• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
My Cookbook
About Jo
Get in Touch

Craving Home Cooked

Delicious Home Cooked Meals That Everyone Craves

Display Search Bar
Main Menu
Recipe Index
Dinner
30 Minute Meals
One Pot Meals
Desserts
Free EBook
My Cookbook
About Jo
Get in Touch
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Visit my other site: Jo Cooks
Tap to download our free eBook!

Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!





Recipe Index
Dinner
30 Minute Meals
One Pot Meals
Desserts
Free EBook
HomeIngredientPoultry
5 from 2 votes
1 Comment

Monterey Chicken

Total Time30 minutes minutes
Recipe
Print
By: Joanna Cismaru Posted: 09/06/22 Updated: 05/17/24

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for monterey chicken.

Smothered in barbecue sauce, covered in melted cheese, and then topped with crispy bacon, fresh diced tomatoes, and green onions this Monterey Chicken is absolutely delicious! It’s a fantastic way to dress up some simple chicken breasts and is a super easy 30-minute meal!

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Easy Baked Monterey Chicken Recipe
  • Why You’ll Love Monterey Chicken
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How To make Monterey Chicken
  • Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead?
  • Can I Grill The Chicken?
  • Expert Tips
  • Leftovers
  • Other Chicken Recipes To Try
  • Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!
  • Monterey Chicken
  • Did you try this recipe?
4 pieces of monterey chicken on a white platter.

Easy Baked Monterey Chicken Recipe

You will never think of chicken breast as boring ever again after you try this amazing Monterey Chicken! It’s not your average baked chicken that turns out dry and tasteless. Nope! I don’t do dishes with no flavor and flare. It’s not my thing and I also think that chicken breast can have tons of flavor when done well. 

Just like my Honey Mustard Chicken and Marry Me Chicken the chicken breasts in this recipe are baked in sauce, which keeps them super juicy and tender. And in this case, it also infuses them with tasty barbecue sauce. And the melted cheese and crispy bacon on top along with the fresh tomato and sprinkle of green onions just take the dish to the next level.

It’s the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal that your whole family will love. It goes well with any side from Baked Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli to Mexican Rice and Avocado Tomato Salad. 

a monterey chicken breast with mashed potatoes on a plate.

Why You’ll Love Monterey Chicken

  • Quick And Easy! All you need is chicken breast, BBQ sauce, some cheese, bacon, and a few veggies! This is a 6-ingredient recipe that you can whip up in just 30 minutes.
  • BBQ Cheesy Bacon Chicken! Juicy chicken covered in barbecue sauce and then topped with melty cheese and crispy bacon is an amazing addictively good combination. 
  • Make Ahead Meal! You can easily coat the chicken in barbecue sauce, chop the veggies, and cook the bacon the night before. Then just pop it in the oven to bake the next day. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients needed to make monterey chicken.
  • Chicken – I’m using boneless skinless chicken breasts. Ideally, your breasts should all be about the same size so they cook more evenly.
  • Seasonings – Salt and black pepper are used to season the chicken breasts.
  • Barbecue Sauce – Your favorite barbecue sauce will work perfectly.
  • Cheese – Monterey Jack cheese or cheddar cheese are a great choice. Or better yet, use a mixture of them both.
  • Bacon – You can use any kind of cooked and crumbled bacon you like to top the chicken.
  • Tomato –  Adds a touch of freshness to the dish. Any type of tomato is fine.
  • Green Onions – Also called scallions, they are used as both a garnish and to add a subtle touch of onion.

How To make Monterey Chicken

This recipe is super easy! Once you’ve got your chicken in the oven you can prepare the bacon, tomatoes, and green onions. Then once the chicken is cooked all you have to do is top it and serve. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner!

Preheat The Oven

The first thing you need to do is preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) so that it is hot and ready to go once your chicken is seasoned. 

Season The Chicken Breasts

process shots showing how to prep monterey chicken.

For chicken breasts to be really flavorful it’s important to season them well. So first, sprinkle them with salt and pepper on both sides. Then spread half of the barbecue sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish and place the breasts in the dish. Now, brush the rest of the remaining barbecue sauce evenly over the chicken.  

Bake The Cheese

The breasts are seasoned, it’s time to bake! Transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken has an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).

Add The Cheese

monterey chicken with cheese on top in a baking dish.

Now that the chicken is fully cooked, top it with the shredded cheese and place it under the broiler for about 2 to 3 minutes for it to melt. But watch it super close! You want the cheese to melt, but you don’t want it to burn. 

Garnish And Serve

process shots showing how to top monterey chicken.

This is when the Monterey Chicken really starts coming together! Once it’s out of the oven, top the cooked chicken with the diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon, and green onions to serve.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead?

Yes! But I do recommend using boneless and skinless thighs. Just follow the instructions as stated in the recipe. And just like the chicken breasts, the internal temperature of the thighs needs to be at least 165°F (74°C) when checked with a digital meat thermometer to ensure that they are fully cooked through.

Can I Grill The Chicken?

Yes! Grill the chicken until it reaches 165°F (74°C) basting it with the barbecue sauce halfway through. Then when it’s done, top with the cheese, cover the grill with the lid, and let the cheese melt for a few minutes. You can turn the grill off or to the lowest temperature to melt the cheese.

closeup of 2 pieces of monterey chicken breasts in a baking dish.

Expert Tips

  1. Crisp up the bacon. Take the time to cook the bacon to crunchy perfection. It adds a yummy touch of salty savory flavor and a nice crunchiness that contrasts well with the melted cheese and tender baked chicken. 
  2. Temp your chicken. To ensure that the chicken breast is fully cooked, you will want to make sure that the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C) by using an instant-read digital meat thermometer. Temping the chicken also helps to keep you from overcooking it as well.
  3. Add tasty toppings. This Monterey Chicken bake is delicious served exactly as it is, but if you want to jazz it up even more, serve it with a dollop of sour cream, Cheesy Guacamole, or Homemade Buffalo Sauce.

Leftovers

You can store leftover Monterey Chicken breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months! To reheat, just put it in the microwave for about 4 minutes on medium heat or in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 12 minutes. If the chicken is frozen, the best option is to reheat it in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

a monterey chicken breast with mashed potatoes on a plate.

Other Chicken Recipes To Try

  • Baked Chicken Breast
  • Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
  • Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
  • Creamy Herb Chicken
  • Braised Balsamic Chicken
  • Easy Grilled Chicken Breast
  • Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
  • Chicken Cordon Bleu

Craving More? Follow Along:

Free Newsletter

Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!





Pinterest
Facebook
Instagram
4 pieces of monterey chicken on a white platter.
Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Monterey Chicken

Smothered in barbecue sauce, covered in melted cheese, and then topped with crispy bacon, fresh diced tomatoes, and green onions this Monterey Chicken is absolutely delicious! It’s a fantastic way to dress up some simple chicken breasts and is a super easy 30-minute meal!
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 25 minutes mins
Total: 30 minutes mins
Print
Rate
4

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese or cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled up
  • 1 medium tomato finely diced
  • 1 green onion chopped
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Pour half the barbecue sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish, then place the chicken breasts in the dish. Brush the remaining sauce over the chicken breasts.
  • Transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake the chicken for 20 to 25 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken breasts reaches 165°F.
  • Top chicken breasts with shredded cheese and place under the broiler for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
  • Garnish the breasts with diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon and green onions. Serve immediately.

Tips & Notes:

  1. Crisp up the bacon. Take the time to cook the bacon to crunchy perfection. It adds a yummy touch of salty savory flavor and a nice crunchiness that contrasts well with the melted cheese and tender baked chicken. 
  2. Temp your chicken. To ensure that the chicken breast is fully cooked, you will want to make sure that the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C) by using an instant-read digital meat thermometer. Temping the chicken also helps to keep you from overcooking it as well.
  3. Add tasty toppings. This Monterey Chicken bake is delicious served exactly as it is, but if you want to jazz it up even more, serve it with a dollop of sour cream, Cheesy Guacamole, or Homemade Buffalo Sauce.
  4. You can store leftover Monterey Chicken breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months! To reheat, just put it in the microwave for about 4 minutes on medium heat or in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 12 minutes. If the chicken is frozen, the best option is to reheat it in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

nutrition facts

Serving: 1breast Calories: 585kcal (29%) Carbohydrates: 31g (10%) Protein: 59g (118%) Fat: 24g (37%) Saturated Fat: 10g (63%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Monounsaturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 0.1g Cholesterol: 184mg (61%) Sodium: 1607mg (70%) Potassium: 1153mg (33%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 25g (28%) Vitamin A: 741IU (15%) Vitamin C: 8mg (10%) Calcium: 253mg (25%) Iron: 2mg (11%)
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American

before you go!

Did you try this recipe?

Leave us a recipe rating below + tag @cravinghomecooked on instagram and hashtag it #cravinghomecooked!

Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts. Find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Read More

Comfort Food Recipes

Subscribe and receive a FREE copy of my Top 25 Recipes eBook!





shredded cilantro lime chicken over a bed of rice.
Previous Post
Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken
creamy chicken piccata in a black cast iron skillet garnished with parsley and lemon wedges.
Next Post
Creamy Chicken Piccata
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Rate this recipe




guest
Rate this recipe




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

1 Comment
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

sidebar

joanna cismaru headshot.

welcome

Hi and Welcome! I’m Joanna and I’m the creator of this blog. I am a writer, a photographer and a cookbook author.

Read More…

Click to subscribe to new recipes & latest cravings!

Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!




Popular Now

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus

Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus

Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper

sliced up chicken parmesan on a bed of spaghetti in a black bowl.

Chicken Parmesan

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

creamy tuscan chicken pasta in a black skillet.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

a spatula lifting a piece of lasagna from a casserole dish.

The Best Lasagna

chicken club pasta salad in a white bowl.

Chicken Club Pasta Salad

Dinner Recipes

freshly made marry me chicken in a cast iron skillet garnished with parsley.

Marry Me Chicken

Instant Pot Meatloaf

Butter Chicken

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Taco Stuffed Pepper Casserole

freshly made garlic butter steak and potatoes in a skillet.

Garlic Butter Steak And Potatoes

chinese sizzling beef on a bed of rice in a plate.

Chinese Sizzling Beef

chicken fajitas on a tortilla garnished with sour cream and limes.

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Comfort Food Recipes

Subscribe and receive a FREE copy of my 25 Recipe ebook!

Download Now

Subscribe & receive a FREE Comfort Food Recipe Book!





our top ten

most popular recipes

creamy tuscan chicken pasta in a black skillet.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus

Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus

Easy Pasta Alfredo

freshly made marry me chicken in a cast iron skillet garnished with parsley.

Marry Me Chicken

a spatula lifting a piece of lasagna from a casserole dish.

The Best Lasagna

honey garlic chicken bites on a bed of rice in a bowl.

Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

freshly baked blueberry biscuits in a black cast iron skillet.

Blueberry Biscuits

Chicken Spaghetti

Butter Chicken

Browse All

Explore:

Recipe Index
Cookbook
Free eBook
Contact

Follow Along:

Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest

AS FEATURED ON:

parade logo.
thekitchen logo.
msn logo.
bloglovin logo.
Visit My Other Site: Jo Cooks
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
© 2025
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
wpDiscuz

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required