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Who Supplies Church’s Chicken Jalapeño Bombers? An Inside Look at the Spicy Secrets Behind a Fast Food Favorite

Church’s Chicken Jalapeño Bombers have earned a cult following among spicy food fans. These bites of fried cheese and jalapeños encapsulated in a crispy shell provide the perfect balance of creaminess and heat. But have you ever wondered where these little fiery grenades come from? Who supplies the secret recipe and ingredients that give Church’s Chicken Jalapeño Bombers their addictive kick?

In this detailed exposé, we’ll unveil the mysteries behind Church’s Chicken Jalapeño Bombers, from farm to fryer. We’ll explore how these beloved menu items are made and map out the complex supply chain that brings them from production to your plate. Read on to get the inside scoop on the people and processes behind this fast food phenomenon.

The Mastermind Behind Church’s Chicken Jalapeño Bombers

While the exact recipe for Church’s Chicken Jalapeño Bombers remains a closely guarded secret, their supplier is no mystery. The company responsible for producing these spicy snacks is Kerry Group, an Ireland-based global leader in taste and nutrition solutions for the food industry

With over 25 years of experience crafting flavor profiles for major restaurant chains, Kerry Group has established themselves as the go-to supplier for creating consistent, craveworthy menu items like Church’s Jalapeño Bombers. Their advanced research and production facilities allow them to dial in the perfect balance of ingredients and process the Jalapeño Bombers for nationwide distribution.

Sourcing Only the Finest Ingredients

Of course, Kerry Group doesn’t actually grow the jalapeños and cheese that fill the Jalapeño Bombers. To ensure the highest quality ingredients, they work closely with a trusted network of specialty farmers and suppliers. Only jalapeños that meet exacting standards for color, flavor, and spice level are selected to give each Jalapeño Bomber the signature pop of heat.

The creamy cheese blend inside the Jalapeño Bombers is also specially formulated, using a mixture of cheddar and other cheeses to achieve the ideal melt and mouthfeel. Kerry Group applies their culinary and food science expertise to source, blend, and prepare these ingredients for maximum appeal.

From Farm to Freezer: The Making of a Jalapeño Bomber

Once Kerry Group has sourced the core ingredients, the manufacturing and freezing process begins. Their secret seasoning and precise ratios are combined to create the spicy cheese filling. This filling is then carefully portioned and tucked inside hand-breaded jalapeño halves before being flash frozen.

The flash freezing process preserves the fresh flavors and locks in the gooey cheese texture. From start to finish, Kerry Group implements rigorous quality control checks to ensure each Jalapeño Bomber meets Church’s specifications. The perfectly portioned and frozen Jalapeño Bombers are then packaged up and shipped out to Church’s Chicken locations across the country.

Maintaining Consistency Across the Supply Chain

A complex, multi-tiered supply chain like that of the Jalapeño Bombers requires careful coordination to maintain consistency. Kerry Group and Church’s Chicken use several methods to align on quality:

• Strict guidelines for growing and selecting jalapeños and cheese ingredients
• Proprietary manufacturing processes controlled by Kerry Group
• Ongoing R&D between Kerry and Church’s to fine-tune recipes
• Quality checks during production and at Church’s restaurants

This robust approach ensures that a Jalapeño Bomber in California has the same spicy goodness as one in New York. Customers can enjoy the same experience regardless of location.

From Deep Fryer to Your Tray: How Jalapeño Bombers Are Prepared

The last step of the Jalapeño Bomber journey happens at individual Church’s Chicken restaurants. Employees receive thorough training on proper preparation, including:

• Safely handling and storing frozen Jalapeño Bombers
• Frying at precise times and temperatures for optimal texture
• Consistently portioning out servings for orders
• Following food safety protocols to avoid cross-contamination

When an order of Jalapeño Bombers comes in, team members simply fry up the pre-made, frozen pieces for 2-3 minutes until the coating is crispy and the cheese is melted. Then the piping hot Jalapeño Bombers are plated and served immediately to customers. It’s this simple, consistent process that brings joy to spicy food fans nationwide.

Customizing Your Jalapeño Bomber Experience

One of the best parts about Church’s Chicken Jalapeño Bombers is that they’re highly customizable. While the core ingredients remain the same, there are endless ways to tailor them to your preferences:

• Ask for extra cheese or jalapeños for an added kick
• Try them “debris style” topped with chili
• Pair them with creamy ranch dressing or dipping sauce
• Mix and match them in a combo meal with other Church’s favorites

No matter how you tweak them, you can count on the Jalapeño Bombers to deliver the perfect level of crunch and spice. The suppliers behind the scenes have crafted these snacks for craveability and consistency. Next time you’re at Church’s, don’t forget to add a fresh order of Jalapeño Bombers to your meal!

The People Behind the Pepper: Church’s Chicken’s Jalapeño Suppliers

While Kerry Group handles manufacture of the complete Jalapeño Bombers, Church’s Chicken still needs a steady supply of fresh, flavorful peppers. Over the years, they’ve partnered with various specialty produce suppliers for their signature fire-roasted jalapeños.

Many of these suppliers are family farms located in jalapeño hotbeds like New Mexico and California. They work closely with Church’s to provide a tailored harvest of peppers with just the right level of heat and crunch. Here are a few of the key suppliers that have fueled Church’s jalapeño needs over the years:

• Hotman’s Chili Peppers (New Mexico)
• Oliver Farming Company (California)
• Smokey Joe’s Chili Farm (Texas)
• Chavez Family Farms (New Mexico)

These farmers employ meticulous growing practices to ensure the jalapeños consistently meet Church’s stringent standards. The partnerships enable Church’s to source cheaper, fresher peppers while supporting family farms. It’s a win-win for both supplier and restaurant.

Bringing the Heat: A Timeline of Jalapeño Bombers

Jalapeño Bombers have appeared on Church’s Chicken menus in some form for over 20 years. Let’s look back at the evolution of this spicy favorite over the decades:

• Early 1990s: Jalapeño Bombers introduced as fried jalapeño halves filled with cheese. Initial test markets successful.

• Late 90s: Rolled out to all US Church’s locations due to popularity, tweaked recipe and branding.

• 2000s: Periodic LTOs of revamped Jalapeño Bombers, including spicy chicken and bacon-wrapped versions.

• 2010s: Jalapeño Bombers cemented as a core menu item rather than limited-time offer. New suppliers brought on board.

• 2020s: Continued innovation by Church’s/Kerry to introduce trendy flavors like Nashville hot chicken.

Though the basic concept has stayed the same, Church’s has kept the Jalapeño Bombers menu fresh decade after decade. With their staying power and loyal fans, expect the evolution to continue.

The Verdict: Why You’ll Love Church’s Jalapeño Bombers

After getting the inside scoop on how Church’s Jalapeño Bombers are made, you’re probably craving a batch right now. Here’s a quick recap of what makes these spicy appetizers so addictive:

• The fiery filling of real jalapeños and melted cheese provides a flavorful blast in every bite.

• The crispy outer shell offers a satisfying crunch contrasting the creamy interior.

• Thoughtful preparation from suppliers maintains consistency across the chain.

• Customizations like extra cheese or different dipping sauces allow you to tailor the heat.

• Decades of innovation keep the Jalapeño Bomber offerings fresh and exciting.

With a fiery crunch in every bite, it’s easy to see why Church’s Chicken Jalapeño Bombers have been making fans happy for over 20 years. Next time the spice craving strikes, grab an order and taste the flavors for yourself!

Church’s Chicken uses La Costeña brand whole jalapenos.

Church’s Chicken is currently owned by High Bluff Capital Partners, which acquired the chain in 2021. High Bluff Capital Partners is a private equity firm that also owns other restaurant brands like Quiznos and Taco Del Mar, according to QSR Magazine.

Yes, Church’s Texas Chicken is the same as Church’s Chicken.. It’s a rebrand of the original Church’s Chicken, launched in 2019, to highlight its Texas roots and differentiate itself from competitors.