Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken

I think about the flavors of a jalapeno popper quiet a bit. There is something about the creaminess, spiciness, and texture of jalapeno poppers that I truly love.  So I had to scratch that itch. Our garden is booming right now and I’m not going to lie, I love it. In that garden lies three nice bushes of jalapeno peppers and that is what set me off to make these jalapeno popper stuffed chicken breasts on the grill.

These are super easy to make and gosh are they ever great. It’s everything I wanted and love about a jalapeno popper but with the added protein, and deliciousness of a grilled chicken breast. I use about one jalapeno pepper per chicken breast, but you go with what you want.

Lets get started.

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast, boneless and skinless
• 1/3 cup cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 jalapeno pepper, grilled until softened, seeds and stems removed, sliced
• salt and pepper, to taste
• drizzle of oil
• 2 toothpicks

Start by heating your grill. I use charcoal. You do you. You can even bake these if you desire. Heck you could even dredge in flour, egg, and breadcrumb and fry or bake them as well but it’s grilling season and that’s what I defaulted to (the fried version now sounds yummy as well but… ).

While the grill is heating, take the chicken breast, and using your knife begin to butterfly the breast. Once the breast is open, slather on the cream cheese, and add the slices of jalapeno pepper. Take a toothpick and secure each end of the chicken breast to help enclose the cheese and peppers.

Season both sides with salt and pepper and give a drizzle of oil to lightly coat the breast.

Once the grill is ready, add the chicken breast over direct heat. Cook for about 5-6 minutes on one side then lift and rotate it about 45 degrees to get those nice grill marks. Cook an addition 3-4 minutes on the same side. Flip and cook another 3-5 minutes.  Move the chicken to indirect heat, cover, and cook until the chicken is fully cooked. Depending on the size of your chicken breast, it may already be done. Don’t worry if some of the cheese runs out because some of it will and some cheese running out should be the least of your worries in 2020.

I serve the jalapeno popper stuffed chicken breast with warm flour tortillas and a small, simple salad, but again you do you.

The end result is perfectly cooked chicken that when sliced into yields an ultra creamy and slightly spicy concoction that will blow your mind. Not only that but when you fold some slices of it into a warm, flour tortilla, well it takes you to another level. Not only did I approve but my wife and kids were blown away by the comfort and flavor. Hope you enjoy!