Sizzling Chilis Copycat Monterey Chicken Recipe for Home Cooks

Crispy bacon and melted cheese make this chilis copycat monterey chicken a mouthwatering meal that sparks instant cravings.

Juicy chicken breasts become the canvas for a delightful flavor explosion.

Southwest-inspired seasoning adds a zesty kick to every bite.

Weeknight dinners deserve something special, and this recipe delivers pure comfort.

Simple ingredients combine to create a restaurant-quality dish you can easily master at home.

Minimal prep work ensures you spend less time cooking and more time enjoying a delicious meal.

Trust me, this chicken will become your new go-to dinner that impresses everyone around the table.

Why Chilis Copycat Monterey Chicken Is A Winner

• Tackle Mouthwatering Comfort Food: This barbecue bacon chicken recipe delivers incredible flavor combinations that make taste buds dance with pure satisfaction.
• Conquer Minimal Kitchen Skills: Perfect for home cooks with basic techniques, the recipe requires simple steps anyone can master without professional culinary training.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Meal: Guaranteed to impress family and friends with its restaurant-quality presentation and delectable layers of cheese, bacon, and barbecue sauce.
• Transform Weeknight Cooking: Transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dish that breaks monotonous dinner routines and adds excitement to meal preparation.

Everything Needed For Chilis Copycat Monterey Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: High-quality, lean protein that serves as the main foundation of this delicious dish.

• Barbecue Sauce: Adds a sweet and tangy coating that provides rich, caramelized flavor to the chicken.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural taste of the chicken and create depth of flavor.

• Bacon: Provides a crispy, smoky texture that adds incredible crunch and savory richness to the chicken.
• Monterey Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Melty cheeses that create a gooey, luxurious topping with complementary sharp and mild flavors.

• Green Onions, Parsley: Fresh herbs that add a bright, clean finish and visual appeal to the completed dish.

• Cooking Spray: Helps prevent the chicken from sticking to the baking dish during cooking.

Step-By-Step Chilis Copycat Monterey Chicken Directions

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly spray a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Season Chicken

Season chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper on both sides, ensuring even coverage.

Step 3: Sear Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown exterior with a rich crust.

Step 4: Add Barbecue Sauce

Transfer seared chicken to the prepared baking dish. Brush each chicken breast completely with barbecue sauce, creating a glossy and flavorful coating.

Step 5: Cook and Crumble Bacon

Cook bacon in the same skillet until it becomes crisp and fully rendered. Chop or crumble the bacon into small, bite-sized pieces.

Step 6: Top with Bacon

Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the barbecue-coated chicken breasts, creating a crunchy and smoky layer.

Step 7: Add Cheese Layer

Top each chicken breast with a blend of monterey jack and cheddar cheeses, allowing them to create a melted, gooey surface.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.

Step 9: Rest the Chicken

Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and flavors to fully develop.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and parsley over the chicken. Serve immediately, showcasing the rich, savory flavors of the BBQ Bacon Monterey Chicken.

Handy Tips For Chilis Copycat Monterey Chicken

• Seal in Moisture: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent soggy texture.
• Choose Quality Barbecue Sauce: Select a thick, flavorful barbecue sauce that complements the chicken's natural taste without overpowering it.
• Control Bacon Crispness: Cook bacon until just crisp to maintain its crunchy texture when sprinkled over the chicken.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Grate cheese fresh for optimal melting and even coverage across the chicken breasts.
• Temperature Check: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F for safe and juicy results.

Tasty Variations Of Chilis Copycat Monterey Chicken

• Spicy Southwest Spin: Replace barbecue sauce with chipotle or sriracha sauce, add diced jalapeños, and swap monterey jack for pepper jack cheese for a fiery kick.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Substitute barbecue sauce with sun-dried tomato pesto, top with crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle with oregano and chopped kalamata olives.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Use sugar-free barbecue sauce, replace bacon with crispy prosciutto, and choose full-fat cheese varieties to maintain low-carb requirements.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Omit cheese, use nutritional yeast for flavor, replace bacon with turkey bacon or coconut bacon bits, and brush with homemade sugar-free barbecue sauce.

What Goes Well With Chilis Copycat Monterey Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the rich, smoky flavors of the chicken with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the cheese and bacon's richness.
• Refresh with Zesty Side Salad: Create a light green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the heavy, decadent main dish and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Match with Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts tossed with olive oil, garlic, and a touch of sea salt to add nutritional balance and complement the chicken's savory profile.

How To Store Chilis Copycat Monterey Chicken The Easy Way

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags, preserving the chicken for up to 2 months with minimal flavor loss.
• Warm chicken at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying and maintain moisture, ensuring cheese melts smoothly and chicken remains tender.
• Reheat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, adding a small splash of chicken broth to keep the meat juicy and prevent rubbery texture.

Chilis Copycat Monterey Chicken Questions Answered

• Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute monterey jack and cheddar with provolone, swiss, or pepper jack for similar melting qualities and flavor profiles.

• Is it possible to make this recipe healthier?

Definitely. Use turkey bacon, reduce cheese quantity, choose low-sugar barbecue sauce, and bake instead of pan-searing to minimize added fats.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cut into the thickest part of the chicken to ensure no pink remains.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can season and sear chicken, place in a covered dish, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before final baking. Add cheese and bacon just before cooking to maintain crispness.

Chilis Copycat Monterey Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Monterey Chicken brings Mexican-inspired comfort straight to your dinner table with juicy grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and melted cheese. Packed with bold flavors and simple ingredients, this hearty dish will satisfy your craving for a restaurant-quality meal at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Cheese and Topping:

• 4 slices bacon
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Season chicken breasts thoroughly with salt and black pepper, ensuring even distribution of the spices across both sides.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and developing a rich exterior crust.
4. Transfer the seared chicken to the prepared baking dish and generously brush each piece with barbecue sauce, coating them completely.
5. Cook the bacon in the same skillet until crisp and perfectly rendered, then chop or crumble into small pieces.
6. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the barbecue-coated chicken breasts, creating an even layer of smoky, crunchy topping.
7. Layer monterey jack and cheddar cheeses over each chicken breast, allowing the cheeses to melt and create a luxurious, gooey surface.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
9. Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and flavors to settle.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and parsley, adding a bright, fresh finish to the dish.
11. Serve immediately, allowing the melted cheese and crispy bacon to showcase the rich, savory flavors of this Monterey chicken.

Notes

• Choose chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and better spice adherence.
• Use thick-cut bacon for maximum crunch and richer flavor profile, which complements the cheese beautifully.
• Swap barbecue sauce with low-sugar or sugar-free alternatives for a healthier version without compromising taste.
• For gluten-free adaptation, verify barbecue sauce ingredients and use certified gluten-free bacon.
• Consider using turkey bacon as a leaner protein option that still delivers incredible smoky notes.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack or smoked gouda for exciting flavor variations.
• Allow chicken to rest after cooking to lock in moisture and prevent tough, chewy meat texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 110mg