Go Back

Monterey Chicken

Monterey chicken with cheesy BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a broiled Monterey Jack cheese blanket. Golden grilled-style chicken breasts are pan-seared and broiled until bubbly and spot-golden, just like a restaurant-style copycat dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 820
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Monterey Chicken
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Use evenly thick breasts for consistent searing.
  • 0.25 tsp salt To taste; helps season the chicken.
  • 0.25 tsp pepper To taste; adds heat and depth.
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder To taste; keeps the flavor savory.
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika To taste; adds a smoky, BBQ-like note.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil For searing in the oven-safe skillet.
  • 0.5 cup BBQ sauce Divided; some for marinade and some for topping.
  • 8 bacon Cooked crispy, then portioned over each breast.
  • 1 onion Thinly sliced and caramelized.
  • 1 tbsp butter Used to caramelize the onions.
  • 2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese Generously pile on for a golden, bubbly top.
  • 0.25 cup diced tomatoes For garnish.
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives For garnish.

Equipment

  • 1 Cast iron skillet

Method
 

Season and marinate
  1. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, then brush with half of the BBQ sauce.
  2. Marinate the seasoned, sauced chicken for 10 minutes to absorb flavor.
Caramelize onions
  1. In a skillet, caramelize the thinly sliced onion in butter until soft and golden.
Sear the chicken
  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.
  2. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then remove the skillet from the heat.
Top and broil
  1. Brush each breast with the remaining BBQ sauce and top with caramelized onions.
  2. Add 2 strips of crispy bacon per breast, then pile Monterey Jack cheese generously over each breast.
  3. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and golden in spots.
Garnish and serve
  1. Garnish with diced tomatoes and fresh chives, then serve immediately.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the chicken breasts similar thickness so they sear evenly; if they’re uneven, gently pound to match before seasoning. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat covered in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the bacon-onion topping and cheese texture won’t be as good after thawing. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat Monterey Jack and lean turkey bacon while keeping the same broiling time for a bubbly top.