Just wait until you try this classic smoky BBQ mountain chicken! Marinated in barbecue sauce and topped with ham and melted provolone cheese, this easy weeknight dinner will have the whole family begging for more!

If you liked the smoky mountain chicken served over rice from Ruby Tuesday, then you are going to LOVE this one–except mine is way better! My family and I love making this chicken when we’re in the mood for a bold, savory, and cheesy recipe. We usually are always talking about seconds by the time we finish our meals.

Wanna know something else? You can even serve this chicken as a sandwich, too! Perfect for weekday lunches or dinners!

One of Our Favorite Family Meals

We eat chicken a few times per week and finding a recipe that is this good and only 4 ingredients, was a complete win for me. I originally posted this recipe back in 2015 when I was doing a review of a cookbook by Mary of Deep South Dish. I had made Mary’s Skillet Red Beans & Rice, but I couldn’t get this chicken out of my head, so later that week, when I was in a dinner bind, I made it, too!

It’s one of those recipes that I always have the four ingredients it calls for on hand, which makes it perfect for those crazy weeknights!

We make this recipe with chicken breasts, but honestly, you could even make it with boneless thighs. No matter how you eat it, you’ll love this tender chicken recipe! If you’re looking for a way to level it up even more, whip up a batch of my Homemade Barbecue Sauce and use it to prepare this chicken recipe.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe works because it is so easy to make! An easy marinade, that does all of the prep and the grilling steps are just as simple.
The whole family can enjoy this recipe! My boys ask for this smoky mountain chicken ALL of the time. Everyone loves barbecue sauce and cheese right?
Serve as the main dish to your side dishes such as corn pie pudding or Greek-style cucumber salad. We also like to serve this recipe with asparagus, rice, and cornbread, too.

Ingredients in Smoky Moutain Chicken

Barbecue sauce: The barbecue sauce truly makes this recipe! You’ll want to make sure you have enough barbecue sauce to allow the chicken to marinate in. Be sure to check out my yummy homemade barbecue sauce that contains the perfect amount of sweetness and spice (this is what we usually use).
Chicken: If you’re cooking for a crowd, then make sure you have enough chicken breasts for the family. Like I said above, this recipe could work with chicken thighs, too.
Ham: Make sure the ham is not too thin, but not too thick, either. We like to use freshly sliced ham from the local butcher shop or market. But this recipe is also a great way to use leftover ham from the holidays.
Cheese: Provolone cheese is great for this recipe because it’s subtle, but still rich enough in flavor to blend perfectly well with the BBQ sauce.

How to Make Smoky Mountain Chicken

If you’re looking for the perfect recipe to make for game days or nights, holidays, parties, and so much more– then I think you’ll really love this recipe!

Step 1

Marinate the Chicken: First, place the chicken breasts in a ziplock bag with the barbecue sauce and squish them around until they are fully coated. Place the bag in the refrigerator for at least two hours to marinate. (You can marinate them longer if you need to.)

Step 2

Cook: Next, grill the chicken until done or an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit is reached with a meat thermometer.

Place the chicken on top of a baking sheet and pile it with sliced ham.

Top with provolone cheese.

Step 3

Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook until cheese melts. (if you don’t want to heat up the kitchen, we have had success placing the baking sheet onto the grill as well)

Tips

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.
If you would like to serve this smoky mountain chicken as a sandwich, then pair it with your favorite bread such as sourdough, challah, honey wheat, etc.
Use any type of sliced ham that is thick.

LOVE IT? PIN IT!

Save this yummy smoky mountain chicken for later! Pin this recipe to your Pinterest board before you go!

If you like this grilling recipe, then be sure to check out my entire page of easy grilling recipes!

More Chicken Recipes You Will Love

Instant Pot Crack Chicken (pictured above)
Chicken Kabobs
Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Honey Chicken
Grilled Herb Chicken
Sweet and Sticky Grilled Chicken

There is nothing I love more than grilled chicken. It is just amazing. Summertime food is the BEST!

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4.75 from 4 votes

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