Jalapeno Chicken Casserole Recipe: Velvety & Creamy

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is necessary to brown the cheese quickly without overcooking the already prepared chicken. In a large mixing bowl, combine the 8 oz of softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream. Note: Use a whisk to ensure no lumps remain before adding other ingredients.
2. Stir in the 1 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika until the mixture is a pale orange. Add the 4 cups of shredded chicken and the 4 diced jalapeños. Note: Mixing the chicken in now ensures it is fully sealed by the fat in the sauce, keeping it moist.
3. Fold in half of the 6 slices of crumbled bacon and 1 cup of the grated cheddar. Transfer the entire mixture into your 9x13 baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula. Look for a uniform, flat surface to ensure even browning.
4. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar and the rest of the bacon across the top. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown at the edges.
5. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Top with the 1/4 cup of sliced scallions just before serving. Listen for the sizzle as the cold scallions hit the hot cheese — that's the sound of success!