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Smoked Chicken Bombs

by Justin Segelstrom

These are like jalapeño poppers taken to the next level. Cream cheese and cheddar-stuffed peppers wrapped in seasoned chicken thighs, then bacon, then smoked until juicy and glazed with BBQ sauce. They were a hit at my house.

Ingredients

  • 6 large jalapeños
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp BBQ rub
  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt and pepper
  • 12 slices of bacon
  • BBQ sauce for glazing

Instructions

  1. Cut stems off the jalapeños and core them.
  2. Mix cream cheese, cheddar, and BBQ rub. Stuff mixture into the peppers.
  3. Pound out chicken thighs and season lightly. Wrap each pepper in a chicken thigh.
  4. Wrap each bomb with 2 slices of bacon. Use toothpicks to secure if needed.
  5. Smoke at 250–275°F for 2 to 2½ hours, until internal temp reaches 165°F.
  6. Brush with BBQ sauce during the last hour and let it caramelize.
  7. Rest briefly before serving. Slicing into these is almost too pretty to eat—almost.