Grilled Jalapeño Popper Chicken with Cheddar and Bacon
Juicy grilled chicken breasts stuffed with spicy jalapeños, sharp cheddar, and smoky bacon for a flavorful dinner. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, jalapeño peppers, sharp cheddar cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 medium, seeded and finely chopped jalapeño peppers
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 6 strips, cooked and crumbled bacon strips
- 4 oz, softened cream cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat around 400°F. Meanwhile, mix 4 oz softened cream cheese, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 3 chopped seeded jalapeño peppers, and 6 crumbled cooked bacon strips in a bowl until well combined.
- Step 2: Using a sharp knife, cut a horizontal pocket into each of the 4 chicken breasts, being careful not to slice through completely. Season both sides of each breast with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika.
- Step 3: Stuff each chicken breast pocket evenly with the jalapeño-cheddar-bacon mixture, securing with toothpicks if needed. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Step 4: Remove the chicken from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving, allowing the cheese filling to set slightly and the flavors to meld.








