Bacon Wrapped Chicken Jalapeno Poppers

Bacon, jalapeno, chicken & lots of cheese? These Bacon Wrapper Chicken Jalapeno Poppers are simply the BEST! They’re perfect for any party!!

Appetizers are my JAM. Seriously, sometimes I want to make an entire meal of just finger foods (ok, let’s be honest, sometimes I do that….). I love jalapeno poppers so much that I made it my goal to re-create them as many different ways as I can – (check out this jalapeno popper dip!) – that’s why these little bites of heaven were created. The combination of spicy jalapenos, crispy bacon, and tender chicken is mouthwatering, you’ll have your family begging for more!

Party Perfect Appetizer

My family knows that when they see a massive amount of jalapenos in our shopping cart during our weekly grocery shop, I’m creating something fantastic. Whether it’s these Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs or these Jalapeno Lime Chicken Wings, you could say that I’m a jalapeno addict. I adore those spicy little peppers so much – I love how you can use them in basically any dish to add a little kick and excitement!

Well, this past week, I was feeling like I was in a bit of a jalapeno popper rut (I’ve been making the same recipe for years…), so I decided to experiment a little – I added in some chicken! And believe me when I say, I am never, ever looking back. This chicken jalapeno popper recipe has some extra protein which turned my favorite appetizer into a more substantial snack (so now I’ll only eat 5 instead of my usual 7 to 10….oops).

I was not the only one in my house who loved these chicken jalapeno popper bites! They disappeared so fast, I could hardly believe my eyes! My kids told me that now whenever I’m supposed to make a chicken appetizer for a party or get-together, these have to be made – no negotiations, no questions, just bacon wrapped jalapeno chicken poppers.

Ingredients

MEATS: You’re going to need 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts and 6 strips of bacon for these poppers. I do not recommend using thick-cut bacon, it doesn’t get crispy enough in the allotted cooking time.

DAIRY: To fill the jalapenos, you’ll need cream cheese and a shredded Mexican cheese blend. You can use shredded Colby-Jack or cheddar cheese if you prefer.

JALAPENO: You can’t have jalapeno poppers with jalapenos! Pick out 6 good size jalapenos.

SEASONING: To boost the flavor of these poppers, you’ll need garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Chicken Jalapeno Poppers

STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, move an oven rack to the top slot, and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Next, put the chicken strips into a small mixing bowl, and sprinkle the garlic powder, salt, and pepper over them. Use some tongs to toss the chicken to get it all seasoned.

SETP TWO: Inside the de-seeded jalapeno peppers, spread a thick layer of cream cheese and then sprinkle that with shredded cheese, so the jalapeno is filled with cheese.

STEP THREE: Lay a strip of chicken over the top of the jalapeno popper. Then wrap a piece of bacon around the middle and secure with a toothpick.

STEP FOUR: Place the poppers onto the prepared baking sheet. Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the bacon is nice and crispy.

Tips for Success

• A broiling pan works great for this recipe, too, since the grooves keep the poppers from rolling as you move the tray around.
• If you’re making a lot of poppers or are trying to prep ahead for a party, you can assemble the poppers and place them on a tray for later. Just cover the tray in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
• If you like your poppers spicy, you can leave the seeds in the jalapenos and then spread the cream cheese over them.
• To freeze, assemble the poppers to the point that you’re ready to bake. Line the poppers up on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a food storage bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Then thaw overnight in the fridge (spread into a single layer in the bag or on a covered tray) before baking.

How Spicy are Jalapeno Poppers?

Generally, jalapeno poppers aren’t too spicy, although they do have some kick. Cooking the peppers helps reduce the spiciness a little. The cream cheese filling can also help your mouth deal with the spice.

On the flip side, if you want to give these poppers a bigger kick, you can leave the pepper membranes and seeds intact. Or you can de-seed the peppers and stir in some hot sauce and/or chili powder into the cream cheese before filling them.

What Kind of Sauce Do You Eat with Jalapeno Poppers?

There are plenty of options out there. Most restaurants serve them with a side of ranch dressing. Avocado ranch dressing makes a really tasty option, as does nacho cheese sauce if you want EXTRA cheesy poppers or honey sriracha dipping sauce for a sweet and spicy bite.

More Craveable Bites

• Buffalo Chicken Pizza Bites
• Club Sandwich Pinwheels
• BBQ Cauliflower Bites
• Meatball Parmesan Bites
• Mexican Chicken Empanadas

*This post originally posted on 07/02/2013.