Monterey Chicken

Craving a dinner that’s easy, cheesy, and downright irresistible? Look no further than Monterey Chicken, a mouthwatering masterpiece where juicy chicken breasts meet smoky barbecue sauce, crispy bacon, and a melty layer of colby jack cheese. Topped with fresh tomatoes and green onions for a burst of color and crunch, this dish brings restaurant-level flavor straight to your kitchen in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients to Make Monterey Chicken Recipe

Monterey Chicken (Chili’s copycat recipe) is a hearty, flavor-packed dish that brings together all the best comfort food elements in one skillet. Juicy grilled or pan-seared chicken breasts are smothered with tangy barbecue sauce, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh tomatoes and green onions for a pop of freshness. It’s savory, cheesy, and just the right amount of smoky, perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners that feel a little extra special.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make Monterey Chicken: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

Chicken – Four boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Oil- Olive oil or vegetable oil is the necessary fat for flavor.
Seasonings – Seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder or granulated garlic, onion powder and smoked paprika.
Barbecue Sauce – Use your favorite brand of barbecue sauce. A sweet, smoky and spicy adds a punch of flavor. A thicker barbecue sauce works best.
Bacon – Classic bacon adds a smoky flavor that complements the barbecue flavor.
Cheese – Shredded colby jack cheese (or a cheddar–Jack blend) for a melty cheesy goodness.
Toppings – Plum tomatoes and green onions for freshness.

How to Make the BEST Monterey Chicken Recipe

Heat Oven and Prepare the Pan – Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment for easy cleanup.
Prep the Chicken Breasts – Place the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and pound out to 1/3-1/2-inch thick for even baking.
Season the Chicken – Arrange in pan and season.
Oven – Bake per the recipe until juices run clear. (Or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.)
Fry Bacon – While the chicken is baking, cook the bacon in a pan until crisp, then chop.
Add BBQ Sauce – Top each chicken breast with a 2-3 tablespoons of barbeque sauce and a generous handful of shredded colby jack cheese.
Melt the Cheese – Return to the oven for another 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and chicken reaches 165°F.
Serve – Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to lock in the juices. Sprinkle with diced tomatoes, green onions, and chopped bacon. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need to Make Monterey Chicken

13×9-inch baking dish or oven safe grill pan.
Large skillet for frying the bacon.
Sharp knife and chopping board.
Measuring cups and spoons.
Rolling pin or meat mallet to pound the chicken to even thickness.
Cheese grater, if shredding your own cheese. I highly recommend grating it fresh.
Paper-towel lined pan or platter to drain the bacon grease after cooking.
Instant read meat thermometer for checking the internal temperature.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

Chicken – Thinner chicken breasts cook more evenly and quickly, pound thicker cuts to an even thickness.
Chicken Thighs – You could adapt this recipe using boneless skinless chicken thighs. They will take longer to cook so check the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer.
Spices – Don’t skip the seasonings, they build a flavor base that shines through all the toppings. You could use a prepared barbecue seasoning blend or southwestern seasoning for a shortcut.
Bacon – Use freshly cooked and crispy bacon for the best texture. You could use turkey bacon, if preferred.
Cheese – Shred your own cheese for a better melt. Pre-shredded bags of cheese often contain anti-caking agents that can cause them to melt poorly. You could use any variety that you enjoy like a sharp cheddar cheese, monterey jack cheese or spicy pepper jack cheese.
Vegetables – You could cook caramelized onions or sautéed mushrooms in the bacon drippings to add under the cheese layer for added depth.
Barbecue Sauce – Use a smoky or spicy BBQ sauce for a bolder version.
Optional Toppings – Add sliced avocado or a dollop of sour cream before serving for creamy contrast. You could also garnish with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and jalapeño slices for spice.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers – Refrigerate any leftover Monterey Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating – To reheat, place chicken in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes or until heated through, or microwave in short intervals until warm.
Freezer – To freeze, wrap each piece of chicken tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place in a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating

More Easy Chicken Recipes to Make

Make your own Crockpot Shredded Chicken for casseroles, sandwiches, wraps and more.
Chicken Fried Chicken and pan gravy is comfort food done right.
Lemon Garlic Chicken is flavor packed.
Treat the family to homemade Crispy Chicken Sandwiches.
The kiddos will love this recipe for Easy Popcorn Chicken.
Chicken Fried Chicken and Gravy with a side of mashed potatoes.
Decadent Honey Pecan Fried Chicken.
Fried Chicken Cakes and remoulade sauce is a fan favorite.
Honey Glazed Chicken Kabobs from That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

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