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Monterey Chicken

A family favorite dinner featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with smoky BBQ sauce, crispy applewood smoked bacon, and a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, garnished with fresh tomatoes and green onions.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 1/2 to 2 lbs)
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, divided (preferably sweet and thick)
  • 8 slices applewood smoked bacon (not thick-cut)
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/3 cup diced tomatoes, to serve
  • 2 Tbsp chopped green onions, to serve

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  4. Transfer chicken to a baking dish. Brush each breast with half of the BBQ sauce.
  5. Cook bacon in the skillet until crispy. Drain on paper towels and chop into pieces.
  6. Sprinkle cooked bacon evenly over the chicken breasts.
  7. Mix Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses together and sprinkle over the bacon-topped chicken.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Remove from oven and top with diced tomatoes and chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

For best results, use a sweet and thick BBQ sauce to complement the smoky bacon and cheese. You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a lighter version. Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.

  • Author: Sophie Lane
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Method: Dinner
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 900mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 45g
  • Cholesterol: 130mg