Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken is a creamy, spicy, and cheesy dish inspired by the classic jalapeno popper appetizer. Perfectly tender chicken breasts slow-cooked with ranch seasoning, cream cheese, colby jack cheese, fire-roasted chiles, and fresh jalapenos, served on slider buns topped with green onions for a flavorful and comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (thin sliced or regular)
- 1 oz ranch dressing mix
Cheese and Spices
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 8 oz shredded colby jack cheese (pre-shredded is fine, divided)
- 7 oz fire-roasted chiles (drained)
- 2 jalapenos (seeds removed and diced)
Serving
- Slider buns (King’s Hawaiian savory rolls recommended)
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Add Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker in a single layer.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle the ranch dressing mix evenly over the chicken and turn the pieces to coat thoroughly.
- Soften Cream Cheese: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the cream cheese on high for 30-60 seconds until softened and easily mixable.
- Mix Jalapenos and Cheese: Add the diced jalapenos, fire-roasted chiles, and half of the shredded colby jack cheese to the softened cream cheese. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble Mixture: Spread the cream cheese and jalapeno mixture evenly over the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker, then sprinkle the remaining colby jack cheese on top.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on HIGH for 3.5 to 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and shreds easily.
- Shred Chicken: Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks and mix it well with the creamy cheese mixture.
- Serve: Spoon the jalapeno popper chicken onto slider buns and garnish with sliced green onions for added freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Thin sliced chicken will cook faster and shred more easily, but regular chicken breasts work well too.
- Adjust the amount of jalapenos to control the spice level according to your preference.
- You can substitute fire-roasted chiles with canned diced green chilies for a milder flavor.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and light shredded cheese.
- Great for parties or casual meals, especially when served as sliders.
Keywords: jalapeno popper chicken, slow cooker chicken, cheesy chicken, spicy chicken recipe, chicken sliders