Monterey Chicken Recipe | Easy Baked And Smothered Chicken

Craving a restaurant-quality meal at home? This Monterey Chicken recipe features juicy baked chicken smothered in tangy barbecue sauce, melted cheese, and crispy bacon, making it a flavorful and easy dish perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

What Makes This Chicken Dish Irresistible

• Minimal ingredients. Make this delicious dish using just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen!
• Quick cook and prep. This smothered chicken is ready in under 30 minutes and makes the perfect weeknight meal.
• Packed with flavor. Juicy chicken, crispy bacon, loads of melty cheddar cheese, and your favorite BBQ sauce team up for an irresistible bite.
• Customizable. Use some of my easy ingredient swaps listed below to switch up this dish to keep dinner time exciting.

This dish is a restaurant-style favorite that’s easy to make at home, offering a combination of textures and flavors that keep you coming back for more.

What Does Monterey Chicken Taste Like?

Monterey Chicken is irresistible because it combines a perfect balance of savory, smoky, cheesy, and tangy flavors in every bite.

The juicy, seasoned chicken serves as a hearty base, while the sweet and smoky barbecue sauce adds depth. Melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese create a rich, gooey topping, and crispy bacon brings a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients To Grab

Check your kitchen for the following ingredient before you get started for an effortless cooking experience:

• Chicken Breasts– Boneless, skinless chicken breasts serve as the hearty base of Monterey Chicken, providing a juicy protein that absorbs the barbecue sauce.
• Bacon– Crispy bacon adds a salty, smoky crunch that enhances the dish’s texture and flavor.
• BBQ Sauce– A sweet, smoky, and tangy barbecue sauce brings bold flavor, adding moisture to the chicken.
• Cheddar Cheese– Cheddar cheese contributes a rich, sharp flavor that melts beautifully.
• Seasonings– A blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika enhances the natural flavors of the chicken while adding depth and a hint of spice to every bite.

Yep, that’s it! Just five simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen are needed to make a dish the whole family is guaranteed to love.

How To Make Monterey Chicken

Cook the bacon. Use your favorite method of cooking bacon. Cook it over medium-low heat in a skillet on the stove top until crispy like I did or bake it in the oven on a sheet pan at 400F for 15 minutes for a healthier and crispier option.

Prepare the chicken. Trim any pieces off of the chicken breasts that need removed. Pound the chicken flat with a meat tenderizer or filet it in half horizontally to create a piece of protein that is around 1-inch thick.

Partially layer and bake. Use a basting brush to coat your chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce. Be generous. The juices from the chicken will dilute the flavor while baking. Place the baking dish with the sauce-coated chicken in a 350F oven for 25 minutes.

Finish layering and bake some more. Remove the dish from the oven, brush with more BBQ sauce, top with shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Return the baking dish to the preheated oven and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F.

Garnish, serve and enjoy! Sprinkle the the top of the prepared Monterey Chicken with parsley or chopped green onions for a pop of color, serve with your favorite sides, and enjoy!

Tips And Tricks

Check out the following tips and tricks before you get started to make sure you have an effortless experience in the kitchen while you’re preparing dinner tonight:

• Pound the chicken thin. Pounding or fileting your chicken breasts thin helps them cook more quickly. This makes the dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
• Use plenty of sauce. The BBQ sauce can be slightly diluted by the juices that are released from the chicken as it is baked. To keep the flavor robust, use a generous amount of BBQ sauce.
• Bake on parchment paper. The BBQ sauce caramelizes as the chicken bakes and can make for a difficult clean up. To make doing the dishes a breeze, line your baking dish with a sheet of parchment paper before assmebling your Monterey chicken.
• Add the cheese at the end. It’s tempting to completely assemble your smothered chicken before you put it in the oven. For a better flavor and texture wait until the last 5-10 minutes of the cooking time before adding the cheese and bacon.

Variations

Use some of these delicious variations to create an irresistible dish your family is guaranteed to ask you to make again next week:

• Use chicken thighs. If you prefer the tenderness or moisture content of chicken thighs, feel free to use them in place of chicken thighs.
• Swap out the sauce. BBQ sauce pairs well with chicken breasts, but you can also swap it with honey mustard, firecracker sauce, or alfredo sauce if you aren’t a fan.
• Try a different cheese. Any shredded cheese works well on this smothered chicken. For the best melt, make sure you shred your own cheese at home.
• Make it with turkey bacon. For a healthier bite, use turkey bacon in place of pork bacon when assembling your Monterey chicken.

What To Eat With Monterey Chicken

If you’re looking for the perfect side dishes to make your Monterey chicken an unforgettable family meal, try one (or all!) of the following sides with it:

• Mashed Potatoes– Their smooth texture balances the crispiness of the bacon and adds a comforting element to the dish.
• Buttered Noodles– The mild, buttery coating on the noodles enhances the dish’s richness while providing a soft and comforting bite.
• Roasted Broccoli– The caramelization from roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the broccoli, making it a flavorful and nutritious pairing.
• Steamed Rice-Its light and airy texture prevents the meal from feeling too heavy while still being satisfying.
• French Fries– Bring a crispy, salty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender, juicy chicken.

How Long Does It Last?

Monterey Chicken can last up to 3–4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly in an airtight container. For the best flavor and texture, let it cool completely before storing it.

Can You Freeze It?

If you need to keep it for a longer period, Monterey Chicken can be frozen for up to 2–3 months.

When freezing, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag.

To reheat your leftovers, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 15–20 minutes or until heated through.

More Comforting Chicken Recipes

• Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese
• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
• Springfield Style Cashew Chicken
• Chicken Pot Pie Casserole With Biscuits
• Baked Chicken Shawarma

If you love this Monterey Chicken recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on social media so they can try it too! Don’t forget to save it so you can make it again next time you need a quick and easy weeknight meal.