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Jalapeño Popper Skillet Tacos

5.0

(4)

Image may contain Brunch Food Cutlery Spoon Food Presentation Plate Bread Cookware and Cup
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Thu Buser, and Prop Styling by Christina Allen

With this recipe, the classic appetizer is reimagined as a spicy cheesy skillet—from which you can scoop your own taco filling. Roasted poblanos, jalapeños, and red onion make up the base, coated with a melty sauce made of pepper jack cheese and stabilizing cream cheese. Serve tortillas, cilantro, and lime wedges on the side to make it a hands-on meal.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    45 minutes

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

12 oz. pepper jack cheese, coarsely grated (about 3 cups), divided
4 tsp. all-purpose flour
1 medium red onion, cut into 1"-thick wedges, layers separated
4 medium poblano chiles, halved, ribs and seeds removed, cut into 1"-wide strips
3 jalapeños, thinly sliced into strips
Extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
Kosher salt
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature, cut into large pieces
Freshly ground pepper
Small flour tortillas, cilantro leaves with tender stems, and lime wedges (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place a rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 450°. Set 1 cup coarsely grated pepper jack cheese aside. Place remaining 2 cups coarsely grated pepper jack cheese in a large bowl, add 4 tsp. all-purpose flour, and toss until completely coated.

    Step 2

    Place 1 medium red onion, cut into 1"-thick wedges, layers separated, 4 medium poblano chiles, halved, ribs and seeds removed, cut into 1"-wide strips, and 3 jalapeños, thinly sliced into strips, in a medium ovenproof skillet. Drizzle lightly with extra-virgin olive oil and season with kosher salt; toss to coat. Roast in oven until tender and blistered in spots, 20–25 minutes. Remove from oven and heat broiler (on high if your oven has options).

    Step 3

    Meanwhile, heat ½ cup water in a medium saucepan over medium-high until starting to bubble at the edges. Reduce heat to medium, then add 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature, cut into large pieces, and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and combined, about 1 minute. Add coated pepper jack cheese and cook, whisking constantly and vigorously, until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth and homogeneous, about 3 minutes. (Sauce will thicken as it cools; reheat briefly, whisking, before the next step if needed.)

    Step 4

    Pour sauce over onion mixture. Sprinkle reserved pepper jack cheese on top. Broil until bubbling and blistered in spots, about 3 minutes. Season with freshly ground pepper.

    Step 5

    Serve cheesy onion mixture with small flour tortillas, cilantro leaves with tender stems, and lime wedges for building tacos.

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