Keto Jalapeño Popper Chicken (Print)

Creamy, cheesy chicken baked with smoky bacon, jalapeños, and cauliflower rice for a low-carb comfort meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Protein & Dairy

01 - 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
05 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Vegetables

07 - 4 cups cauliflower rice, fresh or frozen
08 - 4 to 5 jalapeños, seeded and diced, plus extra slices for garnish
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1/4 cup green onions, sliced

→ Pantry & Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking oil or butter.
02 - Heat a drizzle of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cauliflower rice and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened. Remove from heat.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, mozzarella, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
04 - Fold cooked chicken, sautéed cauliflower rice, diced jalapeños, minced garlic, half the crumbled bacon, and half the green onions into the cream cheese mixture. Stir until well combined.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and bacon.
06 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
07 - Garnish with extra jalapeño slices and remaining green onions before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • One-dish dinner that feels indulgent but won't kick you out of ketosis.
  • Creamy, smoky, and spicy all at once—jalapeño popper flavors without the frying.
  • Comes together in under an hour and tastes even better as leftovers the next day.
02 -
  • Sautéing the cauliflower rice first is non-negotiable; skipping this step leaves you with a watery, disappointing casserole.
  • Softening cream cheese to room temperature prevents lumps that'll frustrate you halfway through serving.
  • The casserole continues cooking slightly after it comes out, so pull it when the edges are bubbly but the center still jigggles just a touch.
03 -
  • If your casserole looks dry on top before it's done baking, loosely tent it with foil to prevent over-browning while the center catches up.
  • Crisp your bacon the morning of so it stays crumbly; bacon cooked the night before can get soft and chewy by dinnertime.
  • Use shredded cheese from a block, not pre-shredded, for creamier melting and a better-looking final dish.
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