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Several golden-brown Jalapeño Popper Twists artfully arranged on a platter.

Spicy BBQ Chicken Jalapeño Popper Twists

These Spicy BBQ Chicken Jalapeño Popper Twists are a delicious appetizer featuring jalapeño halves filled with a creamy, cheesy, and smoky BBQ chicken mixture, then baked or air-fried until golden and bubbly.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 10-12 medium to large size fresh jalapeños
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
  • 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
  • * Olive oil or cooking spray
  • * Ranch dressing or lime crema (Optional) for serving

Equipment

  • gloves
  • small spoon
  • medium bowl
  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Wash and halve the jalapeños, then remove seeds and membrane using gloves to reduce heat.
  2. In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cooked chicken, BBQ sauce, and smoked gouda, mixing until smooth.
  3. Generously fill each jalapeño half with the chicken and cheese mixture, avoiding overfilling.
Cooking
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) or air fryer as per instructions, then arrange filled jalapeños on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in the air fryer basket.
  2. Bake for 15-25 minutes or air fry for 10-18 minutes until tender and golden brown, adjusting time based on jalapeño size and appliance.
  3. Allow the poppers to cool slightly before serving as they will be very hot, optionally with ranch dressing or lime crema.

Notes

For extra crispiness, you can lightly brush the jalapeños with olive oil before cooking. Adjust the amount of BBQ sauce to your preference for a sweeter or spicier kick. These poppers are also great with bacon wrapped around them before baking or air frying, for an added layer of flavor and texture.