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Grilled California Avocado Chicken

Grilled California avocado chicken with dark, defined grill marks, juicy chicken, and ripe avocado slices topped with melted Monterey jack and crispy bacon. Finished with pico de gallo for a fresh, bright bite.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and seasonings
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings
  • 2 ripe avocados sliced
  • 8 strips bacon cooked crispy
  • 4 slices Monterey jack cheese
  • 1 cup pico de gallo
  • 1 cilantro for serving
  • 1 lime for serving

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Prep the chicken
  1. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, then brush all sides with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Grill and melt the cheese
  1. Grill over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through and grill marks are visible. Close the lid during the last 2 minutes of grilling to help the heat melt the cheese.
  2. During the last 2 minutes, place a slice of Monterey jack on each chicken breast and close the grill lid. Grill until the cheese looks melted and slightly softened.
Top and serve
  1. Remove the chicken from the grill and immediately top each breast with sliced avocado. Add two strips of cooked crispy bacon and a spoonful of pico de gallo on top.
  2. Garnish with fresh cilantro and squeeze with lime, then serve immediately. The avocado should look fresh and the bacon should stay crisp.

Notes

For best texture, slice the avocados right before serving so they don’t brown on the hot chicken. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days; freeze is not recommended because avocado and pico can soften and weep. For a lighter option, use turkey bacon and a reduced-fat Monterey jack while keeping the same grilling method.