Irresistible Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers: The Ultimate Game Day & Party Appetizer Recipe
Prepare to elevate your appetizer game with these incredible Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers! Imagine the perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness, a kick of spicy buffalo flavor, and the vibrant crunch of fresh jalapeños, all in one bite-sized delight. These aren’t just any poppers; they’re a flavor sensation that will have your guests raving and coming back for more. Whether you’re hosting a lively party, cheering on your favorite team on game day, or simply craving a satisfyingly spicy snack, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.
Why These Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers Are a Must-Try
You’ve probably enjoyed classic buffalo chicken dip on its own, and traditional jalapeño poppers are undoubtedly a fantastic appetizer. But what if you could combine the best elements of both into one absolutely amazing, show-stopping recipe? Well, my friends, I’m thrilled to tell you that you can – and you absolutely should! These buffalo chicken stuffed jalapeños offer a unique twist, merging the beloved flavors of buffalo chicken wings with the irresistible allure of creamy, cheesy jalapeño poppers.
This recipe offers an unparalleled blend of textures and tastes: the crisp-tender heat of the jalapeño, the rich, smooth cream cheese filling, the savory shredded chicken, and the iconic tang and spice of buffalo sauce. It’s a true crowd-pleaser that brings excitement to any table, effortlessly transforming a simple gathering into a memorable feast. Get ready to meet your new favorite appetizer!
Looking for another tasty twist on jalapeño poppers? Don’t miss these crowd-pleasing jalapeño popper deviled eggs.
Like other beloved party foods such as fried pickles, grape jelly meatballs, and bacon spinach dip bites, these buffalo chicken stuffed jalapeño poppers are surprisingly easy to make. They are bursting with flavor, incredibly satisfying, and perfectly suited for casual enjoyment on the couch while you watch the big game, binge your favorite TV show, or simply relax with friends and family. Once you try them, you’ll understand why they’re quickly becoming a go-to recipe for any occasion.
If you’re a fan of the bold flavors in this recipe, you’ll also adore this comforting jalapeño popper chicken casserole!
Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers Ingredients: What You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards creating these sensational appetizers. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and savory flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you will need, along with some tips for choosing the best quality items:
- Jalapeños: Choose large, firm, and bright green jalapeños. These will be cut in half lengthwise, and the seeds and ribs will be scooped out. Removing the seeds and ribs is essential for controlling the heat, as most of the capsaicin (which gives peppers their spiciness) resides there. For a milder popper, ensure thorough removal; for extra heat, you can leave a few seeds.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is softened at room temperature. This is crucial for achieving a smooth, lump-free filling that mixes effortlessly with the other ingredients. Take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes to an hour before you start.
- Shredded Chicken: Cooked and shredded chicken is the heart of our buffalo chicken filling. I find that making shredded chicken in my slow cooker yields incredibly tender results, but leftover cooked chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken works perfectly and makes prep even faster. Ensure it’s finely shredded so it blends well into the creamy mixture.
- Cheese: A blend of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese offers the best of both worlds – the sharp flavor of cheddar and the gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture of mozzarella. Feel free to use either/or, or experiment with other good melting cheeses like Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend.
- Green Onion: Sliced thinly, green onion adds a fresh, mild oniony bite and a beautiful pop of color to the filling. It brightens up the rich flavors.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: This is where the signature “buffalo” flavor comes from! My personal favorite is Frank’s Red Hot for its classic taste and perfect balance of heat and tang. However, you can certainly use your favorite brand of buffalo wing sauce to customize the flavor profile to your liking.
- Ranch Dressing: Ranch dressing adds another layer of creaminess and helps to mellow out the spice of the buffalo sauce, providing that classic buffalo-ranch pairing. If you’re a fan of blue cheese, it works equally well and provides a sharper, more pungent contrast.
- Garlic Powder: A touch of garlic powder enhances all the savory flavors in the filling, adding depth and warmth without overpowering the other ingredients.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Jalapeño Peppers: Simple Steps to Deliciousness
You’ll be delighted to know that creating these incredibly flavorful buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers is much easier than you might think. This jalapeño appetizer recipe is straightforward, requiring minimal fuss for maximum impact. Let’s walk through the simple steps to prepare these irresistible bites:
- Prepare Your Oven and Jalapeños: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats, carefully prepare your jalapeños. Using gloves (a critical safety tip!), slice each large jalapeño in half lengthwise. Then, use a small spoon to scoop out all the seeds and white ribs from the inside. This step is crucial for controlling the heat level of your poppers.
- Make the Buffalo Chicken Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded chicken, shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced green onion, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing (or blue cheese), and garlic powder. Mix all these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and the mixture is smooth and evenly distributed.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon a generous amount of the buffalo chicken filling into each hollowed-out jalapeño half. You want to mound the filling slightly to create a satisfying bite. Arrange the stuffed jalapeño halves in a single layer on a baking sheet. You might need two baking sheets, depending on the size of your peppers and sheets.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking sheet(s) into your preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. The poppers are ready when the filling is bubbly, the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden, and the jalapeños have softened slightly to a tender-crisp texture.
Serve these delectable Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers warm, allowing the creamy, cheesy, and spicy flavors to shine. Get ready for a taste explosion!
Recipe Tips & Variations for Perfect Poppers Every Time
To ensure your buffalo chicken jalapeño poppers are absolutely perfect and to cater to various tastes, consider these expert tips and delightful variations:
- Safety First When Handling Peppers: Jalapeños can contain capsaicin, which can irritate skin and eyes. Always wear gloves when cutting, seeding, and handling the peppers. And please, whatever you do, do not touch your eyes or face until you’ve thoroughly washed your hands!
- How to Store Leftovers: While these poppers are undeniably best served warm and fresh out of the oven, you can store any leftover buffalo chicken poppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
- Prep Ahead for Stress-Free Entertaining: Want to get a head start? You can easily make the filling and stuff the jalapeños up to 24 hours ahead of time. Simply arrange them on a baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and pop them in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just uncover and bake as directed.
- Customize the Heat Level: The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability. Adjust the level of spiciness to your taste by adding more or less buffalo hot sauce. If you prefer a milder popper, ensure all seeds and white ribs are meticulously removed. For an extra kick, you can leave a few seeds in some of the jalapeño halves.
- Serve with Dipping Sauces: Enhance the experience by serving your poppers with additional ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping. You can also drizzle a little extra over the top of each popper just before serving for an extra layer of flavor and presentation.
- The Ultimate Cheesy Crust: For those who believe there’s no such thing as too much cheese, sprinkle an additional ¼ cup of your favorite shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella work wonderfully) over the stuffed jalapeño peppers right before baking. This will create a thick, golden, and utterly delicious cheesy crust on top.
- For Bacon Lovers: Elevate these poppers to a new level of indulgence by topping them with crumbled cooked bacon before baking. The salty, smoky crunch of bacon perfectly complements the creamy, spicy filling.
- Achieve Extra Crispness: If you love a slightly crisper jalapeño, after baking, you can place the poppers under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, keeping a very close eye on them to prevent burning. This will crisp up the cheese topping beautifully.
- Air Fryer Method: For a quicker cooking time and a slightly crispier finish, you can also prepare these in an air fryer. Place stuffed poppers in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
More Buffalo Chicken Favorites You’ll Adore
If you’ve fallen in love with these buffalo chicken poppers and crave more of that irresistible flavor combination, I bet you would also enjoy our buffalo chicken cheese balls and our comforting buffalo chicken mac and cheese recipe! They bring that same zesty, creamy goodness in different and equally delicious forms.
Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers
Author: Jaclyn
Ingredients
- 15 large jalapenos halved and seeded
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella or cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 green onion sliced
- ½ cup hot sauce
- ¼ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 375 F (190°C).
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In a large bowl, mix well to combine all of the ingredients (cream cheese, shredded chicken, cheeses, green onion, hot sauce, ranch, garlic powder) except the jalapenos. Ensure the mixture is smooth.
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Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture generously into each halved and seeded jalapeno. Arrange them on a baking sheet.
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Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the filling has started to bubble and turn golden, and the jalapenos have softened slightly. Serve warm.
Notes
Store any leftover poppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat gently in the oven or air fryer for best results.
For a thick cheese crust, sprinkle an additional ¼ cup of shredded cheese over the stuffed peppers before baking.
Franks Red Hot is my preferred hot sauce, but you can use any brand you like. You can also add the hot sauce to taste if you’d like a milder or spicier popper. Remember to wear gloves when handling jalapeños to prevent skin irritation.
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