Our Recipes / Fresh Made Easy / Crispy Jalapeño Poppers with Cream Cheese & Shredded Chicken

Close-up of a textured blue fabric.

Crispy Jalapeño Poppers with Cream Cheese & Shredded Chicken

Golden, crunchy, spicy and gooey in the middle — these poppers bring the heat, the comfort, and a whole lot of snack-time joy.

Infographic showing cooking process: Prep time 20 minutes, cook time 15 minutes, serves 6 people.
Fried chicken wings garnished with cilantro on a brown oval plate, accompanied by pickles, dipping sauce, and ranch dressing on a white wooden surface.

Shopping List

8–10 Fresh Jalapeños, halved and deseeded

A few sprigs Fresh Parsley or Coriander, chopped (garnish)
1 cup Cooked Chicken, shredded

100g Cream Cheese, softened

¼ cup Grated Cheddar

1 tbsp Spring Onion, finely sliced

For Dredging

½ cup Plain Flour

2 Eggs, beaten

1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs

Optional: Add a pinch of smoked paprika or parmesan to the crumbs

Olive oil spray (for oven) or vegetable oil (for shallow fry)

Pantry CHECK

Salt & Cracked Pepper

Ingredients for a dish, including chopped chicken, green jalapeño peppers, green onions, shredded cheese, sour cream, flour, butter, spices, and beaten eggs, arranged on a white table.

METHOD

  1. Prep the jalapeños: Slice each jalapeño in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and white membrane, leaving some if you want more heat. Set aside.

  2. Make the filling: In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, spring onion, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and scoopable.

  3. Fill each jalapeño: Spoon a heaped amount of filling into each halved jalapeño. Gently press it down to form a smooth dome that will hold during dredging.

  4. Dredge for crispiness: Prepare three bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs (seasoned with paprika or parmesan if desired). Dust each filled jalapeño in flour, dip into egg, and press into breadcrumbs until fully coated. Place the crumbed poppers on a lined tray.

  5. Cook until golden: For the oven method, preheat to 200°C fan-forced, spray poppers with olive oil, and bake for 15–18 minutes until golden and crisp. For the shallow fry method, heat 1 cm of oil in a pan over medium heat and fry poppers for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown, then drain on paper towel.

  6. Serve with style: Garnish with chopped coriander or parsley. Serve hot with lime wedges, a drizzle of hot honey, or a cool yoghurt ranch dip.

TOP TIP

For uniform poppers, choose medium-sized jalapeños that curve gently. Avoid ones with deep bends — they’re trickier to fill and dredge evenly.

Icon of an open brochure with a heart and lines on the pages, next to the text 'Download the Brochure'.
Icon of a printer with the words "Print Recipe" beside it.
Person filling lettuce leaves with a mixture of cooked ground meat and chopped vegetables for lettuce wraps
Text graphic with the words "Our Recipes" in stylized font.

KIDS SAN CHOY BAO

Icons indicating 4 layers of difficulty, 15 minutes, and 10 minutes.
A plate of fresh mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar on a white surface.

Cherry tomato, BUrrata & Basil Salad

Icons indicating a person, a knife, 10-minute timer, and 1-minute timer.
Shrimp ceviche with sliced jalapeños, cucumber, red onion, cilantro, and a lemon wedge on a brown ceramic plate.

Zesty prawn, Green Chilli & Coriander Ceviche

Icons showing 6 servings, 20-minute preparation, 20-minute cooking, and 6 calories.
Skewers of grilled meat garnished with fresh mint leaves, cherry tomatoes, and yellow cherry tomatoes on a white plate, with a lemon half on a white wooden surface.

GRILLED LAMB KABOBS WITH FRESH THYME

Icons representing 6 people, a spoon, 20 minutes, and 10 minutes