and veins (if less heat is desired) from the jalapenos and dice them.
- Mix together the diced jalapeno, cream cheese, cheddar, garlic salt and pepper.
- Stuff the mixture evenly into each chicken breast.
- Wrap each chicken breast with 2 strips of bacon, in a tight spiral pattern, making sure not to overlap the bacon.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chicken breast for about 5 minutes on each side, to brown the bacon.
- Gently place the chicken in a 9” x 13” baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165° F.
Notes
- If you want the jalapenos to have less heat, remove all the seeds and white ribs from the inside of the pepper.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Laura is dedicated to a low-carb lifestyle after losing 52 pounds on the keto diet. As many of us do, she struggles with her weight and has found that one of the only diet lifestyles that allows her to maintain a healthy weight is a low-carb diet. She shares her favorite low-carb recipes here that are both easy to make and full of flavor, so you don’t even miss the carbs.
The chicken breasts to fight for lol They look so delicious that I can’t wait to get to the kitchen – now!
OMG, these are seriously amazing! Who doesn’t love jalapeno poppers and then to turn them into a main dish with chicken and bacon!!!
I’m putting this on my meal plan list for next week. Looks fantastic and so easy to make. Can’t wait to try it.
This looks really comforting. I like both chicken and bacon so this is right up my alley
This dish looks like a festive dish option. Bacon wrapped chicken and the yummy cheesy flavors. I am drooling
Simple and quick recipe, served over cauliflower rice. Absolutely delicious and very filling! Thank you!