Baked Jalapeño Chicken and Cheese Wontons: A Spicy, Cheesy Delight!

Craving a flavorful and satisfying appetizer or snack? Look no further! These Baked Jalapeño Chicken and Cheese Wontons are the perfect combination of spicy, savory, and cheesy goodness, all wrapped up in a crispy wonton wrapper. This recipe is surprisingly easy to make and requires minimal ingredients, making it ideal for a quick weeknight treat or a crowd-pleasing party snack. Forget greasy, deep-fried wontons – baking them gives you a perfectly crispy texture without all the extra oil. Plus, you can easily customize the spice level and cheese blend to suit your preferences. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these addictive little bites!

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy cooking skills. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can whip up a batch of these wontons.
* **Customizable:** Adjust the amount of jalapeño to control the heat, and use your favorite cheeses for a personalized flavor profile.
* **Healthier than Fried:** Baking the wontons reduces the fat content without sacrificing the crispy texture.
* **Perfect for Sharing:** These wontons are ideal for parties, game nights, or any gathering where you want to serve a delicious and shareable snack.
* **Flavorful and Addictive:** The combination of spicy jalapeño, savory chicken, and melted cheese is simply irresistible.

## Ingredients You’ll Need:

* **Wonton Wrappers:** These are the foundation of our recipe. Look for them in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, usually near the tofu or Asian ingredients.
* **Cooked Chicken:** You can use leftover cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken. Shred or dice it into small pieces.
* **Jalapeños:** Fresh jalapeños add the perfect amount of heat. Remove the seeds and membranes for a milder flavor, or leave them in for a spicier kick.
* **Cream Cheese:** Cream cheese provides a creamy and tangy base for the filling. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
* **Shredded Cheese:** Use your favorite shredded cheese blend, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend. A combination of cheeses adds depth of flavor.
* **Green Onions:** Chopped green onions add a fresh, mild onion flavor to the filling.
* **Garlic Powder:** Garlic powder enhances the savory flavor of the filling.
* **Salt and Pepper:** Season to taste.
* **Olive Oil or Cooking Spray:** For preventing the wontons from sticking to the baking sheet.

## Step-by-Step Instructions:

**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 12-15 minutes
**Yields:** Approximately 24-30 wontons

### 1. Prepare the Filling:

* In a medium bowl, combine the shredded or diced cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, chopped jalapeños (with seeds removed or kept in, depending on your spice preference), chopped green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
* Mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Make sure the cream cheese is fully incorporated and there are no lumps.

### 2. Assemble the Wontons:

* Lay out a clean, dry surface. Have a small bowl of water nearby. This will act as your “glue”.
* Place a wonton wrapper on your work surface.
* Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the chicken and cheese filling into the center of the wonton wrapper. Avoid overfilling, as this can make them difficult to seal.
* Dip your finger into the bowl of water and lightly moisten all four edges of the wonton wrapper. This is crucial for creating a good seal and preventing the filling from leaking out during baking.
* Fold the wonton wrapper in half diagonally to form a triangle. Press firmly along the edges to seal completely. Make sure there are no air pockets inside.
* You can also fold them in other shapes:
* **Money Bag:** Bring all four corners to the center and pinch to seal.
* **Rectangle:** Fold in half to form a rectangle, then press to seal.
* Repeat this process with the remaining wonton wrappers and filling.

### 3. Bake the Wontons:

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
* Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil or cooking spray. This will prevent the wontons from sticking.
* Arrange the assembled wontons in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each wonton.
* Lightly brush the tops of the wontons with olive oil or spray with cooking spray. This will help them brown evenly and become extra crispy.
* Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the wontons are golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times may vary depending on your oven.

### 4. Cool and Serve:

* Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the wontons cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving.
* Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, sour cream, salsa, or a sweet chili sauce.

## Tips and Variations:

* **Spice Level:** Adjust the amount of jalapeño to control the heat. For a milder flavor, remove the seeds and membranes. For a spicier kick, leave them in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the filling.
* **Cheese Variations:** Experiment with different cheese blends, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend. You can also add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
* **Chicken Options:** Use leftover cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, or canned chicken. You can also substitute the chicken with ground turkey or shredded pork.
* **Vegetarian Option:** Replace the chicken with finely chopped vegetables, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.
* **Add-Ins:** Get creative with your filling! Try adding black beans, corn, or diced tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
* **Air Fryer Option:** For an even quicker and crispier result, you can air fry the wontons. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
* **Freezing Instructions:** These wontons can be frozen for later use. Assemble the wontons as directed, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. To bake from frozen, add a few minutes to the baking time.
* **Dipping Sauces:** The possibilities are endless! Serve these wontons with ranch dressing, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.

## Serving Suggestions:

* **Appetizer:** Serve these wontons as an appetizer at your next party or gathering.
* **Snack:** Enjoy them as a satisfying afternoon snack.
* **Side Dish:** Serve them as a side dish with your favorite Asian-inspired meal.
* **Game Day Snack:** These wontons are the perfect game day snack to share with friends and family.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate):

* (Per Wonton – This will vary depending on ingredients and portion size)
* Calories: 50-70
* Fat: 3-5g
* Protein: 3-4g
* Carbohydrates: 4-6g

*Note: This is an estimate. For accurate nutritional information, use a recipe analyzer and input the specific ingredients you use.*

## Recipe Card

**Yields:** Approximately 24-30 wontons
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 12-15 minutes

### Ingredients:

* 1 package wonton wrappers
* 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced
* 1-2 jalapeños, seeded and minced (or more, to taste)
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
* 2 green onions, chopped
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Olive oil or cooking spray

### Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, jalapeños, cream cheese, shredded cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Place a wonton wrapper on a clean surface. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of filling into the center.
4. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water. Fold diagonally to form a triangle and seal tightly.
5. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Arrange wontons in a single layer on the sheet.
6. Brush wontons with olive oil or spray with cooking spray.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
8. Let cool slightly before serving. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

## Enjoy Your Delicious Baked Jalapeño Chicken and Cheese Wontons!

These Baked Jalapeño Chicken and Cheese Wontons are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy snack, a flavorful appetizer, or a fun addition to your game day spread, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. The combination of spicy jalapeño, savory chicken, and creamy cheese is simply irresistible. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy these addictive little bites! Don’t forget to experiment with different cheese blends, spice levels, and dipping sauces to create your own unique version. Happy cooking!