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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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This is what I order EVERY time I go to Chili’s!
Pinned!
Thanks for sharing on Your Whim’s Wednesday
This looks so good! Yum!! I have a copycat recipes cook book that I purchased on QVC years ago, this has inspired me to get it out and see what all I can make. Pinning!
Ugh, that sounds amazing! So glad it came out good, I love the additions. 🙂
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.
You can definitely bake it easily! Just put on the bbq sauce about 5 minutes before the chicken is cooked through, still yummy!
I want to make this tonight! It looks so yummy. What if I don’t have a grill though? Any alternatives to cooking it?
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!!
Super yum! A definite must try!! Thanks for making me drool 🙂
This looks fantastic! I’ll keep this in mind for the next time we grill chicken! 🙂
Oh man, that would be so much fun! Although we would probably gain 20ish pounds… lol!
what a yummy grilling recipe. Thanks for linking up and I have pinned this to our #fridayfrenzy board. http://www.stayingclosetohome.com/craft-recipe-party-fridayfrenzy-514.html
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. 🙂
Wow, YUM!!! Definitely pinning this one. Now I just need a grill!!
SITS Girls ♥
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
Dana, thank you so much fro sharing this gorgeous chicken with us at Treasure Box Tuesday!! I am sharing on Facebook this morning! ♥