Jalapeno Popper Chicken Baked Ziti

Believe it or not, this recipe came to me in a dream after discussing previous adventures with jalapeno poppers and standard baked ziti. I awoke the next morning with a desire and a vision, and thus this delicious, spicy, and creamy ziti was born.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr
• Total Time: 3 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 709 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• ¼ cup diced onion
• 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• ½ cup crushed buttery round crackers
• 1 (16 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded pepper Jack cheese
• 1 teaspoon onion flakes
• 3 medium jalapeno peppers - stemmed, seeded, and minced
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, softened

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine chicken breasts, chicken broth, salt, pepper, onion flakes, oregano, and garlic for shredded chicken in a medium slow cooker, making sure chicken is completely covered by broth.

Step 2

Cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center, on Low for 5 to 6 hours or on High for 3 to 4 hours.

Step 3

Thirty minutes before chicken is finished cooking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 4

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 5

While ziti is cooking, prepare filling: fry bacon, jalapenos, and onion in a small skillet over medium-high heat until onions are tender and bacon is browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a small mixing bowl with cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and mayonnaise; mix until well combined.

Step 6

Remove chicken from the slow cooker and place into a large bowl; use 2 forks to shred chicken into small pieces. Add cooked ziti and Alfredo sauce; mix well.

Step 7

Pour 1/2 of the chicken-ziti mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle pepper Jack cheese in an even layer over top. Spread jalapeno popper filling evenly across the dish. Pour remaining chicken-ziti mixture into the dish, and sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella over top.

Step 8

Mix crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, and butter for topping together in a small bowl; sprinkle over the pasta dish.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and just barely starts to turn golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.