Author Notes
Inspired by my friend Travis who grew up in Austin, Texas. Don't let the name scare you! —Dawn Kimball
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Ingredients
- Chicken Balls
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4
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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8 ounces
Softened Cream Cheese
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2
Jalapeño peppers
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1 1/2 cups
BBQ Sauce (recipe follows)
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4-6 tablespoons
BBQ Rub (below)
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1 tablespoon
Cumin powder
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1 tablespoon
Pimenton
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1 tablespoon
Garlic powder
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1 tablespoon
Onion powder
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1 tablespoon
Chili powder
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1 tablespoon
Brown sugar
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1 tablespoon
Kosher salt
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1 1/2 teaspoons
Ground black pepper
- BBQ Sauce
-
1 cup
Ketchup
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2 tablespoons
Apple cider vinegar
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2 tablespoons
Brown sugar
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2 tablespoons
Molasses
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1 1/2 teaspoons
Ground black pepper
-
2 teaspoons
Kosher salt
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1 teaspoon
Onion powder
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1 tablespoon
Dijon mustard
-
1 teaspoon
Garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon
Ground cumin
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1 tablespoon
Low-sodium soy sauce
-
1 tablespoon
Worcestershire sauce
Directions
- Chicken Balls
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Mix cumin powder, pimento, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, brown sugar, kosher salt and black pepper together and set aside.
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Remove tenders from the chicken breasts and pound to a 1/4" thickness
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Sprinkle both sides of chicken liberally with the BBQ rub.
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Cut both ends off the jalapeños. Cut them in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Cut the jalapeños into long thin slices about 1/8" thick.
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Spread approx. 2 oz of softened cream cheese on the back side of the chicken breast leaving a 1/2" border on all sides. Top with a few slices (3-4) of jalapeños.
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Starting with the short end of the chicken roll the breasts up tightly and set aside seam side down.
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Lightly pound the bacon slices to thin them slightly.
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Wrap bacon slices from top to bottom of each stuffed breasts and secure the rolled chicken with twine. Place in the refrigerator until ready to grill.
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Preheat the grill to medium heat while preparing the BBQ sauce.
- BBQ Sauce
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In a small saucepan combine all BBQ sauce ingredients and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat.
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Place chicken balls on the grill at medium heat. Once the bacon fat has begun to render on all sides baste lightly with BBQ sauce and continue grilling the chicken balls, occasionally turning them and basting them until the balls are thoroughly cooked. Serve with remaining BBQ sauce.
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