Jalapeño Stuffed Chicken
Juicy chicken breasts packed with a spicy, savory jalapeño and cream filling for a flavor-packed dinner.
Ingredients
- •4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- •2 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely diced
- •4 ounces dairy-free cream cheese or pareve garlic-herb spread
- •1 cup shredded dairy-free cheddar-style cheese
- •1 teaspoon garlic powder
- •1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- •2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and lightly grease a baking dish with a tablespoon of olive oil.
- 2
In a mixing bowl, combine the diced jalapeños, dairy-free cream cheese, shredded dairy-free cheese, half of the garlic powder, half of the smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well mixed.
- 3
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Cut a deep pocket into the side of each chicken breast, making sure not to cut all the way through to the other side.
- 4
Divide the jalapeño cheese mixture evenly and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Secure the openings with wooden toothpicks if needed to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- 5
Rub the outside of the stuffed chicken breasts with the remaining olive oil, then sprinkle the remaining garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly over the surfaces.
- 6
Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- 7
Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, remove any toothpicks, and serve warm.
💡 Chef tips
- Wear kitchen gloves when handling jalapeños to protect your skin and eyes from the capsaicin oils.
- You can assemble the stuffed chicken a few hours in advance, cover, and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
- Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently in the oven.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish features golden-brown chicken breasts that are tender and juicy on the inside, oozing a deliciously spicy, creamy, and melted filling with a wonderful aroma of smoked paprika and roasted jalapeños.