I whipped up this Keto Jalapeno Popper Chicken recipe recently and was immediately charmed by its bold blend of flavors. The tender chicken breasts are perfectly complemented by a creamy mix of cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella and crunchy bacon, heightened by fresh jalapeños and a hint of garlic powder for extra flair.
I recently stumbled upon an amazing twist for a classic dish that’s become one of my all time favorites. This Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Chicken is a standout recipe that brings an explosion of flavor with every bite.
Using 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt and black pepper, this dish takes a bold step into keto territory. I mix in softened cream cheese with shredded cheddar and mozzarella to create an irresistibly rich sauce that comforts your tastebuds without weighing you down.
The secret weapon? Finely chopped fresh jalapeños and a sprinkle of crumbled bacon that give it a little kick.
I always mention that this isn’t your average dinner recipe its a low carb adventure that feels like a luxurious upgrade to regular chicken dishes. If you love keto chicken recipes and crave a mix of spicy and creamy, you really ought to give this a try.
Enjoy the experience!
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe becuz it mixes cream cheese, cheddar and mozzarella for a seriously gooey filling that melts in your mouth and makes every bite super satisfying. I also like how easy it is to put together — even when Im in a rush at the end of a long day, it never feels too complicated to prep or cook. Another thing thats awesome is that its low carb and keto friendly, which means I can indulge without feeling guilty about my diet. Lastly, the crispy sear on the chicken combined with the spicy kick from the jalapeños and bacon really makes this dish stand out and gives it that extra layer of flavor that I just cant resist.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: Lean, protein rich meat that fuels muscle growth and offers low-carb energy.
- Olive oil: Healthy fats that add moisture and a subtle rich flavor to every bite.
- Jalapeños: Fiery peppers that provide vitamin C, spice and a refreshing crisp texture.
- Cream cheese: Soft, creamy ingredient that blends richness with a mild tang for extra depth.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp, gooey addition infusing strong flavor and a delightful mouthfeel.
- Mozzarella cheese: Mild, stretchy cheese that creates a smooth and satisfying melty texture.
- Bacon: Smoky, crispy component that delivers a savory punch and an indulgent fat boost.
- Seasonings: Salt and black pepper enhance flavor and help balance the creaminess with subtle spice.
- Spices: Garlic and onion powders add depth and an aromatic accent to each bite.
Ingredient Quantities
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2-3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
2. Carefully make a pocket in each of the chicken breasts with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut all the way through.
3. Season both sides of each chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
4. In a bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, chopped jalapeños, and crumbled bacon until well combined.
5. Spoon the cream cheese mixture neatly into the pocket of each chicken breast making sure they are evenly filled.
6. If needed, secure the opening with a toothpick to keep the filling inside.
7. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; once hot, sear the chicken breasts for about 2 minutes on each side until they get a nice golden color.
8. Transfer the chicken to the preheated baking dish and place it in the oven.
9. Bake for around 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through.
10. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving, enjoy your outstandin Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Chicken!
Equipment Needed
1. Oven (preheated to 375°F)
2. Baking dish (lightly greased)
3. Sharp knife (for creating pockets in the chicken breasts)
4. Cutting board (for prepping chicken and jalapeños)
5. Mixing bowl (to combine the cream cheese, shredded cheeses, jalapeños, and bacon)
6. Spoon or spatula (for stirring and filling the chicken pockets)
7. Toothpicks (to secure the filling if needed)
8. Skillet (for searing the chicken breasts)
9. Tongs (or a similar utensil to transfer the chicken safely)
FAQ
Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Chicken Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you don’t have chicken breasts, you can substitute turkey cutlets or even pork chops. They cook faster so keep an eye on them.
- If olive oil is missing, try avocado oil or melted coconut oil. These work pretty good in most cases.
- Instead of cream cheese, mascarpone cheese or a thick Greek yogurt (strained well) can do the trick though the flavor might change a little.
- If you are low on cheddar, Monterey Jack or even smoked gouda can be a neat alternative for extra flavor.
- For bacon, turkey bacon or crispy prosciutto is a nice switch if you want to cut down on fat.
Pro Tips
1. When you mix the filling, make sure the cream cheese is really soft – if its too cold then it wont blend well with the other ingredients, and your chicken pockets could end up unevenly filled.
2. Searing the chicken first is key, cause it locks in the juices and gives a better flavor. Skipping that step might make your chicken a bit bland.
3. Don’t be afraid to secure the pockets with a toothpick even if it seems unnecessary – it’ll make sure your filling doesn’t leak out when you’re searing and baking.
4. After the chicken’s done, let it rest for a few minutes. This helps the cheese settle in, so you dont get a messy bite when you dig in.
Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Chicken Recipe
I whipped up this Keto Jalapeno Popper Chicken recipe recently and was immediately charmed by its bold blend of flavors. The tender chicken breasts are perfectly complemented by a creamy mix of cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella and crunchy bacon, heightened by fresh jalapeños and a hint of garlic powder for extra flair.
4
servings
761
kcal
Equipment: 1. Oven (preheated to 375°F)
2. Baking dish (lightly greased)
3. Sharp knife (for creating pockets in the chicken breasts)
4. Cutting board (for prepping chicken and jalapeños)
5. Mixing bowl (to combine the cream cheese, shredded cheeses, jalapeños, and bacon)
6. Spoon or spatula (for stirring and filling the chicken pockets)
7. Toothpicks (to secure the filling if needed)
8. Skillet (for searing the chicken breasts)
9. Tongs (or a similar utensil to transfer the chicken safely)
Ingredients
-
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
-
8 oz cream cheese, softened
-
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
-
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
-
2-3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
-
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
-
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Carefully make a pocket in each of the chicken breasts with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Season both sides of each chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In a bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, chopped jalapeños, and crumbled bacon until well combined.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture neatly into the pocket of each chicken breast making sure they are evenly filled.
- If needed, secure the opening with a toothpick to keep the filling inside.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; once hot, sear the chicken breasts for about 2 minutes on each side until they get a nice golden color.
- Transfer the chicken to the preheated baking dish and place it in the oven.
- Bake for around 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving, enjoy your outstandin Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Chicken!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 250g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 761kcal
- Fat: 47g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Polyunsaturated: 7g
- Monounsaturated: 12g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Potassium: 700mg
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 82g
- Vitamin A: 500IU
- Vitamin C: 10mg
- Calcium: 400mg
- Iron: 1.5mg