I am back to food blogging business…missed you all! Starting off with a bang…if you love spicy, you’ll love this.
And if you’ve learned anything from faux frying on this blog, it’s the importance of Panko. Can’t find Panko? Figure it out (Whole Foods…Trader Joe’s…Amazon.com…). I’m telling you, there’s a wonderful, healthy, culinary world to be made with Panko…get on the boat.
So not only is this chicken stuffed with creamy, cheesy jalapenos, but it is baked in a Panko breading to yield a result tricking you into thinking its been fried. How ever does happen?
Magic.
I paired this entree with pinto beans and a simple salad with raw beets. Of course, the sky is the limit, but the beans were a great, high-fiber touch.
Jalapeno Popper Chicken adapted from The Tiny Tyrant’s Kitchen, as seen on Taste of Home Cooking
4 – 5 ounce chicken breasts
4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup part-skim shredded Cheddar or Colby cheese
1 tsp olive oil
4 jalapenos, chopped (ribs and seeds removed)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
3/4 cup Panko
2 tsp taco seasoning
1 egg
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F and lightly grease a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add jalapenos and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Mix together cream cheese, shredded cheese, and jalapeno peppers. Use a knife to make a pocket in each chicken breast.
Mix together bread crumbs, Panko and taco seasoning on a plate. Whisk egg in a separate bowl. Dip chicken into egg and then into bread crumbs. Repeat with all chicken breasts and place in baking dish.
Bake for 30 minutes. Serve. Yield: 4 servings.
Nutrition Information (per serving): 392 calories; 20.3 g. fat; 153 mg. cholesterol; 526 mg. sodium; 22.5 g. carbohydrate; 1 g. fiber; 43.3 g. protein
Result: Delicious! We loved this recipe. Don’t worry about cutting the perfect pocket in your chicken breast, or making a mess…you can’t combine the ingredients and go wrong! If you like things really hot, you could even up the peppers…or leave in the seeds and membrane. If you dare 😉 Enjoy!
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It’s been good to get back into a workout and cooking routine, though my jet lag seems to be worsening the longer I’m home. Or maybe it’s just the grind of being back to work? Either way, Monday and Tuesday have been tiring. Last night was the second to last weight management support group and I just adore our group of ladies. They’re so inspiring and warm. I didn’t get home until nearly 8pm, so I opted out of a workout. Today there will definitely be a workout, however…I’m thinking the elliptical.
Question: I’m curious…what would you recommend serving with this Jalapeno Popper Chicken?
Happy Hump Day!
Love the sound of jalapeno popper chicken – it’s on my list.
Got the message on the Panko Crumbs – on that too! (Were you talking about me)?
Hurry home.
Ma & Pa Prevention
Author
3 weeks from today…. 🙂
I think I would have to serve some vegetable with these poppers, because I like to follow the MyPlate guidelines 🙂 haha, I’m such a nerdy RD. I still haven’t used Panko. I’m crazy. We sell it at work, and I WILL be buying them soon!!
I’m doing a segment on the news today, and we’re talking about MyPlate and how to prepare quick fall meals (it’s taped today, but aired later). I will definitely be bringing up panko bread crumbs!
Author
Let me know when it’s aired! You’re such an RD celebrity!!
I love jalapenos. I go through food obsessions, and they were heavy in my diet earlier this year.
I’d probably serve something kind of “home-style” with the chicken- like corn or green beans…
This chicken sounds awesome. I love jalapeno poppers and chicken is my favorite meat. My husband jokes that I’ll eat anything as long as it has chicken and cheese, so this fits the bill! Since it’s a little spicy, I think Mexican-ish and would go with rice and maybe some chips and guac to cool it down a bit.
Author
There’s no going wrong with chicken + cheese!
I will be trying this!
This is right up my alley! Looks delicious 🙂
I’m so glad you liked this. Looks great!
Would you mind changing the name of my blog…it’s A Taste of Home Cooking, not cookies. Thanks! 🙂
Author
I apologize!! I knew the name, I just can’t type, I guess. Or, maybe cookies on the brain? 🙂 Probably a bit of both. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
This chicken looks amazing! I’m going to have to save this one.
It always takes a bit of time to get over the jet lag. I remember coming back from Europe, I was off for quite a bit of time.
My hubby would like that – no, wait… he’d looooove that
This sounds amazing. I want to eat at your house. You always make the best food.
I didnt know you could eat raw beets. Interesting.
Author
Oh yes, and they’re really, really good!
Why haven’t I thought of making this??!! This is right up my alley. I think because the chicken is spicy, you would need a sweeter side dish – check out this sweet potato salad recipe:
http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/sweet-potato-salad-easy-side-dish?pkw=PI&vendor=Paid+Inclusion&OCID=iSEMPI
I’d love to meet you at a cooking class in August – just give me the details – I am in Virginia the weekend of the 12th, but other than that, I am wide open. 😀
Author
So funny! The Tropical Butternut Squash Salad that I paired with the satay last night was sooo similar to that recipe…pineapple, red bell pepper, green onion…
I checked out the classes and there’s really nothing fabulous, or at a good time. 🙁
I cannot wait to make this! I’d serve it with a rice pilaf of sorts and broccoli with lemon and Parmesan. That’s just what immediately came to mind! I might also consider a cucumber salad (cucumbers vinegar sour cream dill salt and pepper)…
Author
I got a cucumber at the farmer’s market yesterday and that sour cream, dill, salt, and pepper sound perfect for it! My dill is growing like madness! Thank you 🙂 And enjoy the Jalapeno Popper Chicken 😉
Where has this recipe been all my life? (wiping drool off my chin….)
Author
Haha, I love it! Thanks!
This recipe is definitely a keeper! My hubby loves spicy!
Bookmarking this recipe! I’d probably serve some veggies or rice with this 🙂
Yummy! Anything that has jalapeno in it has my attention. I think this could be good with a creamy pasta (prob not healthy) or over spinach. Maybe even a jalapeno creamed spinach. Yep when I go jalapeno I go all out!
I love anything that has jalapenos in it! Bookmarking! 🙂
ooh this has my dad’s name all over it! printing now 🙂
p.s.. i got my blogroll up and running today and you’re included! hope we can keep in touch next year when I’m in columbus. it’d be great to have a fellow foodie in the area!
Author
Thank you! And I hope so, too..I would love that! 🙂
Hm, I’d probably go with fresh grilled corn on the cob! All my family lives in Northern Ohion and Michigan so we always eat the best corn when we visit. Often purchased from road side stands. Unfortunately not that many corn crops near DC.
I’ve never cooked with panko before but I’ll have to give it a whirl!
That looks so good, Nicole! And I LOVED your Singapore vacation recap! It sounded like an amazing trip and that pool was beautiful!
Author
It really was. I wanted to pack it in my suitcase to go 😉
I love the pinto bean side… But i’d totally serve up watermelon with it. Mainly for myself cause I can’t handle the heat.
You know we love them poppers… This looks like another winner Nicole!
Is there anything more to say but “yum”? I don’t think I’ve ever had a jalapeno popper, but this, I’d be all over.