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Monterey Chicken is an easy grilled BBQ chicken topped with bacon and melted cheese. This recipe is a fun Chili’s copycat and perfect for any weeknight meal.
Who is ready for a ultra delicious grilling recipe! I love grilling season, it is one of my favorite times of the year, because we grill out a lot and we literally never get sick of it.
I also love copycat recipes and this Monterey Chicken Recipe is one for the books. It is so delicious and so easy that you will want to make it over and over again.
Imagine juicy chicken breasts, crisp bacon and tangy BBQ sauce all coming together with an easy recipe. Does it get any better than that?
Every time we go out to Chili’s (which is about every 3-4 months, we have one a couple miles from our house so it’s pretty convenient.) My husband gets the Monterey Chicken and it’s always great.
We love the combination of bacon, cheese, and BBQ sauce. I’ve made Monterey Chicken at home a couple times in the oven but taking it out on the grill is where it’s at!
Chicken recipes are something my whole family loves. When it reminds me of a Chili’s restaurant, I can’t help but go for it.
Let’s jump into why this Monterey Chicken is something I keep coming back to over and over!
Some of my other favorite grilling recipes that we have include Mustard Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, Easy Grilled Asparagus and Herb Marinated Grilled Pork Chops.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- With minimal ingredients it’s an easy dinner that whips up in no time.
- This easy recipe can be doubled to serve a larger family. No problem!
- This only takes 15 minutes get fully cooked chicken!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Thick-cut bacon
- Chicken breasts
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Mozzarella cheese
- Monterey/Cheddar blend cheese
- BBQ sauce
HOW TO MAKE MONTEREY CHICKEN:
- Place the bacon into a medium-sized skillet over medium-low heat and cook until crispy, drain on a paper towel-lined plate, set aside.
- Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Place on a plate until ready to grill.
- Place chicken on the grill over medium heat. Let cook until almost done.
- When the chicken has an internal temperature of 150°F, baste with BBQ sauce on both sides and continue cooking until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. (Don’t baste the chicken as soon as it hits the grill or else the sugars in the BBQ sauce will burn.)
- When the chicken is cooked through, place half of the bacon on top of each piece.
- Top with the cheese.
- Place the top of the grill down and let the cheese melt, this will only take a couple of minutes. Serve immediately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
CAN I PUT THE BBQ SAUCE ON AS SOON AS I START GRILLING?
Don’t baste the chicken as soon as it hits the grill or else the sugars in the BBQ sauce will burn.
And we don’t want that!
WHAT IS MONTEREY CHICKEN?
Monterey Chicken is a delicious chicken recipe that features grilled BBQ chicken breasts topped with crispy bacon and melty cheese.
This dish is a fun Chili’s copycat recipe that combines the flavors of tangy barbecue sauce, gooey cheese, and smoky bacon, making it a favorite for many.
WHAT CUT OF CHICKEN IS THE BEST TO USE?
Boneless skinless chicken breasts are the best for this recipe.
They cook evenly and become juicy when grilled over medium-high heat.
You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer a richer flavor and juicier texture.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Winner winner chicken dinner! This is a great option for any time of the week.
I’ve go some extra ingredients here that might make this monterey chicken dish even better.
- Green Onions: Sprinkle chopped green onions on top of the melted cheese for extra flavor and color.
- Rotel Tomatoes: Add some diced Rotel tomatoes for a bit of tang and spice.
- Jalapenos: Slice fresh jalapenos for a spicy kick.
- Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan for added richness.
- Bell Peppers: Grill some bell pepper slices along with the chicken for a tasty side.
- Avocado: Top with sliced avocado for a creamy texture.
- Sour Cream: Add a dollop of sour cream for a cool contrast to the tangy barbecue sauce.
- Fresh Cilantro: Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for a burst of freshness.
- Bacon Bits: Add extra bacon bits for more crunch and flavor.
- Chili powder: For a little fire and spice.
- Crushed Red Pepper: Sprinkle a pinch for added heat.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
To get your daily values in flavor, check out this list. You can decide what the best way is.
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless chicken thighs for a juicier alternative.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Substitute with Monterey Jack cheese or Pepper Jack for a bit of spice.
- BBQ Sauce: Use a tangy barbecue sauce or even homemade BBQ sauce for different flavors.
- Bacon: Turkey bacon can be used for a lower-fat option.
- Kosher Salt: Substitute with sea salt or Himalayan pink salt.
- Shredded Cheese: Use Colby Jack or a cheddar blend for a different cheese flavor.
HOW TO STORE:
This easy Monterey Chicken Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze for up to 3 months.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- You can easily double this recipe to serve a larger family.
- We completely recommend a using a good meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is properly cooked.
- You can use any cheese you want, but Cheddar and Mozzarella are the usuals.
- You can use any BBQ sauce you like, test out different flavors to see what you like best or make your own Homemade BBQ Sauce.
- We like to chop our bacon and cook it in a skillet beforehand, but you could also leave it whole and place it on the chicken itself.
Monterey Chicken is a fantastic dish that everyone will love.
Enjoy with extra bbq sauce and your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.
An easy chicken recipe like this one is sure to please!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this MONTEREY CHICKEN, let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Copycat Chili’s Monterey Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon medium-diced
- 2 chicken breasts boneless skinless
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place the bacon into a medium-sized skillet over medium-low heat and cook until crispy, drain on a paper towel-lined plate, set aside.4 slices thick-cut bacon
- Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Place on a plate until ready to grill.2 chicken breasts boneless skinless, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Place chicken on the grill over medium heat. Let cook until almost done.
- When the chicken has an internal temperature of 150°F, baste with BBQ sauce on both sides and continue cooking until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. (Don’t baste the chicken as soon as it hits the grill or else the sugars in the BBQ sauce will burn.)1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- When the chicken is cooked through, place half of the bacon on top of each piece.
- Top with the cheese.1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Place the top of the grill down and let the cheese melt, this will only take a couple of minutes. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can easily double this recipe to serve a larger family.
- We completely recommend a using a good meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is properly cooked.
- You can use any cheese you want, but Cheddar and Mozzarella are the usuals.
- You can use any BBQ sauce you like, test out different flavors to see what you like best or make your own Homemade BBQ Sauce.
- We like to chop our bacon and cook it in a skillet beforehand, but you could also leave it whole and place it on the chicken itself.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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I USED TO ORDER THIS EVERY TIME WE WENT TO cHILI’S. When they discontinued it, (big mistake) I made my own version and it was just like theirs. Easy, quick and delicious
Your Monterey chicken was a big hit with my family. Definitely a winner for me. I used heddar cheese as I’m not able to get Monterey cheese in Australia
So easy but sooooo good. Thanks for recipe.
My favorite store bought bbq sauce is Sweet Baby Ray’s.
What brand of bbq sauce so you use ?
I’ve been looking for a monterey chicken copycat recipe, and decided to go with this. I made it tonight, and it was AWESOME! Thanks for this recipe. I cooked the chicken in a skillet and used precooked bacon for ease, and it was absolutely delicious. So EASY to whip up, and so tasty. We had seasoned oven fries and garlic Parmesan corn on the cob for sides. Very satisfying meal and it will be in regular rotation!
Hi just love the things you have on here just thought I would tell you my. Sick/tired Naunie days recipe spin off this recipe. Tonight was the omg I’m sick and I’m tired taking care of 6 grandkids ranging 6 weeks to 5 yrs. Lol so I am really tired!! So tonight I have everything out to make this sweet dish and got to thinking how to cheat. So I made my own BBQ sauce. Grabbed some fresh onion garlic and green onions then some new potatos did a 1 inch cube spayed my pan cut my chicken in 1 inch cubes layered chicken potatoes bacon chopped .cheese bbq sauce. green onions garlic diced continues till ingredients were go last layer was bacon on top of cheese. Tented with foil baked in 425 for 1hr 20 mins
Sorry I didn’t read this until now. I hope it came out good! I would set the oven to 350 degrees. Cook the chicken until it hits a temperature of 155 degrees, then add the bbq sauce. The chicken is done when internal temp is 165 degrees on the chicken. I’m not exactly sure how long it would need to bake for. It depends on the size of the chicken pieces. You do not need to turn them, but you can if you want. Then, finish then with the bacon and cheese in the oven just for a minute or so until the cheese melts. Hope this helps!
So excited to try this recipe – I’m making it tonight! We don’t have a grill so we’re using the oven. What temp should I set the oven to, and how long should I leave it in? Do I need to flip the chicken? Such a newbie in the kitchen!
This looks so delicious! I am pinning this and will be making this sometime this summer for sure! I am always looking for new chicken recipes! I would love it if you would stop by and share this or one of your other fantastic recipes at my new link party at: Celebrate it Sunday!
Dana, this is wonderful! I am featuring it tonight at Treasure Box Tuesday- thank you for linking up with us! 🙂
This needs to go on the dinner menu this week! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!