This Chili’s Copycat Monterey Chicken recipe takes minutes to prep. Then, sit back and relax while the chicken smothered with barbecue sauce, bacon, tomatoes and cheese bakes to perfection.
This is one of my hero dishes. 🙂 (Alice Springs Chicken is my other one!)
It’s a copycat of Chili’s Monterey Chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken is coated with barbecue sauce, topped with bacon and, of course, Monterey Jack cheese. Fresh tomatoes and green onions finish this beauty.
When I announce that we’re having Monterey Chicken for dinner, I get a hugs, smiles, thank you’s…I’m elevated to hero status…at least until it’s time to do dishes. It’s a nice feeling. Everyone needs a few of these recipes in their life.
You’re going to love this recipe because:
- It takes minutes to prepare and then it’s all hands-off cook time. Perfect for entertaining.
- You can make it ahead of time and then just pull it out of the refrigerator and bake it. (Also perfect for entertaining or busy nights.)
- It tastes just like Chili’s recipe by the same name, but you can enjoy it in the comfort of your home, any time you want!
My other “specialty” dish, as the family calls it, is Alice Springs Chicken. Even though the flavors are very different in each recipe, the easy preparation and unique flavor combinations make them feel like close cousins. If you feel like eating out, but don’t feel like dining out and you don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen either, these recipes have your back!
Monterey Chicken Tips and Tricks
1. Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a baking dish and spread your favorite barbecue sauce over the top of each piece of chicken. Use a low-sugar version to keep the dish low-carb.
2. Top the chicken with a sprinkling of traditional bacon or turkey bacon. Use large pieces of bacon or crumbled pieces. I find smaller pieces are easier when cutting the finished chicken dish.
For the easy prep version, cook bacon in the microwave oven. Place several sheets of paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Place slices of bacon on top of the paper towels and cover the bacon with several more paper towels. Cook bacon for about 3 minutes and then crumble by hand or with cooking shears.
3. Layer chopped tomatoes on top of the bacon. Plum or roma tomatoes are easy to work with. If using diced tomatoes that are canned, drain them first. Putting tomatoes under the cheese ensures tomato goodness in almost every bite!
4. Top the chicken off with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and bake!
If this is the first time you’ve tried Monterey Chicken, you’ll wonder why you’ve never tried it before. If you’ve had it before, then you may wonder why you have never tried this at home!
Monterey Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled (traditional or turkey bacon)
- 4 plum tomatoes diced
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup green onion sliced thin (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place chicken in a baking dish and cover with barbecue sauce.
- Top with bacon, tomatoes and cheese, reserving a little of each for garnish if desired.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F and chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish with green onions and other toppings if using.
Notes
Nutrition
Other Copycat Recipes you might enjoy:
- Panera Macaroni and Cheese by Shugary Sweets
- Bonefish Grill Lightened-Up Bang Bang Chicken or Shrimp
- Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce by CopyKat Recipes
- Silver Palate’s Chicken Marbella
Paula - bell'alimento
I think I’ve found my new hero dish too ; )
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
I love this chicken at chili’s!! So excited to make it at home!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Oh wow this looks incredible!
The Food Hunter
always looking for new chicken recipes.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
Oooh! I saw this on Pinterest the other day and was intrigued. It sounds awesome! I’m all for Chili’s copycat recipes. 🙂
Martha @ A Family Feast
I just found dinner! 🙂 We have all of the ingredients to make this TONIGHT!
Cookin Canuck
I can see why your family gets excited when you make this dish. I’ve never tried this at Chili’s, but definitely want to try it at home!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
Simple and delish! And I’ll gladly devour anything with bacon! 🙂
Megan Keno {Country Cleaver}
Well don’t mind if I do!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina
I’ve never had this before, but I do love bacon! Who doesn’t, right?
[email protected]
Bacon!!!! This looks great.
Steph @ Steph in Thyme
Perfect meal for a summer dinner on the back patio!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence
I pretty much love everything with bacon, including THIS :)!!
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats
Wow I love all the flavors going on here! Mouth watering!
Ginny McMeans
I love the use of barbecue sauce to your topping. Sounds wonderful!
Anita
What a great easy dish! love the colors and flavors!
Whitni @ A Cookie & A Kiss
This looks so yummy! And super easy AND healthy! A must!
Marjory
Thanks Whitni!
Lizzie
This sounds like such an easy, flavoursome dish! Great tips for keeping it simple too, though I’d never cook bacon in the microwave! It looks similar to hunters’ chicken.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
Yummy. This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to make this for my hubby and the hero! Great recipe!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
OMG you have me drooling here! This is better than pizza, if I may say so!
Amy @ The Cook Report
What an amazing looking combination! You really can’t beat chicken, bacon and cheese
Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze
I’ve never had Chili’s version but I love how easy you make it look!
Jen
I actually made this tonight, it was easy to throw together for a busy weeknight meal. I used canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (drained) as that’s what I had on hand. Didn’t have green onions, didn’t miss them. There was alot of liquid when it was done, it was just meh for me.
Marjory
Thanks for your feedback. You have to be a fan of BBQ flavor for this one. If you have extra sauce, then spoon it over the top!