Description
Monterey chicken brings sizzling Southern California flavors to your dinner table. Juicy chicken breasts melt with melted cheese, crispy bacon, and tangy barbecue sauce, creating a mouthwatering meal that satisfies you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 3 to 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 to 4 slices cooked applewood smoked bacon
Cheese and Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Garnish and Seasoning:
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- Coarse salt
- Fresh black pepper
Instructions
- Flatten chicken breasts to uniform thickness by gently pounding between plastic wrap sheets using a meat mallet or heavy skillet. Ensure even surface for consistent cooking.
- Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper, creating a balanced flavor profile.
- Pour barbecue sauce over seasoned chicken in a large bowl, ensuring complete coverage. Marinate in refrigerator for 1-2 hours to enhance tenderness and infuse flavors.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius), preparing a baking dish for cooking.
- Transfer marinated chicken to baking dish and cook until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Activate oven’s broiler setting once chicken is fully cooked. Carefully sprinkle shredded cheese over each chicken breast, covering surface evenly.
- Position chicken under broiler for 1-2 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent burning. Cheese should melt smoothly and develop slight golden edges.
- Remove from oven and immediately top with crispy bacon pieces and diced fresh tomatoes. Serve hot, allowing cheese to remain gooey and appetizing.
Notes
- Tenderize chicken breasts carefully to ensure uniform thickness for even cooking.
- Let barbecue sauce work its magic by marinating chicken in the refrigerator to boost flavor depth.
- Bake chicken at precise temperature, monitoring internal heat to guarantee perfect doneness and food safety.
- Transform ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering dish by melting cheese under broiler with careful attention.
- Elevate the final presentation by sprinkling crispy bacon and fresh tomatoes for a burst of color and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking, Broiling
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 100mg