This Jalapeno Popper Bacon Hasselback Stuffed Chicken is a quick and easy, healthy recipe with baked chicken breasts smothered in bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar. You can even load up on the filling and create an amazing casserole or dip!
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I first made this recipe years ago. I’ve since updated the recipe and I have totally fallen back in love with it! This dish is perfect for meal prep! Be sure to pair it with my favorite side dishes noted below.
What Type of Chicken to Use
Skinless chicken breasts will work best because they are easy to stuff and are usually the perfect size. I don't recommend chicken thighs because they are fattier and juicier. This actually doesn't work well for stuffing. The thighs will fall apart.
What is Hasselback?
The name Hasselback comes from a restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden, named Hasselbacken. This is where the recipe for Hasselback potatoes was introduced. It sounds like a complicated process, but it's actually easy. You simply cut slices through the top of the food (chicken, potatoes, etc) without slicing through the bottom.
How to Make Jalapeno Chicken Poppers
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Combine cream cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped jalapenos, shredded cheese, fresh lime, and green onions in a bowl. Stir.
- Slice into the chicken. For hasselback stuffed chicken you will make several horizontal slits into the chicken breast. Cut about ⅔ of the way through the breast and careful not to slice completely through the breast. You can also make a side pocket cut on the side and stuff the chicken that way. That method is illustrated in my Keto Spinach Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken recipe.
- Stuff the cream cheese mixture into each of the slits.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
- Remove the chicken and add shredded cheddar to the top of the breast. Bake until the cheese has melted.
Bacon Substitutes
- Turkey Bacon
- Shrimp
- Sausage
- Prosciutto
Additional Veggies and Cheese to Stuff
- Artichokes
- Sundried Tomatoes
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Bell Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Apples
- Gouda Cheese
- Provolone Cheese
- Mozzarella Cheese
How Many Carbs
This recipe has 3 net carbs per serving.
How Many Calories
There are 291 calories per serving in this hasselback chicken. The recipe calls for 2 chicken breasts, about 1 ½ pounds total. One serving is ½ of 1 chicken breast.
What Temperature to Bake
I like to bake the chicken on 400 degrees. Use a meat thermometer because the cook time will vary based on the size and weight of the chicken breasts. You should cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
What to Serve with the Chicken
Purple Sweet Potato
Roasted Ranch Potatoes
Air Fryer Asparagus
Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes
Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
Creamy Ranch Mashed Potatoes
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Keto Broccoli Salad
Keto Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad
Balsamic Green Bean Salad
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
More Main Dish Recipes
Maple Glazed Salmon
Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon
Pan Seared Salmon
Jerk Chicken Thighs
Traeger Smoked Bacon
How to Store the Dish
I like to store the chicken in glass Tupperware in the fridge for up to 4 days. I love to meal prep and cook my meals in advance. Chicken can dry out, as you may already know. To keep the chicken juicy and moist, I squeeze fresh lime onto the chicken each day when I reheat it.
Freezer Tips
You can freeze the chicken tightly sealed and covered for up to 2 months.
Jalapeno Popper Chicken Breast
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds skinless chicken breasts
- 3 slices cooked and crumbled bacon I used 2 slices of bacon in the filling for the chicken and I used 1 slice to garnish the chicken when it finished cooking.
- 2 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese ¼ cup used to stuff the chicken, and ¼ cup used to sprinkle over the top of the chicken
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh green onions Finely chopped
- ½ - 1 whole jalapeno Finely chopped, The more jalapeno you use, the spicier the dish. ½ jalapeno is very mild.
- Chicken Rub or Seasoning to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place the cream cheese in a bowl and in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to soften. Combine cream cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped jalapenos, mozzarella, ¼ cup of shredded cheddar, fresh lime, and green onions in a bowl. Stir.
- Season one side of each chicken breast and then flip the breasts over.
- Slice into the chicken. For hasselback stuffed chicken you will make several horizontal slits into the chicken breast. Cut about ⅔ of the way through the breast and be careful not to slice completely through the breast. Make even slits, this will allow the chicken to cook at an even, consistent temperature.
- Stuff the cream cheese mixture into each of the slits. Season the top of the chicken breasts with the chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until it reaches a temperature of about 140 degrees. Use a meat thermometer. The chicken is not done yet. At this time, you will add the remaining ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Sprinkle it on top of both chicken breasts.
- Return the chicken to the oven. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove the chicken from the oven. Feel free to garnish with crumbled bacon and jalapenos.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
maria @ close to home says
What a unique recipe and love that it is healhty too. I will have to try it soon.
lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I love stuffed chicken breasts, so this is definitely going on my "to make" list! Great flavor combo, too!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy says
I love the jalapeno and lime combo so much! And even more than you added cream cheese to the pile! Yumm!
Luci's Morsels says
Yum! This looks so flavorful and delicious! I am going to have to try this one.
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
I really love spicy food as well! This looks and sounds like a great combination of flavors!
Joan Cajic says
Oooh this looks so good and I love the jalapenos, rather anything with a bit of kick or spice and these are right up my alley. Thank you for sharing.
Caitlyn M says
Oh my goodness this looks absolutely delicious. I haven't seen chicken poppers like this before and it makes me want to try the right now. So yummy!
MONNKA says
They look so delicious. Thanks for this recipe! I'm looking for and collecting interesting low-calorie suggestions.
emman damian says
I love the LOW-CARB JALAPENO BACON CREAM CHEESE CHICKEN POPPERS! Seems like a good recipe for Christmas! Yummy!
Bobbi says
These look like they would be the perfect appetizer! I would love to give these a try.
Khushboo says
it's yumm And it looks delicious.. I love spicy food..
Zulema Tomlinson says
6 carbs!!! I love it. It looks so yummy. I am definitely pinning this recipe.
Suzanne Spiegoski says
Oh these chicken poppers sound so good! I will definitely have to try.
Liz Stephenson says
this came just in time!!!! I am going lo carb soon
staysnatched says
Awesome! Good luck on that journey! So many good meals to choose from.
Ingrid Rizzolo says
The recipe seems quite doable. I am sure the Low -Carb Jalapeno Bacon and Cream Cheese Chicken Popper is very tasty. However, when one thinks of the ingredients one one thinks of calorie over load. However it is saved by the fact that it is low carb and you referenced scientific data that suggested the spiciness would rev up the metabolism.
Courtney McCray says
I just came across this recipe yesterday. My bf and I are trying to go low carb and more protein because he’s 6’5” 270#s. I made it today and it turned out great!!! Very flavorful!! Will definitely add this to the recipe list!! Thanks a bunch
staysnatched says
This is amazing! So glad you liked it.
Anne D says
Made this last night and it was excellent! I had one jalapeno that was on the cusp of going bad, and had chicken thawed so I searched jalapeno chicken on the site and found this recipe. It was so easy and very tasty. I am not a huge spicy hot fan, so I just made sure to not include the seeds from the jalapeno in the cream cheese mixture. This will be added to the regular rotation!
staysnatched says
I love that you were able to use what you had on hand!
Kelly D says
I love jalapeño poppers and this recipe brings all the flavor and indulgence of jalapeño poppers without all the calories! Recipe is super simple to follow and the chicken turns out moist and flavorful. It has a good kick without being overwhelmingly spicy. So easy to store leftovers of this and it reheats really well. Thanks for such a delicious alternative to the fried foods I love!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Cassie B says
DANG!! This is so tasty! Super juicy and flavorful. I would never have thought to add lime to the cream cheese stuffing but it's the magic ingredient! Another meal of Brandi's that will be going in my regular menu rotation!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Malika J. says
You are so GIFTED! Every one of the recipes I’ve made have been delicious, this one included. I’m a subscriber and got this email this morning and luckily had every item needed in my kitchen! It’s bomb. This recipe leads to JUICY chicken breast with perfect amount of spice, creaminess, and the lime sets it off. Thank you for all of your content!
staysnatched says
Yay! Thank you so much.
Mallory says
I’ve never had a bad recipe of Brandi’s, but this one is definitely in my top 5 now! Such amazing flavor and even better that it’s low carb!
staysnatched says
That warms my heart! Glad to hear it.
Erika says
This was delicious and super easy to prepare. I had all the ingredients on hand so I was pleasantly surprised when I found this recipe. All the flavors came together created a delicious dinner. For anyone concerned about spice level, I used a whole jalapeño (seeds and veins removed) and the spice was minimal. I can’t wait to try your other stuffed chicken recipes!
staysnatched says
I hope you enjoy them!
Tori says
This stuffed chicken is sooo good!! If you don't like spicy food, don't let the Jalapeno scare you. If you just use 1/2 Jalapeno like Brandi says, it is very mild! Love this dish!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it.
Jordan Klein says
Hello! I have made this several times with chicken breasts, but tonight I only have chicken tenders. I've mixed it all up and have it in a casserole dish but there is a LOT of cheese-y mix, so it seems itll be more of a casserole. How do you suggest I change the bake temp/time for tenders? 30 mins ish?
staysnatched says
I don't typically bake tenders. A general rule of thumb is chicken should be baked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees for safety.
Chelsea Bordash says
Amazing! Extremely flavorful, easy to put together. Definitely going into rotation!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Katye Brzozowski says
I have made this twice since it’s been posted and it is one of my family’s new favorites. So delicious!
staysnatched says
Awesome! I'm glad you enjoy it.
Brittany says
Absolutely delicious!!! Adding this to my regular rotation of dinner recipes.
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear it will be in the rotation.