Weight Watchers Lightened Up Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Nutrition Information: Amount Per Serving: CALORIES: 388TOTAL FAT: 14gSATURATED FAT: 6gCHOLESTEROL: 30mgSODIUM: 486mgCARBOHYDRATES: 51gNET CARBOHYDRATES: 49gFIBER: 2gSUGAR: 1gPROTEIN: 16g

PREP TIME15 minutes

COOK TIME30 minutes

TOTAL TIME45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. rotini pasta-you can use gluten-free pasta to make it gluten-free or whole grain pasta
• 6 slices center cut bacon
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tsp minced garlic 
• 1 Tbsp light butter- I use Land O’ Lakes light butter made with canola oil
• 2 Tbsp all purpose or gluten-free flour
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1 and 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or skim milk 
• 8 oz. light cream cheese, softened, and if using block light cream cheese-cut into small cubes 
• 3/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese blend, divided 
• 1 (4 oz.) can diced jalapeños or green chiles 
• 2 1/2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
• 1 fresh jalapeño, deseeded and sliced
  
  Directions
  
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• Cook bacon in a large nonstick pan until bacon is crispy and golden brown.
• While the bacon is cooking, cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
• Crumble bacon and set aside. Discard grease.
• Add onion to the same pan or another large skillet and cook until soft.
• Add garlic and cook 1 minute, then add butter to pan. When butter has melted, sprinkle flour into pan to make a roux.
• Gradually whisk in chicken broth and your choice of milk.
• Add light cream cheese and stir until melted. Add diced jalapeños. Cook until sauce begins to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese.
• Pour cooked pasta into prepared casserole dish, layer with cooked chicken, and then pour cheese sauce over the top. Stir until well combined.
• Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and dispose the foil.
• Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, crumbled bacon, and sliced jalapeños and bake for another 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.