Description
Smoky jalapeño popper chicken bombs deliver explosive flavor that melds creamy cheese, spicy peppers, and juicy chicken into one irresistible bite. Crispy bacon wrapping and zesty seasonings make this dish a crowd-pleasing sensation you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 large chicken breasts
Peppers:
- 4 large jalapenos, halved and seeded
Cheese:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bacon
- BBQ sauce (optional, for glazing)
- Toothpicks or butchers twine
- Wood chips (optional, for extra smoke flavor)
Instructions
- Butterfly chicken breasts carefully by slicing horizontally, creating thinner, uniform pieces. Gently flatten with a meat mallet to ensure consistent thickness.
- Create a creamy filling by blending cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Stuff each jalapeno half generously with the prepared cheese mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Position a stuffed jalapeno on one edge of the chicken piece and roll tightly, encasing the pepper completely within the meat.
- Wrap each chicken roll with a bacon slice, securing the edges using toothpicks or butchers twine to maintain shape during cooking.
- Season the exterior of the wrapped chicken bombs with salt, black pepper, and an additional sprinkle of smoked paprika for enhanced flavor profile.
- Heat smoker to 250F, incorporating wood chips for deeper smoky essence. Arrange chicken bombs on grates with seam facing downward.
- Smoke for approximately 2-2.5 hours, monitoring internal chicken temperature until it reaches 165F and bacon becomes crisp and golden.
- Optional: During final 15 minutes, brush bombs with BBQ sauce to create a glossy, caramelized exterior.
- Remove toothpicks before serving. Accompany with complementary sides like tangy coleslaw, rustic cornbread, or fresh green salad.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by removing jalapeno seeds for milder version or keeping seeds for extra spiciness.
- Prepare chicken bombs ahead of time and refrigerate before smoking to enhance flavor absorption and allow seasoning to penetrate.
- Swap bacon with turkey bacon or prosciutto for different dietary preferences or lighter protein options.
- Check internal chicken temperature with meat thermometer to ensure food safety and perfectly cooked chicken without drying out.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg