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.
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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.
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.
How to Make 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.
How to Make Monterey Chicken
- It's best to use boneless skinless chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs for this recipe.
- 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
- Grill or bake the chicken breast.
- Use a digital thermometer and take off the heat when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Place 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)
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.
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.
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
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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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