• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Meatloaf and Melodrama logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
      • Collaborate
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Uncategorized » Recipes

    One Pan Jalapeno Popper Chicken Pasta

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Oct 19, 2016 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    This delicious One Pan Jalapeno Popper Chicken Pasta is rich, creamy, cheesy and spicy. It's the perfect easy game day dinner!

    Jump to Recipe -

    one-pan-jalapeno-popper-chicken-pasta-bacon

    This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 

    You all know how much I love football, especially when there's delicious food to go along with the game! I'm always searching for game day recipes that are cheesy, spicy, easy to make and easy to eat.  Honestly, when it comes to game day food, the spicier, the better. The only problem with that, my friends, is heartburn -- ugh! But more on that in a bit.

    If we can't attend the game, we make sure to watch it on TV. I usually make several different dishes on game days, set them out on the counter and let people just take what they want. It's super casual, but fun.

    I've only made this spicy jalapeno popper chicken pasta dish couple of times, but it's already a family favorite. Even the Hubs, who doesn't like things too spicy, loves it. To make things easier and cut down on dishes, I cook everything in one pan, and then I transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake it. Actually, if you use a foil pan for baking, you only have one pot to wash!

    Basically, I brown the chicken, along with some diced jalapeno peppers and onions. Then, I add the pasta and water.

    one-pan-jalapeno-popper-chicken-pasta

    When the pasta is almost done, I make the creamy sauce in the same pan. In fact, you could stop at this point if you wanted to, but who can resist a pan of cheesy, ooey-gooey baked pasta?

    cheesy-one-pot-jalapeno-popper-chicken-pasta

    Now, let's talk about the side effects of eating a lot of spicy, cheesy food -- heartburn! Bummer, right? You know, I've been eating spicy food forever, but I never had any heartburn until I was pregnant with my youngest. And believe me, that was definitely not fun. Now, I only have problems after I've eaten too much spicy food, which seems to occur about every weekend in the fall or whenever my favorite team is playing!

     

    This one pan jalapeno popper chicken pasta is definitely spicy, but you can control the heat by using fewer peppers. And if you want more heat, you can toss in more jalapenos. I added some cooked bacon right before I put the pasta in the oven. This is optional, but bacon makes it even better!

    one-pan-jalapeno-popper-chicken-pasta-bake

    How to Make One Pan Jalapeno Popper Chicken Pasta

    one-pan-jalapeno-popper-chicken-pasta-bacon

    One Pan Jalapeno Popper Chicken Pasta

    Published by Dee
    Cheesy, creamy penne pasta with jalapeno peppers and bacon. Cook it in one pan and bake it in another!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Text Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 582 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound chicken tenders, cut into cubes
    • 2 large jalapeno peppers (¼ cup chopped and about 12 thin slices)
    • ¼ cup white or yellow onions (chopped)
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 cups mini penne pasta
    • 3 cups water
    • 2 cups heavy cream
    • 4 ounces cream cheese
    • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    • cooked, chopped bacon pieces (optional)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
    • In a medium-sized pan, cook onions and jalapeno peppers in 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium-high heat until slightly soft
    • Add chicken, sea salt, pepper and garlic powder, and cook until brown
    • Add pasta and water, turn heat to high, cover and cook until pasta just starts to get soft (about 8 minutes)
    • Reduce heat to medium, stir in cream cheese and cream, and cook until cheese is melted and sauce starts to thicken
    • Remove from heat, and spoon about half of the mixture into a 9X13-inch baking dish, coated with 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • Add one cup of cheese, then add bacon, if using, remaining pasta and top with remaining 2 cups of cheese
    • Top with jalapeno slices, and bake for about 15 minutes or until bubbly and top starts to brown
    • Let stand for about 5 minutes before serving 

    Notes

    You can skip the baking if you want and add the cheese before serving from the pan. Or, you can refrigerate pasta and bake later. 

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 582kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 27gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 694mgPotassium: 381mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1405IUVitamin C: 5.2mgCalcium: 276mgIron: 0.8mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

     

    One Pan Jalapeno Popper Chicken Pasta

     

     

     

    Have a great game day!

    sig%2B1.png

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    « One Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Pork Chops
    One Bowl Chocolate Caramel Brownies »

    You May Also Like

    chicken alfredo penne pasta on wooden spoon over Dutch oven
    Chicken Alfredo Penne Pasta
    cheesy chicken spaghetti with diced tomatoes in kitchen tongs
    Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
    blt pasta salad with rotini pasta and bacon and lettuce and tomatoes on a spoon
    BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary says

      March 11, 2020 at 2:20 pm

      Are you supposed to drain the water out after the pasta part?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        March 11, 2020 at 3:50 pm

        No, the pasta will absorb the water as it cooks. If you feel there is too much water after the pasta is cooked, you can drain it before you add the cream.

    2. Miz Helen says

      October 27, 2016 at 11:22 am

      Congratlations!
      Your recipe is featured on our Top Ten Features at Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you enjoy your new Red Plate and thanks so much for sharing with us!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    3. Stephanie says

      October 25, 2016 at 7:11 pm

      Oh wow, this looks amazingly delicious! A great meal for game day, or any day. YUM! #client

      Reply
    4. Miz Helen says

      October 22, 2016 at 9:07 am

      We will just love this casserole, it looks like our kind of meal. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great weekend and come back soon!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    5. Cathy Trochelman says

      October 21, 2016 at 1:33 pm

      This looks absolutely GREAT! My family would go crazy for it...especially my husband!

      Reply
    6. Maryanne | the little epicurean says

      October 20, 2016 at 11:08 pm

      I love cheesy this chicken pasta looks!

      Reply
    7. Catalina @ Peas & Peonies says

      October 20, 2016 at 10:35 am

      Jalapeno pasta sounds interesting and delicious! Thank you

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 20, 2016 at 6:34 pm

        Thanks, Catalina. I guess it is interesting! 🙂

    8. Laura at I Heart Naptime says

      October 20, 2016 at 6:16 am

      Holy smokes, this pasta dish looks amazing!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 20, 2016 at 9:31 am

        Thanks, Laura. It disappears super fast!

    9. katerina @ diethood.com says

      October 20, 2016 at 2:53 am

      Wow!! This is perfect for game day!! Looks delicious!!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 20, 2016 at 9:30 am

        Thanks so much! It was definitely a winner in our house! 🙂

    10. Michelle says

      October 19, 2016 at 9:31 pm

      Dee- this sounds like a Winner!
      Thanks so much for the recipe!
      Looks delicious!
      Michelle

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 19, 2016 at 11:08 pm

        Thanks, Michelle! We really loved this! 🙂

    11. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

      October 19, 2016 at 4:24 pm

      Best looking game day grub of the week!

      Reply
      • Dee says

        October 19, 2016 at 11:10 pm

        Thanks, Dorothy.This is one of our favorites for game day!

    Leave a Review Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Strawberry Jello Fruit Salad
    • Red White and Blue Poke Cake
    • Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
    • Easy Microwave Baked Potato
    • Red White and Blue Bark
    • Blackstone Griddle Smash Burger Recipe
    • Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil
    • Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • All About Dee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As Seen On

    as seen on buzzfeed delish country living forbes southern living

    Copyright © 2022 Meatloaf and Melodrama