Description
Spicy “smoked jalapeño popper chicken bombs” deliver a delightful explosion of creamy, smoky flavors that dance across your palate. Succulent chicken wrapped around zesty peppers and rich cream cheese promises a mouthwatering adventure you won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 lb bacon
Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 jalapeno peppers
- 2 cloves garlic
Seasoning & Coating:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 250°F, creating an ideal environment for infusing rich, smoky flavors into the chicken.
- Meticulously butterfly each chicken breast, creating a wide pocket for the decadent filling, ensuring even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Finely dice jalapeno peppers and mince garlic, combining them with softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar to create a zesty, creamy filling.
- Generously stuff each chicken breast with the jalapeno-cheese mixture, carefully sealing the edges to prevent leakage during cooking.
- Season the stuffed chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, massaging the spices into the meat for maximum flavor absorption.
- Wrap each stuffed chicken breast completely with bacon strips, ensuring full coverage and adding an extra layer of savory richness.
- Roll the bacon-wrapped chicken in breadcrumbs, creating a crisp exterior that will contrast beautifully with the tender, smoky meat.
- Drizzle olive oil over the prepared chicken bombs to promote even browning and enhance overall moisture.
- Place the chicken bombs in the smoker, allowing them to cook for approximately 2-3 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the bacon becomes perfectly crisp.
- Remove from the smoker and let rest for 10 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and intensify the complex flavor profile.
- Slice and serve hot, revealing the molten cheese and smoky, spicy interior of these indulgent chicken bombs.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by removing jalapeno seeds for milder heat or adding extra peppers for more intense flavor.
- Substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt or low-fat alternatives to create a lighter, healthier version of the dish.
- Ensure chicken is completely sealed to prevent cheese from leaking during smoking, using toothpicks if necessary to secure edges.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack or gouda to customize the filling’s flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg