Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Experience all the amazing flavors of jalapeno poppers in this easy and incredibly delicious Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole. It’s a quick and mouthwatering dinner that features tender chicken with cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeño peppers, rich cheddar cheese, pretzels and just the right amount of crispy bacon. Casseroles often get a bad reputation, and there are indeed some unusual casserole recipes out there. However, in general, casseroles are a brilliant invention. They offer a complete meal served in the same dish it was baked in, making preparation a breeze and cleanup a joy. Cheers to the simplicity of casseroles!

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
5-6 jalapeño peppers, diced
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (about 3-4 chicken breasts)
½ teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
½ cup heavy cream, optional (add only if you prefer your casserole to have a more soupy consistency)
1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
½ cup crumbled crispy bacon
½ heaping cup crumbled pretzels
Sliced jalapeño pepper for topping
Fresh parsley or cilantro to garnish

Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the oven rack in the middle of the oven.
You can use an 8-inch cast-iron skillet (or an ovenproof pan) for the entire cooking process, or use a regular pan for sautéing initially and then transfer the mixture to an 8-inch casserole dish later.
Melt the butter on medium-high heat, add the garlic and jalapeño peppers to the pan. Stir well to coat them with the garlic-infused butter and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the cooked chicken and season with paprika, cumin, salt and pepper; mix until combined.
Reduce the heat to low and add the cream cheese, stirring until fully combined. Remove it from the heat, mix in the sour cream and heavy cream (if using), and generously sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top (or transfer the mixture to a casserole dish first and then sprinkle the cheese).
Bake for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven 5 minutes before it finishes cooking, and scatter bacon, crumbled pretzels and sliced jalapeño peppers over the top. Then, place it back in the oven to finish cooking for the remaining time.
Add a finishing touch to by garnishing it with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley. Enjoy your meal!

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