Recipes

Smoky Cheesy Jalapeno Chicken Rolls

Ingredients:

  • 10 thin boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 pound hot Italian sausage
  • 6 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • ⅓ cup sliced green onions
  • 10 jalapeños
  • 36 ounces of bacon (3 packs)
  • 2 tablespoons Slap Ya Mama Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • BBQ sauce for brushing

Directions:

  1. Preheat the smoker:
    • Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
  2. Prepare the filling:
    • In a bowl, combine hot Italian sausage, cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions until well mixed.
  3. Prepare the jalapeños:
    • Cut off the ends of the jalapeños, slice them lengthwise, and remove the seeds. Stuff each jalapeño with the sausage mixture.
  4. Prepare the chicken:
    • Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Season them with Slap Ya Mama seasoning and black pepper.
  5. Assemble the rolls:
    • Place a stuffed jalapeño on each chicken breast. Roll up the chicken breast around the jalapeño and wrap it with bacon, securing it with toothpicks.
  6. Smoke the rolls:
    • Arrange the chicken rolls on the grill grates of the smoker. Smoke them for about 4 hours, flipping halfway through the cooking time.
  7. Add BBQ sauce:
    • Brush the smoked rolls with BBQ sauce and continue to cook for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
  8. Serve and enjoy:
    • Once cooked through, remove the rolls from the smoker and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

These rolls are sure to be a hit with their smoky, cheesy, and spicy flavors!

Achieving the perfect Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls involves paying attention to detail and technique throughout the cooking process. Here are some key tips to ensure they turn out delicious:

Preparation:

  1. Choose Quality Ingredients:
    • Use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts, bacon, cheeses, and fresh jalapeños for the best flavor.
  2. Prepare Jalapeños Carefully:
    • Remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños to control the level of spiciness. Wear gloves to avoid irritation from the jalapeño oils.
  3. Soak Toothpicks:
    • Soak toothpicks in water for about 30 minutes before using them to secure the bacon around the chicken rolls. This prevents them from burning during smoking.

Filling and Assembly:

  1. Balanced Filling:
    • Ensure the filling mixture of hot Italian sausage, cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, and green onions is well combined for even distribution of flavors.
  2. Even Chicken Thickness:
    • Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet. This ensures even cooking and helps the rolls hold their shape.
  3. Wrap Securely:
    • Wrap each stuffed jalapeño tightly in the seasoned chicken breast and then wrap with bacon. Secure with soaked toothpicks to hold everything together.

Smoking Process:

  1. Stable Temperature:
    • Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) and maintain this temperature throughout the cooking process for even smoking.
  2. Indirect Heat:
    • Place the chicken rolls on the grill grates away from direct heat to ensure the bacon cooks evenly without burning.
  3. Flip and Rotate:
    • Flip the rolls halfway through the cooking time to ensure even smoking and browning on all sides.
  4. Internal Temperature:
    • Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) to ensure they are fully cooked.

Finishing Touches:

  1. BBQ Sauce Application:
    • Brush the smoked rolls with BBQ sauce during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking. This adds flavor and helps keep the chicken moist.
  2. Rest Before Serving:
    • Allow the cooked rolls to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps redistribute juices and ensures they are easier to handle.

Presentation:

  1. Slice and Serve:
    • Remove toothpicks carefully before slicing the rolls into attractive portions. Serve them hot with your favorite sides.
  2. Garnish:
    • Consider garnishing with chopped green onions or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for added visual appeal and flavor.

Tips for Variations:

  1. Mild Version:
    • For a milder version, use mild Italian sausage and mild cheddar cheese, or reduce the amount of jalapeños used.
  2. Customize Seasonings:
    • Adjust the seasoning blend to your preference, ensuring it complements the smoky, cheesy, and spicy flavors of the dish.
  3. Alternative Cooking Methods:
    • If you don’t have a smoker, you can bake the rolls in the oven at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) until cooked through, then finish with BBQ sauce.

Storage and Reheating:

  1. Freezing Instructions:
    • Once cooled, freeze any leftovers in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
  2. Reheating:
    • Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until heated through to maintain the flavors and textures.
  3. Enjoy the Process:
    • Cooking Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls is a labor of love. Enjoy the process and experiment with different variations to suit your taste preferences.

By paying attention to these details and techniques, you’ll be able to achieve perfectly smoky, cheesy, and flavorful Jalapeño Chicken Rolls that are sure to impress your guest.

Certainly! Here are 20 common questions and their answers related to Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls:

  1. What are Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls?
    • Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls are chicken breasts stuffed with a mixture of hot Italian sausage, cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, and green onions, wrapped in bacon and smoked to perfection.
  2. How do you make Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls?
    • To make them, you stuff jalapeños with a sausage and cheese mixture, wrap them in seasoned chicken breasts, wrap those in bacon, then smoke them until cooked through.
  3. What kind of cheese is used in Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls?
    • Sharp cheddar cheese is typically used in the filling mixture to add a rich and tangy flavor.
  4. Can I use mild Italian sausage instead of hot in this recipe?
    • Yes, you can substitute mild Italian sausage if you prefer less spiciness.
  5. How long do you smoke Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls?
    • They are smoked for about 4 hours at 250 degrees F (120 degrees C), flipping halfway through the cooking time for even smoking.
  6. Can you prepare Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls ahead of time?
    • Yes, you can prepare them up to the point of smoking, then refrigerate them until ready to smoke.
  7. Do you need to soak toothpicks before using them in this recipe?
    • It’s a good idea to soak toothpicks in water for about 30 minutes before using them to secure the bacon around the chicken rolls. This prevents them from burning during smoking.
  8. Can you bake Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls instead of smoking them?
    • Yes, you can bake them in the oven at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30-35 minutes, then brush with BBQ sauce and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
  9. What BBQ sauce is best for brushing Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls?
    • Use your favorite BBQ sauce. Sweet and smoky flavors complement the dish well.
  10. How do you know when Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls are done?
    • The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) when they are fully cooked.
  11. Can you freeze Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls?
    • Yes, you can freeze them after they are fully cooked. Allow them to cool, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
  12. What sides go well with Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls?
    • They pair well with sides like coleslaw, cornbread, grilled vegetables, or a green salad.
  13. Are Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls spicy?
    • They have a bit of spice from the jalapeños and hot Italian sausage, but you can adjust the spice level by using mild sausage or removing the seeds from the jalapeños.
  14. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
    • Yes, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. Adjust cooking times as needed.
  15. How do you prevent Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls from drying out?
    • Wrapping them in bacon helps keep the chicken moist during smoking. You can also baste them with BBQ sauce during cooking.
  16. What temperature should the smoker be set at for Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls?
    • Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C) for smoking these rolls.
  17. Can you cook Smoky Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken Rolls on a gas grill?
    • Yes, you can cook them on a gas grill with indirect heat at a similar temperature as in the smoker.
  18. How many rolls should I make per person?
    • Plan on serving 1-2 rolls per person depending on the size of the rolls and what else you are serving.
  19. What can I substitute for jalapeños if I want a milder version?
    • Substitute with mini sweet peppers or omit the peppers altogether for a milder version.
  20. Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?
    • Yes, you can use turkey bacon as a leaner option, though the flavor and texture may differ slightly from regular bacon.