Monterey Chicken

5 from 1 vote

This easy Monterey chicken recipe has an irresistible combination of flavors! There's sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, melty cheese, fresh tomatoes, and crispy bacon.

Prep Time10

Cook Time40

Total Time50

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Monterey Chicken

Servings:

Author: Natasha Bull

Ingredients

6 strips bacon
2 large chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste
1 cup BBQ sauce use your fave
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend or Monterey Jack
1 small-to-medium tomato chopped
1/3 cup chopped scallions

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
Cut the bacon into small pieces (I do this quickly using kitchen shears). Cook it in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate, and leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
Meanwhile, cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make 4 thinner cutlets. Season the chicken pieces with the garlic powder and salt & pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the chicken to the skillet and sear for 4 minutes/side until lightly golden.
Once the chicken has been seared, take the skillet off the heat. Spread the BBQ sauce equally over the top of each piece of chicken, then sprinkle the cheese over top, followed by the bacon.
Place the skillet in the oven for 5-7 minutes, and then broil for a couple of minutes until the chicken is cooked through (165F) and the cheese is nicely melted.
Top the chicken with the tomatoes and scallions, and enjoy immediately with the pan sauce served over mashed potatoes, rice, etc.

Notes

If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken to a baking dish for step 4.

Nutrition