Monterey Chicken

Monterey Chicken is a flavorful, family-favorite easy chicken recipe made with juicy chicken breasts topped with barbecue sauce, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh diced tomatoes. It's hearty, satisfying, and easy to make any night of the week for family dinner.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword monterey chicken

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings

Calories 422kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Favorite Skillet Pan

Ingredients

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup barbecue sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon cooked & crumbled
4 green onions thinly sliced
2 roma tomatoes seeded & diced

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350℉.
Cut each chicken breast in half, lengthwise like a hamburger bun, so you end up with 6 thinner pieces of chicken.
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
In a small bowl, mix together the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Season both sides of each chicken breast with the seasoning.
1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
Heat oil in a large skillet pan, over medium heat, then add the seasoned chicken breast pieces. Cook until both sides are golden brown; about 3-4 minutes per side.
^{*Depending on how large your skillet pan is, you may have to do this in batches (add more olive oil as needed).}
1 tablespoon olive oil
Transfer the chicken to a 9x13 baking dish.
Spread the BBQ sauce over the chicken, then top with the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled cooked bacon.
1 cup barbecue sauce, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 6 slices bacon
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉.
Garnish with sliced green onions and sliced Roma tomatoes. Enjoy!
4 green onions, 2 roma tomatoes

Notes

Chicken Breasts : Alternatively, you could use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Open them up and spread them out when cooking in the skillet and placing them in the baking dish; this way, you have the surface area to hold the cheese and toppings. It's important to cut the chicken breast in half, lengthwise like a hamburger bun, before proceeding in the recipe. The thinner slices cook more evenly and there is more surface space for the toppings.
Olive Oil : Any neutral-flavored oil works well here such as grapeseed oil, avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil, light tasting olive oil, or even canola oil.
Barbecue Sauce : There are so many flavors, varieties, and brands to choose from so pick your favorite, and one that you love the taste of. My family really likes the Kinder brand and Sweet Baby Rays brand.
Cheddar Cheese : Options include mild, medium, or sharp cheddar, pepper jack for spice, or Monterey Jack cheese. For the best creamy and smooth melt, buy an 8 ounce block of cheese and shred it yourself using a cheese grater.
Bacon : Cook the bacon your preferred method until crispy, and then chop it up into small pieces. I love using the Kirkland Signature microwave bacon from Costco because it crisps up so perfectly in the microwave. Fresh bacon is best, but in a pinch you can use real bacon bits.
Tomatoes : Any tomato can be used here such as Roma tomatoes, cherry or grape tomatoes (just halve them), or you could even use fresh pico de gallo for a different flavor profile.

Nutrition