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Monterey Chicken

Monterey chicken is an easy chicken dinner with golden grilled-style skillet searing, tangy BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and broiled Monterey Jack cheese. The cheese melts into a bubbly, golden topping that mimics restaurant-style chicken.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 720
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken breasts
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to taste
Sauce and cooking fat
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.5 cup BBQ sauce
Bacon and onions
  • 8 strips bacon, cooked crispy
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced and caramelized in butter
Cheese and garnish
  • 2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 0.25 cup diced tomatoes for garnish
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Marinate and prep
  1. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to taste, then brush with half the BBQ sauce. Let them marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the skillet and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through to 165°F.
Top and broil
  1. Brush each breast with the remaining BBQ sauce. Top with caramelized onions, then add 2 strips of bacon per breast.
  2. Pile shredded Monterey Jack cheese generously over each breast. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and golden in spots.
Serve
  1. Remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with diced tomatoes and fresh chives, then serve immediately.

Notes

Pro tip: caramelize the onion until golden and jammy so it stays sweet under the BBQ and cheese. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days; reheat in a skillet to re-crisp the edges and refasten the cheese. Freezing is not recommended because the bacon can lose crispness after thawing. For a gluten-free swap, use a BBQ sauce labeled gluten-free.