Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs Smothered And Stuffed With Awesome

• 12 spears asparagus
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• 4 extra-thick bacon slices
• kitchen string
• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 jalapeno peppers - stemmed, seeded, and minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups warm milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper.
2. Trim asparagus spears to extend 1 inch past each side of the thighs.
3. Place 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese into a bowl.
4. Lay chicken thighs flat on a work surface. Place 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese on each thigh, followed by 3 asparagus spears. Roll thigh around stuffing; wrap 1 bacon slice around each thigh. Tie a 12-inch length of string around the bacon, ensuring bacon ends are secured. Place stuffed thighs in the lined pan.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 30 to 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of a thigh should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
6. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; add jalapenos. Cook, stirring regularly, until juices have evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add remaining butter, melt completely, about 1 minute. Stir in flour until it starts to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in warm milk, 1/3 cup at a time, mixing completely after each addition.
7. Bring milk mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 7 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Add remaining mozzarella cheese, stir gently to incorporate into sauce.
8. Cut strings from thighs and smother with sauce.

asparagus, mozzarella cheese, skinless, bacon, kitchen string, butter, allpurpose, warm milk, salt, ground black pepper

Taken from www.allrecipes.com/recipe/258621/bacon-wrapped-chicken-thighs-smothered-and-stuffed-with-awesome/ (may not work)