The Ultimate Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs Recipe

Crafting mouthwatering smoked jalapeño popper chicken bombs brings together the perfect blend of spicy and savory flavors.

Jalapeños packed with creamy cheese and wrapped in tender chicken create an irresistible appetizer.

Smoky notes dance across each bite, promising an explosion of taste that catches everyone’s attention.

Bold ingredients merge into a delectable experience that challenges traditional party snacks.

Peppers provide a kick while cream cheese smooths out the heat, balancing complex flavor profiles.

Home cooks can easily master this recipe with basic ingredients and straightforward techniques.

You’ll want to serve these at every gathering, watching guests devour these delicious little flavor bombs.

Why You’ll Crave Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs

• Create Flavor Explosion: Packed with spicy jalapenos, creamy cheese, and crispy bacon, this recipe delivers a taste adventure that tantalizes every single bite.
• Master Complex Technique Simply: Butterflying chicken and stuffing it might sound intimidating, but this recipe breaks down each step into manageable actions anyone can follow.
• Perfect for Crowd-Pleasing Gatherings: Whether hosting game day, summer barbecue, or family dinner, these chicken bombs guarantee excited reactions and clean plates from everyone.
• Customize with Endless Variations: Swap jalapenos for different peppers, experiment with cheese types, or adjust spice levels to match personal preferences and dietary needs.

What Goes In Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs

• Chicken Breasts: Large, boneless cuts that provide the main structure for this flavorful dish.

• Cream Cheese: Soft, creamy base that helps bind the stuffing ingredients together.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that adds rich, melty flavor to the chicken filling.
• Jalapenos: Spicy peppers that bring a zesty kick to the cheese mixture.
• Chives: Fresh herbs that provide a mild onion-like flavor and bright green color.

• Eggs: Binding agent that helps breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken surface.
• Breadcrumbs, Panko: Crispy coating that creates a crunchy exterior when cooked.
• Smoked Paprika: Seasoning that adds depth and smoky flavor to the breading.
• Bacon Slices: Savory wrapper that adds extra flavor and crispiness to the chicken.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the chicken.

• Toothpicks: Temporary fasteners used to secure the chicken filling and bacon.

Cooking Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs

Step 1: Butterfly Chicken Breasts

Carefully slice each chicken breast horizontally, creating a wide pocket without cutting completely through. Press the chicken open to create an even surface that will hold the delicious filling.

Step 2: Season Chicken

Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly across both sides of the butterflied chicken breasts, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.

Step 3: Create Creamy Filling

• Softened cream cheese
• Finely diced jalapenos
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped fresh chives

Blend until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and create a smooth, rich mixture.

Step 4: Stuff Chicken Breasts

Generously fill each chicken breast pocket with the jalapeno-cheese mixture. Use toothpicks to secure the opening and prevent filling from leaking during cooking.

Step 5: Prepare Breading Station

• First bowl: Whisk eggs until well combined
• Second bowl: Mix breadcrumbs, panko, and smoked paprika

Step 6: Coat Chicken

Dip each stuffed chicken breast into the whisked eggs, then roll completely in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to create an even, crispy coating.

Step 7: Wrap With Bacon

Carefully wrap each breaded chicken breast with bacon slices, slightly overlapping to ensure complete coverage.

Step 8: Prepare Smoker

Preheat smoker to 275°F. Arrange chicken bombs on the grill grate, allowing space for indirect heat circulation.

Step 9: Smoke Chicken Bombs

Smoke the chicken for 60-75 minutes. Confirm doneness by checking that internal temperature reaches 165°F and bacon appears crisp and golden.

Step 10: Rest and Serve

Remove chicken bombs from smoker. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes. Carefully remove toothpicks before serving to guests.

Tips To Nail Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs

• Butterfly with Precision: Use a sharp knife to create an even pocket in chicken breasts, avoiding tears for perfect filling distribution.
• Seal Stuffing Securely: Insert toothpicks strategically to prevent cheese mixture from leaking during smoking, ensuring a delicious and intact final result.
• Bacon Wrapping Technique: Overlap bacon slices slightly and wrap gently to create a complete coverage that crisps evenly and adds rich flavor.
• Temperature Mastery: Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature, guaranteeing safe cooking and juicy, perfectly smoked chicken bombs.
• Resting Ritual: Allow chicken bombs to rest after smoking, letting juices redistribute and making each bite tender and flavorful.

Recipe Ideas For Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs

• Jalapeño-Free Version: Replace jalapeños with roasted red peppers for a milder, sweeter stuffing that still provides interesting flavor complexity.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip breadcrumbs and use crushed pork rinds for coating, eliminating wheat-based ingredients while maintaining crispy texture.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Swap chicken for large portobello mushrooms, stuffing with same cheese mixture and using plant-based bacon substitute for similar smoky profile.
• Oven-Baked Option: Cook chicken bombs at 375°F for 25-30 minutes on a wire rack, achieving similar crispness without requiring a smoker setup.

What Pairs With Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs

• Spice Up the Pairing: Jalapeño Margarita to complement the chicken's heat and smoky bacon flavor.
• Cool Down the Palate: Creamy cucumber salad with fresh dill to balance the spicy and rich chicken bombs.
• Wine Wisdom: Crisp Riesling with slight sweetness to cut through the intense cheese and bacon elements.
• Rustic Side Kick: Grilled corn with chili-lime butter to echo the smoky and spicy profile of the main dish.

Store Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs Right

• Store leftover chicken bombs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual chicken bombs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags, preserving quality for up to 2 months.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken bombs on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Heat individual chicken bombs on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes, rotating halfway through, but be cautious as this method can make the breading less crispy.

FAQs On Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs

• What ingredients make the filling unique?

The jalapeno-cheese mixture combines cream cheese, diced jalapenos, shredded cheddar, and chives, creating a spicy and creamy stuffing that gives the chicken bombs their signature flavor.

• Why do I need to butterfly the chicken breasts?

Butterflying creates a pocket for the filling, allowing even distribution of the jalapeno-cheese mixture and ensuring each bite is packed with delicious flavor.

• How do I prevent the filling from leaking during cooking?

Use toothpicks to secure the chicken breast opening after stuffing, which helps keep the jalapeno-cheese mixture inside during the smoking process.

• What's the purpose of wrapping chicken with bacon?

Bacon adds an extra layer of flavor, helps keep the chicken moist, and creates a crispy exterior that enhances the overall texture of the chicken bombs.

Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 95 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy “smoked jalapeño popper chicken bombs” deliver an explosive culinary experience that blends creamy cheese, tender chicken, and smoky heat. Grill masters and spice enthusiasts will savor these irresistible bites packed with bold southwestern flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 jalapenos, diced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped chives

Coating/Topping:

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken breasts by carefully butterflying them open, creating a pocket for the filling while maintaining an even thickness throughout.
2. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper, ensuring uniform flavor distribution.
3. In a mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese with diced jalapenos, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped chives until thoroughly combined.
4. Generously stuff each chicken breast with the jalapeno-cheese mixture, securing the opening with toothpicks to prevent leakage during cooking.
5. Create a breading station by whisking eggs in one bowl and combining breadcrumbs, panko, and smoked paprika in another.
6. Dip each stuffed chicken breast into the beaten eggs, then coat completely with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even, crispy exterior.
7. Wrap each breaded chicken breast with bacon slices, overlapping slightly to provide complete coverage.
8. Preheat smoker to 275°F and arrange chicken bombs on the grill grate, allowing indirect heat circulation.
9. Smoke the chicken bombs for approximately 60-75 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and bacon appears crisp and golden.
10. Remove from smoker, let rest for 5-10 minutes, then carefully remove toothpicks before serving.

Notes

• Use thin chicken breasts for easier stuffing and more consistent cooking, preventing dry edges or uneven texture.
• Seed jalapenos before dicing to control heat level, allowing customization for spice-sensitive diners.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help breading adhere better and create a crispier exterior.
• Freeze cream cheese mixture briefly before stuffing to make handling and sealing chicken easier.
• Substitute turkey bacon for lower-fat option without sacrificing smoky flavor profile.
• Check bacon’s doneness separately, as it might crisp differently from chicken’s internal temperature.
• Allow extra resting time if bacon seems undercooked, ensuring safe and delicious results.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 75 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Smoking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg