Easy Monterey Chicken (Chili’s Copycat Recipe)

This easy Monterey Chicken Recipe is a quick and easy weeknight dinner, just like the one at Chili’s. Juicy chicken, tangy BBQ sauce, crisp bacon, and lots of gooey cheese make this 30-minute dish a winner!

I have the best easy one-pan dinners with incredible flavor!

If you’re looking for a one-pan dinner that doesn’t disappoint, this recipe is it! Have you tried my Chili’s Monterey Chicken Skillet before? Wowza! ? It’s a restaurant classic that tastes so good. No need to go out!

This easy dinner’s cheesy, bacon-y flavors blend to create a perfectly satisfying combo, just like my one-pan Chicken Spinach Pasta. My family just loves it! And in case you missed it, it includes bacon! Something my entire family agrees makes everything better!

Ingredient Notes

The Chicken Monterey comes together quickly, so you can make it during the week when things get busy. I love the fact it’s all made in the same pan.  Cutting down on dishwashing is always a plus in my kitchen!

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: Boneless chicken breasts create the base for all the yummy toppings.
• Bacon Slices: We like to use real bacon because it gives this recipe a nice smoky flavor. Each chicken breast will get a slice.
• Chicken Broth:
• Barbecue Sauce: The sauce brings the whole dish together. Use your favorite barbecue sauce.
• Colby Jack Cheese: The chicken comes together when you melt the grated cheese on top!
• Tomato: You’ll top your chicken with diced tomatoes for added flavor and color.
• Green Onions: This aromatic adds a slight oniony taste but doesn’t overpower the recipe.
• Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.

Find the full recipe in the printable recipe card below.

Step-By-Step Instructions

• Prep Bacon: In a large oven-safe skillet, fry bacon until crispy. Once the bacon is done, remove it from the pan and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Prep Chicken, Tomatoes, and Onions: While bacon is frying, place your chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound it to an even thickness with a kitchen mallet. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Brown Chicken: Turn heat to medium-high and brown chicken on both sides (2 to 3 minutes per side) in that yummy bacon grease.
• Finish Cooking Chicken: Pour chicken broth over the chicken breasts and cover the skillet with a lid. Cook until chicken is done, approximately 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken (Image 1). This process infuses the chicken with flavor and keeps them tender.
• Top Chicken Breast: Turn the heat off and spread barbecue sauce on top of each chicken breast (Image 2). Then, top with a slice of bacon broken in half (Image 3). Divide the cheese evenly and sprinkle on each chicken breast (Image 4).

• Broil: Place pan under the oven broiler for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Watch carefully and take out when the cheese is nice and gooey.
• Garnish: Garnish with a small amount of cold chopped tomatoes and green onions, and it’s done!  Serve this Monterey Chicken with a side salad; this is one delicious meal!

Expert Tips & Tricks

• Shortcuts: There are some shortcuts to making this easy chicken dinner. To make this recipe in 20 minutes, pound your chicken and cut your tomatoes and green onions while the bacon cooks. 
  • The thinner you pound your chicken, the less cooking time is required.
• Cheese Options: You can use your choice of cheese in this recipe.  In addition to Monterey jack cheese (another personal fav) or a cheddar Monterey blend, Pepper Jack also works. 
• Leftover Idea: If you plan ahead, you can use leftover bacon from breakfast and skip frying the bacon when it’s time to cook dinner. Just use a little oil oil when cooking the chicken.
• Equipment: A Cast Iron Frying Pan works well since it’s made to go from stovetop to oven and lasts a lifetime. Love, love, love this pan! A Kitchen Mallet works well for everything from pounding chicken to crushing crackers. 

Storing

Store your leftover Monterey Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Side Dish Ideas

• Black Beans
• Baked Potato
• Quinoa
• Green Salad
• Broccoli or Roasted Vegetables

More One Pan Recipes

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This recipe was originally published in 2018 and was updated with enhanced instructions and images on February 20, 2024.