Sizzling Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs Recipe For Dinner
Spice hunters rejoice as these smoked jalapeño popper chicken bombs deliver a flavor explosion that will tantalize your taste buds.
Crispy, creamy, and packed with heat, this recipe combines the best elements of classic jalapeño poppers with juicy chicken.
Tender chicken breasts get stuffed with a dreamy cream cheese mixture that melts into pure deliciousness.
Jalapeños add a sharp kick while bacon wrapping ensures every bite is crisp and indulgent.
The smoking process infuses each chicken bomb with a rich, smoky depth that elevates the entire dish.
Perfectly balanced between creamy, spicy, and smoky, these chicken bombs promise to be the star of any gathering.
Prepare to transform your next meal into an unforgettable culinary adventure that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs: Why You’ll Love These Bites
What Goes Into Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs
Protein Base:Stuffing Components:Spicy and Flavor Enhancers:Additional Components:Essential Tools for Popper Chicken Bombs
How to Prepare Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs
Step 1: Fire Up The Smoker
Get your smoker ready by heating it to a steady 250F.
This temperature will slowly cook the chicken and infuse a deep, rich smoky essence into every delicious bite.
Step 2: Create Flavor Explosion
In a mixing bowl, combine these mouthwatering ingredients:Blend these components until they form a creamy, spicy mixture that will make taste buds dance.
Step 3: Tame The Peppers
Slice jalapeños lengthwise and carefully remove their seeds.
This helps control the heat level while keeping the pepper’s vibrant flavor intact.
Step 4: Stuff Those Peppers
Generously fill each jalapeño half with the sausage and cheese mixture.
Don’t hold back – make every pepper a flavor-packed gem.
Step 5: Prepare Chicken Canvas
Lay chicken breasts flat and sprinkle with Slap Ya Mama Seasoning and black pepper.
These will become your flavor carriers.
Step 6: Roll And Wrap
Place a stuffed jalapeño on each chicken breast and roll tightly.
Each roll is like a flavor package waiting to be unwrapped.
Step 7: Bacon Blanket
Lovingly wrap each chicken roll with bacon strips.
Secure with toothpicks to keep everything snug and secure.
Step 8: Smoky Transformation
Position chicken bombs on smoker grates.
Let them smoke for approximately 4 hours, rotating midway to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor development.
Step 9: Glaze Magic
During the final 20-30 minutes, brush the chicken bombs with BBQ sauce.
This adds a sweet and tangy finish that will make everyone’s mouth water.
Step 10: Safety First
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165F.
This ensures perfectly cooked, safe-to-eat chicken bombs bursting with flavor.
Tips for Extra Smoky, Flavorful Chicken Bombs
Chicken Bomb Variations to Change Things Up
Serving Smoked Popper Chicken Bombs for Any Gathering
Storing Chicken Bombs for the Best Texture
FAQs
The heat level depends on the jalapeños. Removing seeds reduces spiciness, but the hot Italian sausage adds a kick. You can control the heat by selecting milder or spicier jalapeños.
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chorizo, or ground beef work great. Each meat brings its own unique flavor profile to the chicken bombs.
No worries! You can use an oven at 250F. The cooking time remains similar, but you’ll miss the smoky flavor. Consider adding liquid smoke or using a grill for similar results.
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Smoked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Bombs Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Spicy smoked jalapeño popper chicken bombs combine creamy cheese and smoky heat in a delightful appetizer. Guests will savor the rich flavors and crave seconds at your next gathering.
Ingredients
Meat:
- 10 thin boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 pound (454 grams) hot Italian sausage
- 36 ounces (1020 grams) bacon (3 packs)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese
- 1.5 cups (170 grams) sharp cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Produce:
- 10 jalapenos
- 1/3 cup (53 grams) sliced green onions
- 2 tablespoons Slap Ya Mama Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- BBQ sauce for brushing
Instructions
- Prepare the smoker at 250F to establish a robust, aromatic smoking environment for the chicken bombs.
- Combine hot Italian sausage, cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and green onions in a mixing bowl, creating a rich, flavorful stuffing mixture.
- Trim jalapeno ends, slice lengthwise, and meticulously remove seeds to control spice intensity.
- Generously fill each jalapeno half with the prepared sausage-cheese blend, ensuring complete coverage.
- Arrange chicken breasts on parchment-lined surface, generously seasoning with Slap Ya Mama and black pepper for enhanced flavor profile.
- Position a stuffed jalapeno at the edge of each chicken breast, carefully rolling to encase the filling completely.
- Envelop each chicken roll with bacon strips, securing tightly with toothpicks to maintain structural integrity.
- Transfer chicken bombs to smoker grates, allowing them to smoke for approximately 4 hours, rotating midway to guarantee uniform cooking and smoke penetration.
- During the final 20-30 minutes, liberally apply BBQ sauce, creating a caramelized, glossy exterior that adds complexity to the flavor.
- Verify internal temperature reaches 165F, ensuring both safety and optimal doneness before serving.
Notes
- Customize Heat Level By removing seeds and membranes from jalapeños, you can control the spiciness for sensitive palates or kids.
- Balance Flavors Choose a smoky BBQ sauce that complements the rich, creamy stuffing and enhances the overall taste profile.
- Prep Ahead Assemble chicken bombs a day before smoking to let flavors meld and simplify day-of cooking process.
- Alternative Cooking Methods When smoker isn’t available, bake chicken bombs in a 350F oven for 45-50 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Lena Martinez
Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach
Education
Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices
Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.