The Ultimate Texas Jalapeno Bacon Party Popper

Planning a Memorial Day picnic or party? Texans love nothing more than bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers! This jalapeno bacon popper recipe combines spicy peppers, cream cheese, and bacon with a unique taste of chicken. This recipe will satisfy all the people at your Memorial Day picnic or party. Great cooked in the oven, even better cooked on the grill!  This ultimate Texas party popper will have your guests coming back for more! For those who don’t like their poppers hot, try mini sweet peppers for a truly unique taste.

Jalapeno Bacon Party Poppers

INGREDIENTS:

12 medium jalapeno peppers

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup finely chopped cooked chicken

2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

12 hickory-smoked bacon slices

24 wooden toothpicks

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut each jalapeno pepper in half lengthwise and remove seeds. (Note: BE CAREFUL NOT TO RUB YOUR EYES afterwards!) Stir together cream cheese, chicken, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Spoon 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons of chicken mixture into each pepper half, spreading to fill cavity.  Wrap each half with a bacon piece, and secure with wooden toothpick. Place popper on a lightly greased wire rack in aluminum foil-lined rimmed backing sheet.  Bake in preheated oven about 25 minutes. Increase oven temperature to broil, and broil until bacon is crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Also great grilled!

Recipe by Southern Living Magazine, May 2016