JALAPENO POPPER CHICKEN BAKED ZITI

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Baked Ziti image

Believe it or not, this recipe came to me in a dream after discussing previous adventures with jalapeno poppers and standard baked ziti. I awoke the next morning with a desire and a vision, and thus this delicious, spicy, and creamy ziti was born.

Provided by Chris Buerke

Time 4h10m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon minced garlic
6 slices bacon, diced
3 medium jalapeno peppers - stemmed, seeded, and minced
¼ cup diced onion
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup mayonnaise
1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
1 (16 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
1 (8 ounce) package shredded pepper Jack cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup crushed buttery round crackers
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons salted butter, softened

Steps:

Combine chicken breasts, chicken broth, salt, pepper, onion flakes, oregano, and garlic for shredded chicken in a medium slow cooker, making sure chicken is completely covered by broth.
Cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center, on Low for 5 to 6 hours or on High for 3 to 4 hours.
Thirty minutes before chicken is finished cooking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
While ziti is cooking, prepare filling: fry bacon, jalapenos, and onion in a small skillet over medium-high heat until onions are tender and bacon is browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a small mixing bowl with cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and mayonnaise; mix until well combined.
Remove chicken from the slow cooker and place into a large bowl; use 2 forks to shred chicken into small pieces. Add cooked ziti and Alfredo sauce; mix well.
Pour 1/2 of the chicken-ziti mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle pepper Jack cheese in an even layer over top. Spread jalapeno popper filling evenly across the dish. Pour remaining chicken-ziti mixture into the dish, and sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella over top.
Mix crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, and butter for topping together in a small bowl; sprinkle over the pasta dish.
Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and just barely starts to turn golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 709.1 calories, Carbohydrate 38.8 g, Cholesterol 129.2 mg, Fat 45.6 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 35.5 g, SaturatedFat 19.5 g, Sodium 1321.9 mg, Sugar 3.6 g