Description
Fiery Cajun Shrimp Stuffed Jalapeños are a spicy, savory appetizer featuring large jalapeño halves filled with a creamy, cheesy mixture of chopped shrimp, cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and bold Cajun seasoning. Baked until bubbly and garnished with fresh chives, this dish is perfect for entertaining or a flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Jalapeños
- 12 large jalapeños, halved and seeds removed
Filling
- 1/2 lb cooked shrimp, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
Garnish
- Fresh chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed jalapeños evenly.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped cooked shrimp, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, Cajun seasoning, and crumbled cooked bacon. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated and form a cohesive filling.
- Stuff Jalapeños: Carefully spoon the shrimp and cheese mixture into each halved jalapeño, filling them generously to ensure a rich bite in every piece.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the stuffed jalapeños on a baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for uniform heat distribution.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and becomes bubbly and slightly golden around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish each stuffed jalapeño with fresh chives, and serve warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Make sure to remove all seeds from the jalapeños to reduce the heat level, or keep some for extra spice.
- For quicker prep, use pre-cooked shrimp and cooked bacon available in stores.
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your spice preference.
- These can be prepared ahead, stuffed, and refrigerated, then baked just before serving.
- Always use gloves when handling jalapeños to avoid skin irritation.
