Ingredients
- 250 grams cooked chicken, diced into cubes
- 6 slices streaky bacon
- 125 grams cheddar cheese, grated
- 100 grams cream cheese
- 75 grams sour cream
- 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, finely diced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper
- 18 small flour tortillas
Instructions
- Heat a large frypan over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon to your desired preference. Dice the bacon into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeno, paprika, cumin and seasoning. Add in the bacon and cooked chicken and fold through.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of filling to one side of each tortilla, then fold over and gently press down. Spray each taco on both sides with spray oil.
- Pan fry the tacos over a medium-high, in batches, until both sides are golden and crispy (only takes 1-2 minutes for each side).
- Serve with guacamole, sour cream and slices of lime.
Jalapeno popper tacos combine the best of two worlds: the creamy, spicy goodness of jalapeño poppers and the crispy satisfaction of a taco. These tacos are filled with diced chicken, smoky bacon, a blend of cheeses, and just the right kick of heat from the jalapeño. If you’re looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing recipe that delivers big on flavor, this one ticks all the boxes.
Prepping the Flavorful Filling
Start by cooking your bacon to your desired level of crispiness. I like mine on the crispy side to add texture to the tacos. Once it’s done, dice the bacon into small pieces. While the bacon cools, combine the grated cheddar, cream cheese, sour cream, diced jalapeño, smoked paprika, and cumin in a large bowl. This mixture is where all the flavors come together—cheesy, smoky, with just a hint of spice. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper. Once the filling is mixed, fold in the bacon and diced, cooked chicken, making sure everything is evenly combined.
For the chicken, you can either dice up some store-bought barbecue chicken or use fresh chicken breast. If you’re using chicken breast, just slice it in half lengthwise and pan-fry in a little olive oil until it’s cooked through.
Filling and Assembling the Jalapeño Popper Tacos
The next step is assembling the tacos. Small flour tortillas are perfect for bite-sized tacos with a nice, crispy texture, but larger tortillas work well too if you want something more substantial. Lay out your tortillas and add 1-2 tablespoons of the filling to one side of each.
Fold the tortilla over and press down gently to seal it, creating that classic taco shape.
To get them crispy and golden, spray both sides of each taco with a little oil. This will help them crisp up nicely when you pan-fry them.
Frying for the Perfect Crunch
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and fry the tacos in batches. It only takes 1-2 minutes per side for them to turn golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them because they cook quickly!
Once they’re done, transfer the tacos to a plate and serve with your favorite accompaniments like guacamole, sour cream, or lime wedges. The contrast between the crispy shell and the creamy filling is what makes these jalapeño popper tacos irresistible.
These jalapeño popper tacos are perfect for casual get-togethers, game nights, or as a fun weeknight dinner option. They’re easy to make in batches and are sure to be a hit with anyone who loves a bit of spice and crunch.
