Monterey Chicken
Juicy chicken, crispy bacon, smoky BBQ sauce, and a gooey layer of Monterey Jack—it’s a skillet-hug of comfort with bold, melty flavors. Fork-tender chicken, vibrant toppings, and that unmistakable BBQ aroma make this an easy weeknight favorite destined for repeat appearances.
4
servings
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to even thickness
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika smoked paprika if desired
- 1 tsp salt plus more to taste
- 0.5 tsp black pepper plus more to taste
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 0.75 cup (180 ml) barbecue sauce your favorite kind
- 1 cup (100 g) Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 0.5 cup (50 g) cheddar cheese shredded
- 6 slices bacon cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1 large tomato diced
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
Equipment
- Oven-safe skillet
- Tongs
- Plastic Wrap
- Meat mallet
- basting brush
Instructions
- Preheat your broiler to medium-high. Prepare all toppings and have them ready to go.
- Pound chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap to even thickness (about 1/2 inch).
- Pat chicken dry. Season both sides evenly with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil over medium-high in a large oven-safe skillet. Add chicken and sear undisturbed until golden brown on the first side, about 4–5 minutes.
- Flip chicken, brush tops with a generous layer of barbecue sauce (about half the total), and cook the second side another 4–5 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and reads 165°F (74°C).
- Flip chicken once more, brush with remaining barbecue sauce, then pile on Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese evenly over each breast.
- Transfer skillet to the broiler and broil 2–3 minutes, just until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden (watch closely).
- Remove from oven and let chicken rest for several minutes. Top with crumbled bacon, diced tomato, and sliced green onions. Serve hot.
Notes
Swap Monterey Jack for mozzarella, gouda, or pepper jack for extra heat. Use thighs if you prefer juicier chicken. For a lighter meal, skip bacon or use turkey bacon. Delicious on salads, in wraps, or sliced taco-style!
Nutrition
Calories: 565kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 157mg | Sodium: 1015mg | Potassium: 753mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1270IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 320mg | Iron: 1.3mg