Description
This Jalapeno Popper Chicken Salad combines creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors in a quick and easy dish perfect for a light lunch or appetizer. Featuring shredded chicken, pickled jalapenos, and crispy bacon, it’s a flavorful twist on classic chicken salad with a kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapenos
- 1 tablespoon juice from the jar of pickled jalapenos
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 fresh jalapeno, chopped
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Place the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a creamy base for the salad.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the shredded chicken, chopped red onion, pickled jalapenos with their juice, fresh chopped jalapeno, black pepper, salt, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix everything together evenly to ensure all flavors are distributed.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least one hour. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the salad to thicken slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with chopped fresh cilantro if desired for a fresh, herbaceous finish. Enjoy as a sandwich filling, dip, or on its own as a flavorful chicken salad.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and great flavor, but leftover cooked chicken works well too.
- Adjust the amount of jalapenos to your preferred spice level; remove seeds for milder heat.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute light mayonnaise and reduced-fat cream cheese.
- This salad can be served on bread, crackers, or atop a bed of greens for a low-carb option.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
