Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Casserole
This Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Casserole is a delicious one-dish meal that's perfect for gatherings or family dinners. Tender chicken pieces, zesty jalapeños, and a creamy sauce come together with hints of cumin and fresh flavors. Topped with crunchy Frito corn chips and gooey Monterey Jack cheese, this baked dish will impress your guests and leave them craving more. It's a perfect blend of heat and comfort that’s easy to prepare and sure to become a favorite.
8
Servings
275
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken breast halves
4 (cut into bite-sized pieces)
jalapeno peppers
6 (diced)
onion
1 medium (chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (chopped)
oil
2 teaspoons (for cooking)
cumin
1/4 teaspoon
cream of chicken soup
1 can
frozen spinach
1/2 package
sour cream
1 pint
Frito corn chips
1 bag (crushed)
shredded Monterey Jack cheese
12 ounces
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Cut the chicken breast halves into bite-sized pieces.
3
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides.
4
Once the chicken is browned, add the chopped onion, garlic, and diced jalapeño peppers. Sauté until the onions become translucent.
5
Stir in the cumin, cream of chicken soup, and frozen spinach. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6
Next, gently fold in the sour cream and heat through, but do not let it boil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7
In a greased baking dish, spoon half of the chicken mixture into the bottom.
8
Crush half of the Frito corn chips and sprinkle them over the chicken layer, followed by half of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
9
Layer the remaining chicken mixture on top, then finish with the rest of the crushed Frito chips and the remaining cheese.
10
For an extra kick, sprinkle cayenne pepper or additional chopped jalapeños on top.
11
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until the dish is hot and bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
16g
Fat
19g
Carbs
17.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Casserole?
This Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Casserole is a delicious one-dish meal featuring tender chicken, zesty jalapeños, and a creamy sauce topped with crunchy Frito corn chips and Monterey Jack cheese.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 8 servings.
What oven temperature is required for the casserole?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How much chicken is needed for this recipe?
You will need 4 chicken breast halves cut into bite-sized pieces.
How many jalapeño peppers are used?
The recipe calls for 6 diced jalapeño peppers.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The casserole is topped with 12 ounces of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 275 calories per serving.
What is the total fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 16g of fat.
How much protein does this dish provide?
This dish provides 17.5g of protein per serving.
What kind of soup is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses one can of cream of chicken soup.
How long does the casserole need to bake?
Bake the casserole for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until hot and bubbly.
Should the chicken be cooked before putting it in the oven?
Yes, you should brown the bite-sized chicken pieces in a skillet with oil before assembling the casserole.
Does the recipe include spinach?
Yes, it includes 1/2 package of frozen spinach.
How much sour cream is required?
The recipe requires 1 pint of sour cream.
What type of chips are used for the crunchy topping?
A bag of crushed Frito corn chips is used for the crunchy layers and topping.
How many garlic cloves should I use?
The recipe calls for 3 chopped garlic cloves.
What size onion is recommended for this dish?
Use one medium onion, chopped.
How can I make the casserole even spicier?
You can sprinkle cayenne pepper or add extra chopped jalapeños on top before baking.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 19g of carbohydrates per serving.
What spices are used to season the chicken mixture?
The mixture is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of cumin, along with salt and pepper to taste.
When should I add the sour cream to the mixture?
Gently fold in the sour cream after the chicken and soup mixture has simmered for about 5 minutes.
Is it necessary to grease the baking dish?
Yes, you should use a greased baking dish for this recipe.
How do you layer the casserole?
Layer half the chicken mixture, followed by half the crushed chips and cheese, then repeat the layers.
Can I let the sour cream boil?
No, you should heat the sour cream through but do not let it boil.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How long should the chicken and vegetable mixture simmer?
Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes after adding the soup and spinach.
Should the Frito chips be whole or crushed?
The Frito chips should be crushed before being added to the layers.
What is the preparation for the jalapeños?
The 6 jalapeño peppers should be diced.
What should I do after the casserole finishes baking?
Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.
What gives the casserole its Mexican-inspired flavor profile?
The combination of jalapeños, cumin, Monterey Jack cheese, and Frito corn chips gives it a Mexican-inspired taste.