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Monterey Chicken

Monterey chicken is an easy chicken dinner with golden grilled-style breasts smothered in tangy BBQ sauce, then topped with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Finished under the broiler until the cheese turns bubbly and golden in spots.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 690
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Monterey Chicken
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp pepper
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 cup bbq sauce divided
  • 8 bacon cooked crispy
  • 1 onion thinly sliced and caramelized
  • 1 tbsp butter for caramelizing the onions
  • 2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 0.25 cup diced tomatoes for garnish
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Marinate and season
  1. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to taste, then brush with half the BBQ sauce.
  2. Let the seasoned chicken marinate for 10 minutes to deepen the BBQ flavor.
Sear until golden and cooked through
  1. Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through to 165°F.
Top and broil
  1. Brush each breast with the remaining BBQ sauce, then top with caramelized onions followed by 2 strips of bacon per breast.
  2. Pile the shredded Monterey Jack cheese generously over each breast so it covers the toppings.
  3. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and golden in spots.
Finish and serve
  1. Garnish with diced tomatoes and fresh chives, then serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, caramelize the onion in butter until soft and browned before topping the chicken. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet or oven so the cheese stays tender. Freezing is not recommended because the chicken and cheese texture can change. For a lighter option, use reduced-sugar BBQ sauce and turkey bacon instead of pork bacon.