Pepperoncini Firecrackers

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (32 ounce) jar pepperoncini peppers
• 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and cut into 24 pieces
• 24 pieces monterey jack cheese (about 1-1/2 inches x 1/4 inch x 1/8 inch) or 24 pieces monterey jack pepper cheese (about 1-1/2 inches x 1/4 inch x 1/8 inch)
• 24 sheets phyllo dough (14 inches x 9 inches)
• pam cooking spray, butter-flavored spray
• melted butter
• 48 fresh chives

Recipe

• 1 remove 24 pepperoncinis from jar; remove and discard stems and seeds. drain peppers on paper towels. stuff each with a piece of chicken and a cheese strip (cheese may need to be cut to fit in some peppers).
• 2 place one sheet of phyllo dough on a work surface (keep remaining dough covered with waxed paper to avoid drying out). spritz dough with butter-flavored spray. repeat three times; stack sprayed phyllo dough. cut stacks into four pieces, about 6-1/2 inches x 4-1/4 inches each.
• 3 center one stuffed pepper on one long side of each phyllo stack; roll up and twist the ends to seal. repeat with remaining peppers and dough. place on ungreased baking sheets. drizzle butter over center of firecrackers. bake at 375° for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. tie ends with chives. yield: 2 dozen.