Monterey Chicken

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Monterey chicken, an easy grilled bbq chicken topped with BACON and melty cheese. This Monterey chicken recipe is a fun chili’s copycat recipe and perfect for any weeknight meal.

Monterey chicken, an easy grilled bbq chicken topped with BACON and melty cheese. #recipe from ThisSillyGirlsKitchen.com #montereychicken #grilledchicken #bbqchicken #chicken

Monterey Chicken

Woo hoo! It’s time for another grilling recipe! I’m super pumped to share today’s recipe because it’s a copycat, I got to grill; that means easy cleanup AND it came out way better than I imagined it would.

So, yea you’re really in for a treat today!

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.) Jeremy gets the Monterey Chicken and it’s always great.

I love the combination of bacon, cheese, and bbq sauce. I’ve made chicken Monterey at home a couple times in the oven but taking it out on the grill is where it’s at!

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Monterey chicken, an easy grilled bbq chicken topped with BACON and melty cheese. #recipe from ThisSillyGirlsKitchen.com #montereychicken #grilledchicken #bbqchicken #chicken

It’s insane how easy this is to whip up as well!

One trick I have for making a successful dinner while grilling out is to take your sides, everything out to the grill with you!

I was boiling away some potatoes for some garlic mash while cooking the chicken. That way you don’t have to keep running back inside to check the stove, easy!

I also always get my grill station ready before heading outside. This way I won’t forget anything and have to run back inside. Try using a tray like this one here! 

Monterey chicken, an easy grilled bbq chicken topped with BACON and melty cheese. #recipe from ThisSillyGirlsKitchen.com #montereychicken #grilledchicken #bbqchicken #chicken

Monterey chicken chili’s copycat – you can’t go wrong with this crowd-pleasing meal! You can also make this into a Monterey chicken sandwich.

Chicken Monterey Directions

  • Before we start grilling, cut bacon in medium dice and cook it in a skillet over medium-low heat until crispy. Set aside.
  • Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and the dried spices.
  • Heat grill over high heat for at least 5 minutes. Grease grates, place chicken on grill over medium heat. Let cook until almost done, an internal temperature of about 150 degrees.
  • When the chicken has an internal temperature of 150 degrees, baste with BBQ sauce on both sides and continue cooking until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. (Don’t baste the chicken as soon as it hits the grill or else the sugars in the BBQ sauce will burn.)
  • When chicken is cooked through, place half of the bacon on top of each piece. Mix the cheeses together and spread evenly over each piece.
  • Place top of the grill down and let the cheese melt, this will only take a couple minutes.
    Serve and enjoy!

Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer like this one!

 

Monterey chicken, an easy grilled bbq chicken topped with BACON and melty cheese. #recipe from ThisSillyGirlsKitchen.com #montereychicken #grilledchicken #bbqchicken #chicken

Yummm, doesn’t that look amazing?! It made for a very satisfying meal, served with the mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts! I will be making this recipe, again and again, this summer on the grill!

What’s your favorite dish to grill out??

How to make Monterey Chicken like Chili’s

Monterey Chicken

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken, grill, monterey chicken
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 675kcal
This recipe is enough for two portions. So, just double or triple the ingredients as required!
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts boneless skinless
  • 1/4 Cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 Cup Monterey/Cheddar blend cheese or just cheddar is good!
  • 4 slices bacon
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

  • Before we start grilling, cut bacon in medium dice and cook it in a skillet over medium-low heat until crispy. Set aside. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and the dried spices.
  • Heat grill over high heat for at least 5 minutes. Grease grates, place chicken on grill over medium heat. Let cook until almost done. When the chicken has an internal temperature of 150 degrees, baste with BBQ sauce on both sides and continue cooking until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. (Don't baste the chicken as soon as it hits the grill or else the sugars in the BBQ sauce will burn.)
  • When chicken is cooked through, place half of the bacon on top of each piece. Mix the cheeses together and spread evenly over each piece.
  • Place top of the grill down and let the cheese melt, this will only take a couple minutes. Serve. 

Nutrition

Calories: 675kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 61g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 200mg | Sodium: 1476mg | Potassium: 1110mg | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 9.7% | Vitamin C: 3.8% | Calcium: 21.9% | Iron: 8.9%

Don’t forget to go see Parrish’s recipe for Grilled Everything Chicken!

This post was slightly updated on 7/07/2018.

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'Til Next time!

Dana @ This Silly Girl's Life
 

About Dana DeVolk

Dana is a professional Chef turned blogger, recipe developer, food photographer, and more! Her passion is writing about food and posting recipes while offering tips and tricks of the trade. She lives in Florida with her Hubby and four fur babies.

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**This post may contain affiliate links to products I use or are similar to items mentioned in this post. If you purchase a product from a link used, This Silly Girls Kitchen will receive a small commission. Thank you for helping to support this website and keep the recipes and information provided free to you!**

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37 Comments at Monterey Chicken

  7. Janine Huldie says:
    May 15, 2014

    http://thissillygirlskitchen.com

    My husband and I love Chili’s too and have ordered this in the past and enjoyed it. So, I am going to try your copycat hopefully very soon for us. Thanks for sharing at the Pin It Hop once again today 🙂

    Reply
  17. Emily says:
    May 17, 2014

    http://thissillygirlskitchen.com

    that chicken looks amazing! thank you so much for linking up to Create Link Inspire! I just wanted to let you know that I’m featuring your recipe today in a Chicken Recipes post. I’ve shared it all over my social media and tagged you where I could. I would really appreciate any reshares! Have a great weekend! Emily@nap-timecreations

    Reply
  19. Gina says:
    May 18, 2014

    http://thissillygirlskitchen.com

    I think we would be dangerous in the kitchen together. This is totally something I would make – YUM! Think of all the amazing things we could come up with together. 🙂

    Reply
  23. Elizabeth says:
    May 23, 2014

    http://thissillygirlskitchen.com

    Thank you! I have a similar recipe only I call it Western Chicken. It always makes my mouth water! Love it. Thanks for posting and that tomato and corn salad looks yum!!

    Reply
  25. Tim in TN says:
    May 3, 2015

    http://thissillygirlskitchen.com

    Made this tonight. Awesome. I brined the chicken first and sprinkled fresh avocado and tomato with the bacon over the top. It was a surefire hit. Thank you. Will become part of our summer grilling rotation.

    Reply
  30. Chloe Crabtree says:
    July 2, 2015

    http://thissillygirlskitchen.com

    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!

    Reply
  31. Alissa says:
    September 9, 2015

    http://thissillygirlskitchen.com

    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!

    Reply
    1. Dana DeVolk says:
      September 9, 2015

      http://thissillygirlskitchen.com

      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!

      Reply
  32. Tresa Daniels Thompson says:
    October 15, 2015

    http://thissillygirlskitchen.com

    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

    Reply
  33. Kelly says:
    September 9, 2016

    http://thissillygirlskitchen.com

    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!

    Reply

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