Monterey Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
499 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Monterey Chicken
Description
In this Monterey Chicken recipe, bacon is first cooked until crisp in an oven-safe skillet, leaving flavorful bacon fat to sear thinly sliced chicken breasts seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. After searing, each piece of chicken is topped with barbecue sauce, a blend of Mexican or Monterey Jack cheese, and cooked bacon bits. The skillet is baked and broiled briefly to melt the cheese and fully cook the chicken to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Finally, fresh chopped tomato and scallions are added as toppings to introduce brightness and texture contrast.
The combination of smoky bacon, tangy barbecue sauce, and creamy melted cheese creates layered savory flavors alongside the tender chicken. The method of searing then finishing in the oven helps the chicken stay juicy while developing a nicely browned coating.
For those without an oven-safe skillet, transferring the chicken to a baking dish after searing is a useful alternative. This dish can be served immediately for best texture and flavor.
Ingredients
- 6 trips Bacon
- 2 large chicken breast
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 cup BBQ sauce use your fave
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend or Monterey Jack, shredded
- 1 small-to-medium tomato chopped
- 1/3 cup scallions chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
- Cut the bacon into small pieces (I do this quickly using kitchen shears). Cook it in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate, and leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
- Meanwhile, cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make 4 thinner cutlets. Season the chicken pieces with the garlic powder and salt & pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the chicken to the skillet and sear for 4 minutes/side until lightly golden.
- Once the chicken has been seared, take the skillet off the heat. Spread the BBQ sauce equally over the top of each piece of chicken, then sprinkle the cheese over top, followed by the bacon.
- Place the skillet in the oven for 5-7 minutes, and then broil for a couple of minutes until the chicken is cooked through (165F) and the cheese is nicely melted.
- Top the chicken with the tomatoes and scallions, and enjoy immediately with the pan sauce served over mashed potatoes, rice, etc.
Notes
- If an oven-safe skillet is unavailable, transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish before adding toppings and baking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 499 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 499kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 121mg | 40% |
| Sodium | 1259mg | 52% |
| Potassium | 773mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 25g | 50% |
| Vitamin A | 730IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 225mg | 23% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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