Description
Spicy air fryer jalapeno popper hasselback chicken delivers a fiery twist on classic comfort food. Crispy exterior and creamy filling promise a mouthwatering meal you’ll savor with every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 120 g (4 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 100 g (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 fresh jalapenos, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
- 50 g (¼ cup) cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps chopped green onions or chives (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Craft a luxurious cheese blend by thoroughly combining cream cheese, cheddar, diced jalapenos, crispy bacon bits, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into a smooth, vibrant mixture.
- Chicken Preparation: Butterfly chicken breasts with precision, creating strategic horizontal cuts while maintaining the meat’s structural integrity to accommodate the rich filling.
- Seasoning Technique: Massage chicken with olive oil, then liberally coat with a robust spice blend of smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper, ensuring deep flavor penetration through the intricate cut patterns.
- Filling Process: Carefully inject the jalapeno-cheese mixture into each deliberate slit, gently pressing to ensure complete and even distribution throughout the chicken’s interior.
- Cooking Setup: Preheat air fryer to 200C, creating an optimal cooking environment for achieving perfectly golden and succulent results.
- Air Frying Method: Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick solution, strategically position the stuffed chicken breasts in a single layer to promote even heat circulation.
- Final Cooking Stage: Roast for 15-18 minutes, tracking internal temperature until chicken reaches 75C and cheese develops a tempting golden effervescence.
- Presentation: Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of fresh green onions or chives, adding a vibrant visual and flavor dimension.
- Serving Suggestion: Accompany the stuffed chicken with a crisp salad, roasted seasonal vegetables, or cauliflower rice, offering guacamole or sour cream as optional indulgent side options.
Notes
- Slice Strategically: Create precise, even cuts across the chicken breast without completely separating sections, ensuring the chicken holds its structure and allows perfect cheese filling distribution.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 75C internal temperature, preventing dryness while guaranteeing food safety.
- Spice Balance: Adjust jalapeno quantity based on personal heat tolerance; remove seeds for milder flavor or include for extra kick.
- Prevent Cheese Overflow: Fill slits carefully and avoid overstuffing to prevent cheese leaking during air frying, maintaining a clean cooking surface and optimal presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg