Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers Baked in the Oven
Spice up your next gathering with these oven baked, bacon-wrapped jalapeño chicken poppers. These classic appetizers are one of our favorites. Creamy and filling with just enough spice. Don't let the word 'jalapeño' scare you off! These 'secret ingredient' appetizers strike a perfect balance between heat and creamy indulgence for a flavorful, savory treat you'll be proud to serve.
Ingredients
- 12 medium jalapenos
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup cooked chicken shredded (finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon tequila (or lime juice)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 slices thinly sliced bacon (cut in half)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400º. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray a wire rack and place inside the pan.
- Cut peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, chicken, cilantro, tequila and salt. Spoon 1-2 teaspoons of mixture into the peppers. Wrap each with ½ of a slice of bacon. (If using thick bacon, you may need to secure with a toothpick) Place on the rack in the prepared pan.
- Bake for about 25 minutes until bacon looks crispy. If using thick sliced bacon, places under broiler for a couple of minutes to crisp the bacon. Let stand for a few minutes before serving
Barbara's Notes + Tips
- Secure the bacon with toothpicks if you are using thick sliced bacon.
- Room temperature cream cheese will make a smoother filling with fewer lumps. Set it on the counter for about 30 minutes before you begin to make your cream cheese mixture or try this quick way to soften cream cheese.
- These can be served warm, but they're also delicious at room temperature, so this is a great recipe for an appetizer table.
Nutrition
Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 180mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 211IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.1mg