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Easy Monterey Chicken Recipe (Quick & Flavorful!)

Easy Monterey Chicken Recipe

Juicy barbecue-sauced chicken breasts are topped with crisp bacon, melted Monterey Jack cheese, tomato, and green onion for a quick and flavorful dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Seasoning
  • 4 breasts Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
Toppings
  • 1/2 cup Barbecue sauce
  • 4 slices Cooked and crumbled bacon
  • 1 cup Shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Monterey Jack/cheddar blend
  • 1/2 cup Diced tomato
  • 2 green onions Thinly sliced green onions

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. If the chicken breasts are very thick, pound them to an even thickness so they cook uniformly.
  2. Pat the chicken dry, then season both sides with kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 3–4 minutes per side, until lightly browned.
  4. Brush the tops of the chicken breasts with the barbecue sauce.
  5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for approximately 10–15 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F.
  6. Top each chicken breast with the crumbled bacon and shredded cheese. Return the skillet to the oven for 2–3 minutes, until the cheese melts.
  7. Garnish with diced tomato and sliced green onion. Serve immediately with additional barbecue sauce if desired.

Notes

Use an instant-read thermometer and remove the chicken as soon as it reaches 165°F. Cook the bacon until crisp and drain it well before adding it to the chicken. For faster, more even cooking, use chicken cutlets or slice large chicken breasts horizontally into thinner pieces.