Spicy Chicken and Bacon Diablo Skewers
Jalapenos are the most popular chile peppers in the US. This is probably due to the availability and versatility of the chile. Jalapenos have a balanced combination of flavor and heat.
Yield: About 8 servings
Prep Time: Several hours to marinate
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
2 lbs. chicken tenders
2/3 cup orange juice
1 1/2 Tablespoons dry steak seasoning, divided
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup chopped pecans
10 – 12 whole fresh jalapenos (depends on # chicken tenders)
2 lbs. thin sliced bacon
2 cups barbecue sauce, divided
wooden skewers
Directions:
Place chicken tenders in bowl, add orange juice and 1 Tablespoon steak seasoning. Stir, cover and set in refrigerator to marinate 1 or more hours, but no more than 8 hours. Soak wooden skewers for at least an hour in water before cooking them so they don’t burn.
In separate bowl, mix cream cheese, pecans and 1/2 Tablespoon steak seasoning, blend well by hand, and set aside.
When ready to assemble, slice jalapenos in half lengthwise, remove seeds, then rinse again. Fill jalapenos half with cream cheese mixture, place a chicken tender on top of filling , wrap with 1 slice of bacon, and secure with a skewer so the bacon stays wrapped around the jalapeno (if desired can have two stuffed jalapenos on each skewer). Set aside half of the barbecue sauce for the end. When finished assembling the remaining skewers, brush all finished jalapenos generously with about a 1/4 of the barbecue sauce.
Bake or grill until chicken is thoroughly cooked, approximately 45 minutes at 350 degrees F, turning halfway through cooking time and basting with 1/4 more of the sauce. Baste on last time about 5 mins before finished cooking with reserved barbecue sauce or use to serve with it.