Protein Packed Jalapeño Poppers

Protein Packed Jalapeño Poppers

So with all of the summer parties that are in full swing I thought it would be nice to make an easy, healthy and fun appetizer! It is hard to create something that is equally meaty, cheesy and healthy all in the same bite-size finger licking goodie….but it can be done friends…it can be done. I took a few different Jalapeño Popper recipes and cut this, added that, subbed this, adjusted that and it has kick, it is salty, it is cheesy, it is meaty, it is guilt free and gosh darn it, it’s pretty goodJ! Let’s get our Crystal Light Mojitos in hand and hit the grill for some fun in the sun summer grillin’!!!

Skinny Grocery List:

6 Large Jalapeños (We need our Vitamin C!!!)

4oz Soft Goat Cheese (Room Temperature)

4oz Jennie-O 99/1 Lean Turkey

16oz Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Tbsp. Garlic Salt

1 Tbsp. Dried Chopped Onion

1 Tbsp. Tapatío (Spice it up!)

Don't forget your non-stick spray ;)
Jennie-O 99/1, 6 Large Jalapeños, 16oz Chicken Breast Strips or Whole Breast
Tapatío, Chopped Onions (Dried), Goat Cheese, Garlic Powder or Salt

FFFF “Fun Food Fitness Facts”:  According to recent Studies at Thailand’s Mahidol University taking in 5g of Chili pepper experienced an increase in metabolism! YAY!!! Bring on the Spicy Food!!!!

Prep and Grilling Tools:

Outdoor Grill (You can bake these as well – I will put an option in your Directions)

15-20 Toothpicks (Drink garnish skewers work too…it is summer time and we all have these on hand *Wink *Wink)

Paring Knife

Non-Stick Skillet

Pam

Small Mixing Bowl

Tongs (To turn our Poppers for even cooking)

Plate

Measuring Spoons

Food Scale (Remember measuring is so important! ♥)

Cutting Board

Spatula or Spoon (Mix and Portion)

Grill it or Bake it!!!

Directions to Grilled Goodness:

Clean each chicken breast so all fat and skin is removed

Cut and weigh into 1oz strips

Marinate Chicken in 1 Tbsp. Tapatío, ¼ Cup of water, 1 Tbsp. of Garlic, Place in a baggie for 24 Hours (Optional)

-          If you do not marinate your chicken just season your chicken with 1 Tbsp. of garlic and you can brush it with the Tapatío if you so choose J

Set chicken aside after it is prepped and seasoned.

Spray your Medium skillet with PAM (Less on the Pan is more in our BelliesJ)

In the Skillet sauté 4oz of Jennie-O Ground Turkey ( I cook the whole Package and use the rest for my other meals) Note**Weigh the turkey after it is cooked to get the most accurate measurement

While turkey is cooking weigh out 4oz of goat cheese and place in your mixing bowl

Add 1 Tbsp. minced onion

When turkey is fully cooked (No Pink) add to your mixing bowl

1) Spray Your Pan and Saute Turkey 2) Weigh Your Cheese
3) Add Cheese and Onions to Bowl 4) Add Turkey and Mix Well

Stir until all ingredients are evenly mixed

Turn on your grill so it can heat up J (Don’t forget to brush it off so it’s clean clean clean)

Rinse all of your Jalapeños, Cut of the top (Stem side) and cut along the long end, Clear all seeds so your jalapeño is hallow (See Pictorial)

1) Cut of Top 2) Slice Down the Long Side
3) Cut around the edge of the top and inside edge as well
4) Dig your fingers in clear all seeds
**NOTE: I suggest using gloves to protect your skin

Set Jalapeños aside

Take a heaping spoonful of your cheese and turkey mixture and stuff each pepper

After all the peppers are stuffed wrap each pepper with 2-3 1oz strip of Chicken and secure with a tooth pick  …this is difficult so be patient, positive and determined haha (See Pictorial)

1) Stuff Your Pepper 2) Cut Chicken into 1 oz Strips
3) Star with covering the top of the pepper and secure
4) Wrap downward along cut edge and around, Secure

5) Wrap around pinning chicken with toothpicks as your go
6) Pin end of each piece to the begining of the next
7) Finished Product 8) Pepper will show through...No worries :)

Turn Grill down to medium heat and stand back and spray your grill with non-stick spray (This will produce flames! Please be very careful and stand at a distance so you do not burn yourself)

Place each stuffed and wrapped pepper on the grill with your tongs



Clean your grill and spray with non-stick spray (careful!)



Let grill for approx. 5-7 minutes and turn

Repeat

Once your chicken is fully cooked remove from your grill and let it cool

Don't forget to remove the toothpicks prior to eating ha ha

Turn off your grill, Clean up your kitchen, Sip some of that Delicious Sugar free mojito and enjoy the fruits of your labor! MmmmMmmmMmmm Spicy!

****Oven Option:

Preheat oven to 375 Degrees

Place each popper on a greased baking sheet (Use non-stick spray)

Set baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven for even baking

Grease and place on middle rack

Bake for 6 Minutes

Flip and bake for additional 6 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked

Check that it is cooked through....too easy ;)

Remove from oven and let it cool J Easy enough, Right?!

The Skinny on the Nutrition:

Yields 6 Servings

Serving Size 1 Pepper

Calories………………………. 114

Fat………………………………. 4g

Carbs…………………………… 1g

Sugar…………………………… 0g

Protein………………………… 17g

Fiber……………………………. <1g

***All nutrition is an approximate based off of serving size and brand recommendations

Thank You for stopping by! I hope you love your Protein Packed Poppers :) See you next week!!!

XOXO

Magan

"Bridge to Nowhere" Hike
Gorgeous!!! ♥