Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Poppers are the savory, sweet, and spicy entrée you need at your next BBQ!

Here's what you'll need:

• Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce
• Southern Bell BBQ Seasoning
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
• Jalapeños
• Cream Cheese
• Thin Sliced Bacon

The Process

Start by making sure the cream cheese is room temperature. Then, mix in 1/3 cup Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce. You can substitute any BBQ sauce you like, but the raspberry chipotle is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy, and you really don't taste raspberries at all. If you're having trouble mixing the sauce in, I suggest using an electric mixer. Cut the jalapeños in half and remove the seeds.

On a clean cutting board, trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs. Season both sides with Southern Bell BBQ Seasoning or your favorite all-purpose seasoning.

Fill a halved jalapeño with the cream cheese mixture. Place the chicken thighs face down on the cutting board. Wrap the filled jalapeño half inside the chicken thigh. Wrap the chicken in thin sliced bacon. You'll probably need two slices per chicken popper. You can secure with toothpicks if needed.

For this recipe, we cooked the chicken poppers using a Weber Kettle and a 2-zone fire. Start by lighting a full chimney of charcoal until the coals are white hot. Pour the charcoal onto one side of the grill, leaving the other half of the grill free of any coals. This creates direct (with coals) and indirect (without coals) cooking zones. Throw a couple chunks of pecan wood into the coals. Make sure the bottom and top vents are open 50%. The goal temperature is 350-375°F. Once the grill is up to temp, place the chicken poppers on the indirect cooking side. Cover the grill with the lid, making sure the vent is over the indirect side so the smoke rolls over the chicken and out the vent. Cook for 45 minutes - 1 hour, or until the chicken poppers reach an internal temperature of 170°F and the bacon is browned nicely. Baste the tops of the chicken poppers with more Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce and let it cook covered for an additional 5 minutes so the sauce can tack up and the internal temperature reaches 175°F. 

*If cooking in the oven, set the oven to 350°F. Cook for 45 min-1hour or until chicken poppers reach an internal temperature of 170°F. Baste with Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce and bake an additional 5 minutes.