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Monterey Chicken

Monterey chicken features golden grilled (pan-seared) chicken breasts smothered in tangy BBQ sauce and topped with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a melted Monterey Jack cheese blanket. Broiling finishes the cheesy top until it’s bubbly and golden in spots for a restaurant-style chicken dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp pepper
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 cup BBQ sauce
  • 8 bacon
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 0.25 cup diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives

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 the BBQ sauce. Marinate for 10 minutes so the flavor soaks in.
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. Cook until the thickest part reaches 165°F, with the surface looking browned.
Top and bake-broil
  1. Brush each breast with the remaining BBQ sauce, then top with the caramelized onions followed by 2 bacon strips per breast. Keep the toppings piled in a visible layer over the chicken.
  2. Pile the Monterey Jack cheese generously over each breast until fully covered. Make sure the cheese layer is thick enough to spill slightly at the edges.
  3. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and golden in spots. Remove when you see browned blistered areas on the surface.
Finish and serve
  1. Garnish with diced tomatoes and fresh chives, then serve immediately. The topping should look fresh and the cheese should still be hot and gooey.

Notes

Pro tip: caramelize the onions until deeply golden before topping, since they’ll add sweetness that balances the BBQ sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat gently so the cheese stays creamy. Freezing isn’t recommended because the cheese and bacon topping can lose texture after thawing. For a dietary swap, use thick-cut turkey bacon and a reduced-sodium BBQ sauce to lower saturated fat and sodium.