Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken

This bold Air Fryer Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken is a super flavorful upgrade to your ordinary chicken dinner. This crispy dish is gooey and cheesy with a little extra jalapeño kick.

Easy to prepare in the air fryer, this will become a tasty weeknight favorite. No air fryer? Don’t fret! This post includes oven directions too so nobody misses out on this delicious chicken meal.

Jump to:

• 💚 Why You'll Love This Recipe
• 🧂 Ingredients Needed
• 🔪 Instructions
• ❔ FAQs
• 💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
• 💡 Substitutions and Variations
• 🥫 Storage and Reheating
• ⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions
• 🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
• ✔️ More Chicken Recipes You'll Love
• Jalapeno Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken
• 📋 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

💚 Why You'll Love This Recipe

This air fryer jalapeno cream cheese stuffed chicken is a fantastic recipe when you need a flavorful and hearty dinner in just 30 minutes! With the heat of jalapenos and savory bacon, this satisfying chicken dinner will be a huge hit with your family.

Best of all, you likely have many of the ingredients in your kitchen already! Take the classic flavors of bold jalapeno poppers and turn them into a filling meal that's easy to prepare in the air fryer.

For another delicious chicken dish that features jalapeno, try these Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Jalapeno Artichoke Topping! Or make Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs for an easy one-pan meal.

🧂 Ingredients Needed

• jalapeno peppers - these flavorful peppers provide the perfect amount of heat.
• cream cheese - makes the filling for your stuffed chicken creamy and gives it a delicious subtle tang.
• shredded cheddar - melty cheese goes perfectly with any kind of chicken.
• bacon - gives your jalapeno popper chicken an extra savory flavor that pairs well with the popper flavors.
• salt & pepper
• garlic powder & onion powder - a great combination of seasonings to form a flavorful base.
• chicken breast
• seasoned bread crumbs - create a crispy crust and pack in extra flavor from the seasoning.

🔪 Instructions

1. Dice the jalapeno peppers as small as possible. For less kick, remove any seeds or membranes.
2. Add diced jalapenos to a large bowl with cream cheese, shredded cheddar, chopped bacon, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
3. Mix will and set aside.

4. Carefully slice chicken breasts along the side to form a pocket (but not enough to fully butterfly the chicken breasts) then spoon in enough of the cream cheese filling to stuff the chicken.
5. Add the bread crumbs to a dish and coat the stuffed chicken breasts and optionally season with additional salt and pepper.
6. Air fry at 350 degrees F for 18 minutes (or until cooked through) then let sit for 5 minutes.

❔ FAQs

💭 Expert Tips and Tricks

• To make this as baked stuffed chicken breast instead of air fried, prepare as instructed and bake for 20-25 minutes at 450 degrees F.
• If you like your chicken extra crispy, use Panko bread crumbs instead.
• A squeeze of fresh lime juice will bring a pop of sharp and acidic flavor for a whole other layer with your chicken.
• Garnish with jalapeno slices for extra heat and a beautiful presentation.

📌 You can also make this as baked stuffed chicken breast, which is just as easy as cooking your jalapeno popper stuffed chicken in the air fryer! This flavorful and comforting chicken dinner will become a new weeknight favorite.

💡 Substitutions and Variations

• Feel free to use any cheese or a blend of cheeses: sharp cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, or even a Mexican blend are great options for your jalapeno cream cheese stuffed chicken.
• Another way to pack this dish with bacon flavor is to wrap your chicken breasts in thin strips of bacon before air frying instead of pre-cooking and dicing it for the filling.
• Add some paprika to your bread crumbs for some extra warmth and color.

🥫 Storage and Reheating

Store your stuffed chicken breasts in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, pop it back in the air fryer or in the oven for a few minutes until everything is heated through. You can also microwave it, but it may alter the texture.

⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions

One easy way to prepare ahead of time is to pre-cook and cut your bacon. You can also dice the jalapenos ahead of time. In fact, feel free to make the filling up to a day or so before cooking this dish and store covered in the fridge, then simply load into your chicken breasts and cook when it's time!

🍴 What To Serve With This Dish

For a flavorful topping, spoon some Authentic Pico de Gallo over your chicken!

To keep with the jalapeno theme, serve your chicken with Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits. Make this quick and customizable Air Fryer Broccoli, or since your oven will be free, make a delicious Cornbread Casserole or some Oven Fried Crispy Green Bean Fries!

If you love the flavors in this recipe, try making these easy, gluten-free, delicious jalapeno poppers!

📋 Recipe Card