Jalapeno Popper Hasselback Chicken Recipe

All the spicy and cheesy deliciousness of a classic jalapeno popper stuffed inside a juicy chicken breast hasselback style. It’s truly the perfect easy weeknight dinner idea the entire family will fall in love with!

Why This Recipe Works:

1. Flavorful Fusion: This recipe combines the spicy kick of jalapeno poppers with the savory goodness of Hasselback-style chicken breasts. The cream cheese, cheddar, and jalapeno stuffing infuse the chicken with a delicious blend of creamy, spicy, and cheesy flavors, creating a mouthwatering taste sensation.
2. Eye-Catching Presentation: The Hasselback technique, where the chicken is partially sliced and stuffed with ingredients, not only enhances the flavor but also creates an aesthetically pleasing dish. The neatly arranged jalapeno slices and cheese make for an impressive and visually appealing meal that’s perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress your guests.
3. Versatile and Customizable: This recipe is versatile and allows for customization. You can adjust the level of spiciness by modifying the number of jalapenos used or even substitute them with milder peppers for a less intense flavor. Additionally, you can experiment with different cheese varieties or add bacon bits for extra indulgence, tailoring the dish to your preferences.

What is hasselback chicken?

Hasselback chicken is modeled after a popular Swedish recipe called hasselback potatoes. This recipe first hit the scene in Stockholm back in the 1940s and has been an enjoyable way to eat potatoes ever since!

While the hasselback method started with potatoes, It works really well with chicken. The method includes slicing parallel slices into the skinless chicken breasts so you can stuff them.

This works best with a larger, thicker chicken breast. Your goal is to make slices into the chicken to create a pocket for the filling without cutting all the way through.

You can be creative and fill them with a variety of cheeses or veggies. For this recipe I’ve modeled it after my bacon wrapped hatch chili poppers by stuffing the chicken with a sharp cheddar cheese mixture, slices of jalapeno peppers, and crispy slices of bacon. If you love stuffed chicken recipes in particular, you should also try this dish for chicken balmoral for more delicious ideas.

Supplies Needed:

• Knife and Cutting Board
• Medium Bowl
• Sheet Pan or Baking Dish
• Butter Knife
• Gloves (for the jalapenos)
• Spatula
• Meat Thermometer

Pro Tip – Because this really works best with thicker cuts of chicken breast, avoid using other cuts like chicken thighs for the best outcome.

Jalapeno Popper Filling Ingredients:

• Shredded Cheese: You can use any shredded cheese you prefer. Cheddar cheese or a Mexican blend works best.
• Cream Cheese: Use any standard cream cheese or substitue for light cream cheese. Sour cream doesn’t hold up well as a substitute for this filling and becomes too runny in the oven.
• Green Onions: Slice the onions thin and add them to your mixture for some flavor.
• Fresh Garlic: I love the enhance the flavor of the filling with some fresh minced garlic. You can also sub with some garlic powder as well.

In a large bowl mix the cream cheese, the shredded cheese, green onion, and garlic and stir until combined. I like to cook the chicken with slices of jalapeño peppers, but if you prefer to dice them up (and remove the seeds for less heat) then you should add those in as well.

How to make hasselback jalapeno popper chicken:

1. Start by preheating your oven to 375 F. Spray a baking sheet or baking dish (I used a baking dish for this). with non-stick spray.
2. Pat your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Cut 5-6 slices about an inch apart into each chicken breast without cutting full through the meat. You should create long slices the length of each chicken breast.
3. Coat the side of each chicken breast in olive oil and season the chicken pieces all over. I love to use my homemade Tajin seasoning for some spice or a good smoky BBQ rub works well too. Be sure to also get into the crevices you cut into the chicken to impart more flavor.
4. Take dollops of the cheesy popper mixture and place it into each sliced pocket of your chicken breast.
5. Use gloves to cut small pieces of raw jalapeno. I like the seeds included for some heat, but you can chop and mix this into the cheese mixture
6. Add a slice of bacon and a few slices of jalapenos to each pocket as well. I find that cutting a piece of bacon in half works best and depending on how thick the chicken breast is, slicing it again vertically to fit the space works well here.
7. Place your stuffed chicken breast pieces into your greased casserole dish.
8. Bake until the internal temperature of the chicken hits 165 degrees F. Total cook time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken, plan 30-40 minutes.

Can I air fry the hasselback chicken breast?

Yes, but note that the temperature and cooking time it takes may differ.

I would suggest keeping the heat of an air fryer to around 350 degrees F. and to start checking for the correct temperature after about 15 minutes or so.

Place your prepped hasselback chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and cook until it hits 165 degrees F. internally.

Can I cook hasselback chicken in a slow cooker?

I prefer to air fry, bake, or even smoke on the grill. That being said, you could also use your slow cooker if you prefer. Cook your chicken on low heat for 3-4 hours or until it hits 165 F.

Tips for serving and storing:

• If you find the chicken begins to brown too much before it’s finished cooking, you can tent it lightly with foil.
• The chicken will also bake faster on a foil lined baking sheet or if they are spread out more in the casserole dish.
• If you prefer to use slices of cheese instead of shredded with the cream cheese mixture, simply stuff and alternate slices of cheese into the pockets along with the bacon and jalapenos as well.
• Serve the chicken with your favorite sides. I love to pair it with these spicy cumin roasted sweet potatoes and this loaded cheesy Mexican cauliflower rice.

Want to be a better expert at cooking chicken? Check out my 7 tips for making the best chicken for more recipe ideas.