Save The first time I brought these to a Super Bowl party, my friend Jake stood by the platter and literally ate half of them before anyone else arrived. He kept muttering something about just taste testing between sips of his beer. By kickoff I had to make an emergency second batch, and honestly? That is when I knew this recipe was a keeper.
Last winter my sister texted me at midnight demanding the recipe after having them at my place weeks earlier. She had tried recreating them from memory but something was missing. I walked her through the blue cheese to cream cheese ratio over the phone, and now she makes them for every family birthday.
Ingredients
- 8 large jalapeño peppers: Pick ones with straight walls so they sit flat and hold more filling
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken breast: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly here and saves time
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese: The funkier the better, it balances the heat beautifully
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened: This binds everything together into a scoopable filling
- 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce: Franks RedHot is classic but any brand you love works
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds depth without the raw bite of fresh garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder: Sweet savory background note that ties it together
- 1/8 teaspoon salt: Just enough to enhance without overpowering
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper: Freshly cracked adds a little aromatic warmth
- 2 tablespoons blue cheese, crumbled: Extra on top creates those gorgeous crispy bits
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives: Bright pop of color and mild onion flavor
Instructions
- Preheat your oven:
- Crank it to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup later
- Prep the peppers:
- Cut jalapeños in half lengthwise and scrape out all seeds and membranes wearing gloves to protect your hands
- Make the filling:
- Mix shredded chicken, blue cheese, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper until combined
- Stuff them up:
- Pile the chicken mixture into each jalapeño half, mounding it slightly on top
- Arrange and bake:
- Place stuffed peppers on your prepared sheet and bake 18 to 20 minutes until tender and bubbly
- Finish and serve:
- Drizzle with extra buffalo sauce then sprinkle with additional blue cheese and chives while still hot
Save My dad claims he does not like spicy food but at Thanksgiving he kept gravitating toward the kitchen, grabbing one popper every time he walked through. Eventually he just grabbed a plate and admitted he had eaten eight. Now he requests them specifically instead of the usual vegetable tray.
Making Ahead
You can stuff the peppers up to a day in advance and keep them covered in the fridge. Just add a couple minutes to the baking time since they will be cold going into the oven.
Heat Management
Some jalapeños are spicier than others no matter what the size says. I have learned to taste a tiny piece of the membrane while prepping so I know what I am working with that day.
Serving Suggestions
Celery sticks and extra blue cheese dressing on the side turn these into a full meal. A cold beer or ranch dipping sauce helps anyone who needs to cool down between bites.
- Set out extra napkins because these get messy fast
- Double the recipe if you are feeding more than four people
- Let them cool for five minutes so the filling sets slightly
Save Watch these vanish from the plate and keep the recipe handy because people will be asking for it. Enjoy every spicy, creamy bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → How can I reduce the heat of these poppers?
To make the poppers milder, you can soak the halved, deseeded jalapeños in cold water for about 30 minutes before filling. This helps to draw out some of the capsaicin, which is responsible for the pepper's heat.
- → Can I prepare Buffalo Wing Poppers in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the poppers up to a day ahead. Store the unbaked, filled jalapeños in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bake just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- → What are good serving suggestions for these poppers?
These poppers are fantastic on their own. For a complete appetizer spread, serve them with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and a side of ranch or extra blue cheese dressing for dipping. They're also perfect for game day platters.
- → Are there any alternative cheeses I can use?
Absolutely! While blue cheese provides a classic tang, you can substitute it with other creamy or melty cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a ranch-flavored cream cheese for a different profile.
- → Are these poppers gluten-free?
As presented, these Buffalo Wing Poppers are gluten-free, using naturally gluten-free ingredients. However, it's always recommended to double-check the labels of your buffalo sauce and any other packaged ingredients to ensure they don't contain hidden gluten.