Creamy jalapeño popper filling with Italian sausage stuffed in tender and juicy chicken breasts. This comforting dinner is made all in one pan and topped with mozzarella cheese for melty goodness.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- It's a one pan dish!
- It can be prepped ahead of time!
- It's packed with cheesy and zesty flavors!
Ingredients
- Italian sausage- if you use Italian sausage links, it's about 1 link. You can also use bulk Italian sausage. Sweet, mild, or hot all work.
- Jalapeño- leave the seeds and ribs for a spicier kick or remove for a milder flavor. You can also use serrano peppers.
- Onion- I used yellow onions. Red, white, or sweet onions will work as well.
- Garlic- use fresh garlic for best flavor or you can use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Cream cheese- to bind the filling together and creaminess.
- Parmesan cheese- for all it's umami goodness.
- Chicken breasts- boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- Cajun seasoning- use your own blend or store bought. Some may be spicier or include salt so adjust accordingly.
- Oil- I used canola oil but any neutral oil will work.
- Mozzarella cheese- this can easily be changed to any melty cheese like cheddar, monterey jack, swiss, or pepper jack cheese.
How to Make Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Chicken with Mozzarella Cheese
- Cook the filling.
- Mix the filling.
- Prepare the chicken.
- Stuff the chicken.
- Cook the chicken.
- Melt the cheese.
Tasty Tips
- Add bacon! Instead of sausage in the filling, you can try crumbled bacon. Or top the chicken breasts with cheese and bacon.
- Use a meat mallet to tenderize the chicken and even out the thickness to cook evenly.
- Make this dish ahead of time! Prep up to 2 days ahead of time until step 4 is completed. When you're ready, just cook the chicken and melt the cheese!
FAQs
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze leftovers?
I would not recommend freezing since the filling is creamy and may split after freezing.
How do I reheat leftovers?
Since the stuffed chicken is thick, I like slicing the chicken and laying the slices flat on a plate. Reheat in the microwave for a few minutes until hot.
More Easy Chicken Dinners You'll Love
- Crispy Chicken Parmesan
- Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese
- Rosemary Garlic Lemon Chicken Thighs
Jalapeño Popper Stuffed Chicken with Mozzarella Cheese
Creamy jalapeño popper filling with Italian sausage stuffed in tender and juicy chicken breasts. This comforting dinner is made all in one pan and topped with mozzarella cheese for melty goodness.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 4 ounces Italian sausage
- 4 jalapeños
- ¼ cup yellow onion minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Cook the filling: In a large oven safe skillet on medium heat, add in the Italian sausage, jalapeños, and onions. The sausage will release fat. If the pan is too dry add a splash of oil. Sauté for 5-8 minutes or until the sausage is cooked through. Crumble the sausage into small pieces while it cooks. Add in garlic during the last minute of cooking.
- Mix the filling: Transfer the sausage mixture to a mixing bowl and mix in the cream cheese, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Prepare the chicken: Prepare the chicken breasts by cutting a deep slit into each breast, leaving ¼ inch on back and sides uncut to create a pocket. Use a meat mallet to gently even out the thicker parts of the chicken. Season the inside and outside of the chicken with cajun seasoning.
- Stuff the chicken: Stuff each chicken with ¼ of the jalapeño popper mixture and seal with a toothpick.
- Cook the chicken: In the same skillet on medium heat, add oil and cook the chicken for 4 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Use a lid to cover the chicken to help it cook through.
- Melt the cheese: Top with mozzarella cheese and broil on high for 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted and browned. Remove the toothpicks before serving.
Notes
- Adjust your cajun seasoning to taste as some may be spicier or include salt.
Nutrition Estimate
Calories: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 26gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 485mgPotassium: 402mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2509IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 145mgIron: 2mg
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