Spicy Buffalo Wing Poppers (Printable Version)

Jalapeños stuffed with buffalo chicken, blue cheese, and cream cheese, baked to perfection for game day.

# What You'll Need:

→ Peppers

01 - 8 large jalapeño peppers

→ Filling

02 - 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast
03 - 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
04 - 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
05 - 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce, plus extra for drizzling
06 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/8 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

→ Topping

10 - 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese for garnish
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - Halve the jalapeños lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes using a small spoon or knife. Wear gloves for safety when handling.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, blue cheese, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well blended and uniform.
04 - Fill each jalapeño half generously with the chicken mixture using a spoon or small spatula, pressing gently to ensure filling is compact.
05 - Arrange stuffed jalapeño halves on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until peppers are tender and the filling is bubbling at the edges.
07 - Remove from oven. Drizzle extra buffalo sauce over the poppers and sprinkle with additional crumbled blue cheese and fresh chives or green onions.
08 - Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm with celery sticks and additional dipping sauce on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They deliver all the bold flavors of buffalo wings without the mess of sauce all over your hands and face.
  • The creamy blue cheese filling cools down the jalapeño heat just enough to keep you coming back for another bite.
  • They come together fast enough for weeknight cravings but look impressive enough for any party spread.
  • You can adjust the spice level easily by choosing smaller or larger peppers and controlling the buffalo sauce.
02 -
  • Wear gloves when handling jalapeños or wash your hands immediately after, because I once rubbed my eye an hour later and learned that lesson the painful way.
  • Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before mixing, or you'll end up with lumps no amount of stirring will fix.
  • Don't overbake them or the peppers will turn mushy and lose their structure, which makes them hard to pick up and eat.
03 -
  • Use a small spoon or a piping bag to fill the peppers neatly and quickly, especially if you're making a big batch for a party.
  • If blue cheese isn't your thing, swap it for shredded cheddar or a drizzle of ranch dressing mixed into the filling for a milder, creamier bite.
  • Toss in some cooked, crumbled bacon with the chicken mixture for a smoky, salty twist that takes these poppers over the top.
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