Monterey Chicken Recipe
This Monterey Chicken is a copycat of Chili's famous recipe! Made with a flavorful combination of juicy chicken breasts, tangy BBQ sauce, diced tomatoes, crispy bacon, and melted cheese, this quick and easy dinnertime favorite is loved by the whole family!
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 3 medium chicken breasts or six thinly sliced chicken cutlets, see notes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup BBQ Sauce plus more if needed
- 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 green onions sliced
- 2 Roma tomatoes deseeded and diced
Instructions
- Add the chopped bacon to a large 12-inch skillet set over medium-high heat. Once the bacon is hot and sizzling, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally. Once the bacon pieces are golden and release their grease, remove the lid and continue to cook until brown and crispy. Remove from heat and use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Leave approximately three tablespoons of grease in the skillet and discard the rest.
- As the bacon cooks, slice each chicken breast horizontally to make two thinner cutlets.
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Generously season both sides of the chicken pieces.
- Return the skillet (with the bacon grease) to medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature registers 150-155 degrees Fahrenheit with a digital meat thermometer. Note: If your chicken breasts are especially large, you may need to cook the chicken in two batches.
- Spread the BBQ sauce evenly over the top of each chicken breast, then sprinkle with shredded cheese and cooked bacon pieces. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and continue to cook until the cheese is melty and bubbly, about 5 minutes or so.
- Remove from heat and serve each chicken breast topped with sliced green onions and tomatoes. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For faster, more even cooking, slice your chicken breasts horizontally to make two thinner cutlets. You can also pound the chicken breasts to a thinner, equal thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Some grocery stores also sell “thinly sliced” chicken breasts, aka chicken cutlets, so keep your eye out for those next time you're at the market.
- Feel free to add more (or less) bacon, BBQ sauce, cheese, tomatoes, and green onions!
- Storage: For best results, store the cheesy, bacon-y BBQ chicken breasts separately from the fresh ingredients for up to 3-4 days in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Serve with fresh tomatoes and green onions at the time of serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 776mg | Potassium: 407mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 664IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 1mg
