Save Last Super Bowl, my friend Sarah brought these to the party and literally nobody touched the store-bought veggie platter. The way the blue cheese gets all melty and bubbly inside the peppers while the edges char slightly, it creates this perfect contrast of cool and heat that makes you reach for just one more, every single time.
I learned the hard way that you cannot skip wearing gloves when handling those jalapeños, even if you think your hands are tough. Ended up with burning fingers for hours that night, but honestly, watching everyone crowd around the platter, grabbing the last ones before they even hit the serving tray, made it worth every slightly spicy second.
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Ingredients
- 8 large jalapeño peppers: Pick ones with smooth, shiny skins and straight bodies for easier stuffing
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken breast: Rotisserie chicken works beautifully here, saving you precious prep time
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese: The funky creaminess balances the heat perfectly
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened: Acts as the binder that keeps everything luxuriously smooth
- 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce: Frank's RedHot is classic, but find your favorite level of heat
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder and onion powder: These build that savory wing flavor foundation
- 1/8 teaspoon salt and black pepper: Just enough to wake up all the other flavors
- 2 tablespoons blue cheese, crumbled: Fresh on top for that restaurant-style finish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions: Adds a bright pop of color and mild onion flavor
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Instructions
- Get your oven ready:
- Preheat to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup
- Prep the peppers:
- Cut jalapeños in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and white membranes, saving your fingers by wearing gloves
- Make the filling:
- Mix the chicken, blue cheese, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined
- Stuff the peppers:
- Mound the filling generously into each jalapeño half, pressing gently so it stays put
- Bake to perfection:
- Arrange on the prepared sheet and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the peppers are tender and the filling is bubbling
- Finish and serve:
- Drizzle with extra buffalo sauce and top with crumbled blue cheese and chives while still hot
Save My brother-in-law, who claims he hates blue cheese in every form, accidentally ate five of these before realizing what was in them. Now he specifically requests them for every family gathering, which is pretty much the highest compliment a recipe can get in our house.
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Making Ahead For Game Day
You can stuff these peppers up to 24 hours in advance, keeping them covered in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time since they'll be cold going into the oven.
Customizing Your Heat Level
If you're serving a crowd that can't handle much spice, remove all the membranes and seeds, then give the peppers a quick ice water bath before stuffing. For the brave souls who want maximum fire, leave a few membranes intact in some of the poppers.
Serving Suggestions That Wow
Set up a mini wing bar with celery sticks, carrot rounds, and both ranch and extra blue cheese for dipping. These disappear faster than you'd believe at parties.
- Double the recipe because these will vanish shockingly fast
- Keep paper towels nearby because the buffalo drizzle can get messy
- Pair with an ice cold beer to cut through the richness
Save Something magical happens when that buffalo sauce hits the hot filling, creating these little rivers of spicy goodness that run through every bite. Perfect for sharing, but totally acceptable to keep all to yourself.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How can I make these poppers less spicy?
To reduce the heat, you can soak the deseeded jalapeño halves in cold water for about 30 minutes before filling. Removing all seeds and membranes thoroughly also helps significantly.
- → Can I substitute the blue cheese with another type of cheese?
Absolutely! While blue cheese provides a classic flavor pairing, you can substitute it with crumbled feta, cheddar cheese, or even a ranch dressing mixture if blue cheese isn't preferred.
- → What are some good additions to the popper filling?
For extra flavor, consider adding cooked and crumbled bacon bits to the chicken and cheese mixture. Some people also enjoy a touch of finely diced celery for added crunch and texture.
- → How should I serve these Buffalo poppers?
These are best served warm, straight from the oven. They pair wonderfully with celery sticks and an extra side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
- → Can these be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the poppers up to a day in advance. Store them uncooked in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then bake them just before serving. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- → Are these suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Yes, as prepared, these poppers are gluten-free. Always double-check the labels of your buffalo sauce to ensure it doesn't contain any hidden gluten-containing ingredients.
