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    Home » Main Dish

    Homemade Monterey Chicken Recipe

    By Jill Baird · Published April 25, 2023 · 8 Comments

    Monterey Chicken recipe, chicken monterey recipe.

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    easy Monterey Chicken recipe
    Classic Monterey Chicken
    Classic Monterey Chicken
    This incredibly easy and delicious chicken recipe is a family favorite every time!

    This Homemade Monterey Chicken Recipe is an easy weekday meal that's fancy enough for company too.  This grilled chicken recipe is juicy chicken, crispy bacon and sweet barbecue sauce.  Your family will ask for this again and again. 

    ingredients for Monterey Chicken, monterey jack chicken
    Jump to:
    • What is Monterey Chicken?
    • Ingredients In Monterey Chicken
    • How to Make Homemade Bacon Bits
    • How to Make Monterey Chicken
    • Easy Monterey Chicken
    • Best Chicken Recipes: 

    What is Monterey Chicken?

    Chicken Monterey is a classic Clilli's recipe.  This copycat version of Chili's famous smothered chicken features a grilled chicken breast, smothered with barbeque sauce, pepper jack cheese (a spicer version of Monterey Jack Cheese), and bacon bits. It a restaurant-quality recipe you can make at home in 30 minutes or less.

    chicken for monterey chicken and ingredients, oven bbq chicken breast.

    Ingredients In Monterey Chicken

    • Chicken-  Boneless skinless chicken breast works great.  You can also use chicken thighs for this recipe.
    • Salt and Pepper- Season before you bake
    • BBQ Sauce-- Use your favorite.  We love Sweet Baby Rays and Jack Daniels
    • Cheese- Monterey Jack Cheese is typically what is used in a Chili's Copycat version but we love to use Pepper Jack Cheese.  If your family loves a little spice, it's the perfect addition to this amazing smothered chicken recipe. 
    • Bacon Bits- You can use homemade bacon bits or buy bacon bits.  If you plan to buy bacon bits, the precooked bacon bits work great.  You can add them when you add the cheese and they will crisp up great when broiling the cheese. 
    • Green Onions- Thinly sliced green onions are a fresh and delicious addition to this recipe.  
    • Tomatoes- Tomatoes are traditionally used for the copycat recipe.  You can even have them available on the side for anyone who loves fresh tomatoes.  
    MOnterey chicken with side salad

    How to Make Homemade Bacon Bits

    1. Take the bacon out of the packaging and cut into ¼? slices.
    2. In a large saucepan, on the stove, saute the bacon bits for 3-5 minutes on medium heat until the bacon bits turn a light golden color and are just a little crispy.
    3. Drain the bacon bits on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the grease.

    How to Make Monterey Chicken

    1. It's best to use boneless skinless chicken breasts.  You can also use chicken thighs for this recipe.  
    2. Tenderize your chicken by covering your chicken breast with some plastic wrap and giving it a few good whacks with the bottom of a jar or heavy glass cup.  This will flatten out the thickest part of the chicken breast and also break up the tissue just a little to make it more tender and moist. 
    3. Salt and Pepper the chicken
    4. Grill or bake the chicken breast.  
    5. Use a digital thermometer and take off the heat when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. 
    6. Place in a 9 by 13 " baking dish.
    7. Smother with your favorite BBQ sauce
    8. Add shredded cheese and bacon bits.
    9. Broil in the oven for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is golden and crispy
    10. Add thinly sliced green onions and tomatoes. (optional)

    Variations

    • Classic Monterey Chicken: This version of Monterey Chicken is the traditional recipe that has been loved by many for decades. It features juicy chicken breasts topped with BBQ sauce, crispy bacon bits, and melted cheese, all served on a bed of rice pilaf.
    • Spicy Monterey Chicken: For those who like it hot, this spicy variation of Monterey Chicken is the way to go. It's made using the classic recipe, but with the addition of jalapeno peppers, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
    • Monterey Chicken Salad: If you're looking for a lighter option, try this chicken salad. It's made with grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and a creamy ranch dressing for a refreshing and healthy meal.
    Monterey Chicken--an easy and delicious meal for any week day or fancy enough for company. Everyone loves Monterey Chicken! thecarefreekitchen.com
    Print

    Easy Monterey Chicken

    This Homemade Monterey Chicken Recipe is an easy weekday meal that's fancy enough for company too.  This grilled chicken recipe is juicy chicken, crispy bacon and sweet barbecue sauce.  Your family will ask for this again and again. 
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
    cooling time 2 minutes minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 505kcal

    Ingredients

    • 6 small Chicken Breast Boneless, skinless (plan on about 6 ounces of chicken per person)
    • 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil or cother cooking oil (If pan searing)
    • ½ Cup Barbecue Sauce (your favorite)
    • 1 Cup Pepper Jack Cheese (shredded)
    • ½ Cup Bacon Bits pre-cooked or homeade
    • 2 Tablespoons Green Onion thinly sliced

    Instructions

    How to Make Copycat Chili's Monterey Chicken

    • Tenderize your chicken by covering your chicken breast with some plastic wrap and giving it a few good whacks with the bottom of a jar or heavy glass cup.  This will flatten out the thickest part of the chicken breast and also break up the tissue just a little to make it more tender and moist. 
    • Salt and Pepper the chicken
    • Place chicken on the grill or in the oven and cook. Use a digital thermometer and take off the heat when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. 
    • Place cooked chicken in a 9 by 13 " baking dish.
    • Smother with your favorite BBQ sauce
    • Add shredded cheese and bacon bits.
    • Broil in the oven for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is golden and crispy
    • Add thinly sliced green onions and tomatoes. (optional)

    Homemade Bacon Bits

    • Take the bacon out of the packaging and cut into ¼? slices.
    • In a large saucepan, on the stove, saute the bacon bits for 3-5 minutes on medium heat until the bacon bits turn a light golden color and are just a little crispy.
    • Drain the bacon bits on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the grease.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 59g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 161mg | Sodium: 957mg | Potassium: 935mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 286IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 1mg

    Best Chicken Recipes: 

    • Rosemary Garlic Chicken Breasts Marinade
    • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
    • Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
    • Parmesan Ranch Chicken
    • Simple Oven Baked Chicken Breast
    • Grilled Chicken Teriyaki
    • Flamin Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders
    • Crockpot Chicken Teriyaki
    • Alice Springs Chicken Recipe
    • More Chicken Recipes
    Monterey Chicken is a family favorite. It's easy enough for a weekday meal and fancy enough for company. thecarefreekitchen.com

    This Monterey Chicken recipe is an easy weekday meal that's fancy enough for company too.  This grilled chicken recipe is juicy chicken, crispy bacon and sweet barbecue sauce, what's there not to love!?!

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