Keto Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken

I’m a big fan of those yummy keto jalapeno poppers stuffed with a cheesy filling and wrapped in bacon, but not always such a big fan of making them. It’s a hassle to slice and fill all those little peppers. Bacon wraps come undone or don’t get crispy. And at least for me, it takes quite a few to be satisfied. This keto jalapeno popper chicken recipe combines all of those flavors into a dish that is easier to make and more filling to eat.

The main stuffing ingredients should be familiar to jalapeno popper fans. There’s cream cheese, shredded cheese, bacon, and jalapenos (of course). The main difference is that we’re stuffing chicken breasts instead of the peppers themselves. Don’t worry though! There’s no complicated butterflying, pounding, or pinning here. Just a few quick slices are all you need for this keto jalapeno popper stuffed chicken.

Slice each chicken breast horizontally, but not deep enough to go all the way through. This creates nice little pockets for our jalapeno popper stuffing. The bacon and cheesy filling help to keep the chicken moist as it cooks, while sliced jalapenos on top bring the heat. It also ensures you get a bit of everything in each bite, unlike some other keto stuffed chicken recipes.

I prefer cooking this keto jalapeno popper stuffed chicken in the air fryer when I can. It’s a bit quicker and it guarantees crispy bacon every time. The oven works well too though, especially if you’re scaling the recipe to make a bigger batch. If the bacon isn’t quite as crisp as you’d like after baking, finish under the broiler for a few minutes. Serve with a side of veggies or salad.

Looking for more cheesy low carb chicken breast recipes? Try this Keto Pimento Cheese Baked Chicken!

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5 from 4 votes

Keto Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken

This keto jalapeno popper chicken recipe turns the flavors of the classic appetizer into a full main dish.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, cheese, chicken, jalapeno
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 460kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Spice Rub

Filling

  • 3 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 ounce shredded cheddar
  • 1 ounce shredded mozzarella
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp ranch dressing optional
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder

Instructions

  • If baking: Preheat oven to 425F. Prepare a baking dish by lining or lightly greasing.

Season the Chicken

  • Combine all spice rub ingredients. Evenly season both sides of each chicken breast.

Prep the Filling

  • Slice the jalapenos into rings. Take about 1/4 of the sliced jalapeno and dice further into small pieces. Set aside the rest for later.
  • Add the diced jalapeno from the previous step to the filling ingredients and combine.
  • Cut the bacon slices into four pieces each.

Fill the Chicken

  • Make four equally spaced horizontal slices into each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through.
  • Tuck a piece of bacon into each "pocket" you created in the chicken.
  • Add filling into each pocket alongside the bacon. Finally, top the filling with the sliced jalapeno.

Air Fryer Method

  • Cook keto jalapeno popper stuffed chicken in air fryer at 400F for 20-22 minutes, until chicken is cooked through, bacon is crisp, and filling is melted and lightly browned.

Oven Method

  • Place keto jalapeno popper stuffed chicken in prepared baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and filling is melted and lightly browned.
  • Optionally, broil for 2-3 minutes to fully crisp the bacon.

Serve and Enjoy!

    Notes

    • The air fryer method for this keto jalapeno popper stuffed chicken cooks quicker and results in more consistently crispy bacon.
    • Alternatively, you can cook the bacon separately and crumble over the finished chicken.
    • Use more or less jalapeno depending on your spice preferences.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Fiber: 0.5g

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