Jalapeno and Cheese Grilled Chicken This simple but unique flavor combination for grilled chicken is easy to make but packs a ton of flavor. So simple, delicious, and easy, this recipe is a keeper.

We like to serve this chicken with Cajun Sausage Dirty Rice or Creamy Broccoli Slaw.

Table of Contents

Jalapeno and Cheese Grilled Chicken

This easy grilled chicken recipe has smokey bacon, jalapenos, and cheese. The recipe, as written, calls for brining the chicken breasts. However, when I’m short on time, I skip that step and can’t tell the difference in taste.

Jalapenos add a nice spice to the grilled chicken, while the cheese adds a smooth and creamy component. Who doesn’t love bacon? Bacon adds extra flavor. I think you’ll agree that after one taste, this chicken will become a favorite.

Ingredients you’ll need.

Chicken
Jalapenos – fresh or p ickled.
Cheese. Provolone or your favorite.
Bacon
Seasoning – black pepper, garlic, paprika

Tools you’ll need

Smoker grill
Tongs
Toothpicks or skewers

package of three uncooked boneless skinless chicken breasts — Start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Using a sharp chef's knife to butterfly chicken breast on a cutting board. — Start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Jalapeno and Cheese Grilled Chicken Tips

Chicken with bacon, jalapenos, and cheese, what could be better? It is super easy and impressive enough for guests with amazing flavors. Seared it on the outside and it’ll stay juicy inside from the brine.

And did I mention it’s quick? Chicken breasts without bones cook faster than most people think. If you’re unsure, get this instant-read thermometer.

Chicken is done when the inside reaches 165 degrees F. Remove it from the grill when it reaches 155 and 160 degrees F and allow it to rest. As it rests, the temperature will initially rise and reach 165 before it starts falling.

And, yes, grill extra for leftovers. This leftover chicken makes a salad and sandwich.

WANT MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? YOU MUST TRY THESE!

Jalapeno and Cheese Grilled Chicken

Brining makes this Jalapeno and Cheese Grilled Chicken really moist. It’s a flavorful and textural explosion in your mouth!!

Author: Paula

5 from 7 votes

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Prep Time: 4

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 19

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts butterflied and pounded thin
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
water for brining Brining is optional
8 slices bacon
2 Tablespoon black pepper
2 Tablespoon garlic powder
2 Tablespoon paprika
jalapeno pepper we liked fresh, sliced thinly, best about 1/3 cup
provolone cheese slices one for each chicken breast

Instructions

Place chicken in large bowl and cover with water. Add 1/4 cup salt and 1/4 cup sugar to 2 cups water. Brine for 4 to 12 hours in the refrigerator.
Heat grill to 350 degrees.
Remove chicken from brine and wash to remove some of the salt.
Butterfly chicken then pound thin. Wrap bacon around chicken and secure with a toothpick. Season chicken and bacon with pepper, garlic, and paprika. Grill until meat thermometer inserted in the thickest portion registers 150 degrees. Add jalapenos then cheese and heat until cheese melts. Enjoy!

Notes

Recipe updated 6-28-14 to include rinsing the chicken after brining to remove some of the salt from the outside of the chicken. Even by rinsing the chicken the brine still results in a more tener, juicy chicken.I butterfly and pound the breast simply to make more uniform in thickness in order to cook more evenly.

Nutrition

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.

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26 Comments

Puzzled about why you split the breasts if you’re not placing anything on the inside?I was expecting that the peppers,cheese or some bacon would be placed inside as well as wrapped around the outside.

Paula says:

05.26.14 at 5:24 pm

Simply to make them thinner in order to cook faster.The breast I got were huge and really thicker than I like to work with.

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