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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Season chicken breasts thoroughly with salt and black pepper, ensuring even distribution of the spices across both sides.
- 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.
- Transfer the seared chicken to the prepared baking dish and generously brush each piece with barbecue sauce, coating them completely.
- Cook the bacon in the same skillet until crisp and perfectly rendered, then chop or crumble into small pieces.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the barbecue-coated chicken breasts, creating an even layer of smoky, crunchy topping.
- Layer monterey jack and cheddar cheeses over each chicken breast, allowing the cheeses to melt and create a luxurious, gooey surface.
- 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.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and flavors to settle.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and parsley, adding a bright, fresh finish to the dish.
- 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