Description
These Smoked Jalapeño Popper Chicken Bombs take the classic jalapeño popper to the next level by combining juicy chicken with smoky jalapeños, creamy cheese, and a crispy bacon wrap. Perfect for grilling or smoking, they’re packed with flavor and ideal for parties, game days, or a fun family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 large jalapeños, seeds removed and sliced in half
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon (about 4 strips)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 slices of bacon (for wrapping)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Toothpicks (to secure the bacon)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Preheat your smoker or grill to 225°F (107°C).
- Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them horizontally (but not all the way through) to create a pocket.
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Make the Jalapeño Popper Filling:
- In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Stuff the Chicken:
- Carefully stuff each chicken breast with the jalapeño popper mixture. Place 2-3 jalapeño halves inside each chicken breast. Close the chicken breast over the filling, securing it with toothpicks if necessary.
- Wrap the Chicken:
- Wrap each stuffed chicken breast with two slices of bacon, securing the bacon with toothpicks. Ensure the bacon covers the chicken completely.
- Smoke the Chicken:
- Place the bacon-wrapped chicken on the smoker or grill and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the bacon is crispy.
- Optionally, increase the heat for the last 10 minutes to crisp the bacon further if necessary.
- Serve:
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the smoker or grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Remove the toothpicks before serving.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or spicy BBQ sauce.
Notes
- For a milder version, you can substitute the jalapeños with milder peppers like poblano or banana peppers.
- If you prefer to cook these in the oven, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-40 minutes until the chicken reaches the desired temperature and the bacon is crispy.
- You can add additional spices or a splash of hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture for an extra kick.
- If you’re in a hurry, use pre-cooked bacon to save time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1.5 to 2 hours (depending on the size of the chicken breasts)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Smoking, Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (for 4 servings)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 130mg