Cheesy Bacon BBQ Chicken (Monterey Chicken)
Monterey Chicken is a cheesy Bacon BBQ Chicken recipe the whole family will want for dinner again! Smothered BBQ chicken breasts topped with bacon and Monterey Jack cheese are so easy to make! Garnish this baked BBQ chicken dish with fresh tomatoes and green onions for a tasty chicken casserole!
Equipment
- 1 pair of kitchen tongs
Ingredients
- 4 lbs chicken breasts, (sliced in half, crosswise)
- 1 1/4 cup bbq sauce
- 10 oz Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- 1 lb bacon, (cooked)
- 1 cup tomatoes , (freshly diced)
- 3 tbsp sliced green onions, (optional)
- 1 Tbsp salt, pepper, and paprika
- 3 Tbsp sunflower oil, (for every 4 chicken breasts, fried)
Instructions
- Generously season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika on both sides. Set aside.
- Heat a 12-inch skillet over high heat. Drizzle with 3 Tbsp of oil and sear each side of the chicken for 2-3 min on each side.
- Transfer the chicken onto a large baking sheet and continue to fry the remaining chicken in batches.
- Spoon 1 heading Tbsp of BBQ sauce over each chicken breast.
- Top each chicken with 1 slice of bacon (I break mine in half), and sprinkle chicken with shredded cheese.
- Bake at 300°F for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese melts and chicken is done.
- Garnish with diced tomatoes and scallions, if desired.
Notes
- How to cut BBQ chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half crosswise and then in half again to stretch out the chicken servings. For adult servings, you do not need to cut the chicken in half after you sliced it in half crosswise.
- Make-Ahead: You can also, reserve half for another weeknight dinner by assembling half of this portion into a 13x9 disposable pan. Be sure to cool all ingredients before assembling and freeze covered with foil for up to 3 months.
- To cook, bacon follow my Oven-Baked Bacon Instructions.
- Quick Meat Tenderizer: add 2 tsp of baking soda, 2 Tbsp of white distilled vinegar, and 2 cups of water to the sliced chicken breasts for a tender chicken marinade. Simply drain before proceeding with the recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Cheesy Bacon BBQ Chicken (Monterey Chicken)
Serving Size
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
413
% Daily Value*
Fat
26
g
40
%
Saturated Fat
7
g
44
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
13
g
Cholesterol
86
mg
29
%
Sodium
746
mg
32
%
Potassium
503
mg
14
%
Carbohydrates
17
g
6
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
13
g
14
%
Protein
26
g
52
%
Vitamin A
304
IU
6
%
Vitamin C
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
126
mg
13
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
