Description
This jalapeño popper chicken salad is creamy, cheesy, and packed with smoky bacon and just the right amount of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 –2 tsp ranch seasoning (to taste)
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1 –2 jalapeños (deseeded and diced)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (chopped)
- 6 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the mayonnaise, softened cream cheese, lemon juice, garlic powder, ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper using a hand mixer (or stand mixer) until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the ranch seasoning if needed.
- Fold in the chopped chicken, crumbled bacon, diced jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped cilantro until everything is evenly combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors come together. If you have time, chilling it overnight makes it even better.
- Just before serving, make the panko topping. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat, then add the panko. Cook, stirring often, until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Spoon the chicken salad into a serving bowl and sprinkle the toasted panko over the top. You can also stir a little of it directly into the salad for extra crunch. Garnish with more cilantro, jalapeños, or bacon if you like, and serve.
Notes
- This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the level of heat by varying the number of jalapeños used.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: jalapeno, chicken salad, creamy salad, party food