Sheet Pan Jalapeño Popper Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy chicken thighs baked on a sheet pan topped with a spicy jalapeño cream cheese mixture and melted cheddar for a quick, comforting dinner. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving

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Ingredients

6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces, softened cream cheese
1 medium, finely chopped with seeds jalapeño pepper
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped green onions

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, mix 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Rub this spice blend evenly over 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
Step 2: Place chicken thighs on a rimmed sheet pan and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Roast in the oven for 25 minutes until skin is crispy and juices run clear.
Step 3: Meanwhile, combine 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 1 finely chopped medium jalapeño pepper with seeds, 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tablespoons chopped green onions in a bowl.
Step 4: Remove chicken from oven after 25 minutes. Spread the jalapeño cream cheese mixture evenly over each chicken thigh.
Step 5: Return the sheet pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese topping is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables.