Jalapeño Popper Chicken Tacos Recipe

Introduction

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Tacos bring together the creamy, spicy flavors of classic jalapeño poppers in a fun taco form. This easy recipe combines shredded chicken with cheese, bacon, and spices for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• 4 fresh jalapeños, diced
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, diced jalapeños, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well blended.
2. Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat and warm the tortillas one at a time for about 30 seconds on each side until they are soft and pliable.
3. Step 3: Spoon a generous amount of the jalapeño popper chicken mixture onto the center of each warmed tortilla.
4. Step 4: Fold the tortillas over to form tacos, or serve them open-faced if you prefer.
5. Step 5: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder version, remove the seeds from the jalapeños before dicing.
• Swap cooked bacon for turkey bacon or leave it out for a vegetarian option—consider adding black beans for protein.
• Try adding a squeeze of hot sauce or a sprinkle of cotija cheese for extra flavor.
• Warm tortillas wrapped in a clean towel to keep them soft while assembling all tacos.

Storage

Store leftover jalapeño popper chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep tortillas separately wrapped in foil or plastic wrap. Reheat the filling gently in a skillet or microwave before assembling fresh tacos. Warm tortillas before serving for best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked chicken to save time?

Yes, pre-cooked rotisserie or leftover chicken works perfectly and speeds up preparation.

How spicy are these tacos?

The heat level depends on the jalapeños and whether you include the seeds. Removing seeds will make the tacos milder, while keeping them adds more punch.

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Tacos Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 89 reviews

These Jalapeño Popper Chicken Tacos combine the creamy, spicy flavors of jalapeño poppers with tender shredded chicken for a deliciously comforting yet easy-to-make meal. Cream cheese, cheddar, and smoky bacon blend with diced jalapeños and aromatic spices, all wrapped inside warm tortillas for a perfect handheld dinner or snack.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 tacos 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken Filling

• 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• 4 fresh jalapeños, diced
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For Serving

• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the jalapeño popper chicken mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, diced jalapeños, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined into a creamy, flavorful filling.
2. Warm the tortillas: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place each tortilla in the skillet one at a time and warm for about 30 seconds on each side. This makes the tortillas soft and pliable, ideal for folding or rolling.
3. Assemble the tacos: Spoon a generous amount of the jalapeño popper chicken mixture onto the center of each warmed tortilla, ensuring an even distribution of filling for each taco.
4. Shape the tacos: Fold the tortillas over the filling to form tacos, or leave them open-faced if preferred, depending on your serving style.
5. Garnish and serve: Serve the tacos warm, garnished with fresh cilantro and accompanied by lime wedges for squeezing over the top to add a fresh, zesty brightness.

Notes

• Adjust the number of jalapeños based on your heat preference for milder or spicier tacos.
• Use flour or corn tortillas according to dietary preference or availability.
• For a crispier texture, you can toast the tacos slightly longer in the skillet or finish them in an oven or air fryer briefly.
• Leftover filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated before assembling tacos.
• Add diced tomatoes or avocado slices for extra freshness and texture variation.

Keywords: jalapeño popper chicken tacos, spicy chicken tacos, creamy chicken tacos, jalapeño poppers, easy taco recipe, bacon chicken tacos