Description
Monterey Chicken is a flavorful baked chicken dish featuring marinated boneless skinless chicken breasts topped with tangy barbecue sauce, crispy applewood smoked bacon, and melted Monterey Jack cheese, finished with fresh diced tomatoes and green onions for a colorful and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Toppings and Garnish
- 8 slices applewood smoked bacon
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: In a large sealable bag or bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
- Soak the Chicken: Add chicken breasts to the marinade and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to infuse flavors.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Arrange Chicken in Dish: Place the marinated chicken breasts into a 9×13-inch baking dish evenly spaced.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake the chicken for 30 to 40 minutes until fully cooked, checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Cook Bacon: While the chicken bakes, cook the applewood smoked bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.
- Chop Bacon: Roughly chop the cooked bacon and set aside for topping.
- Prepare to Broil: Remove the foil from the baked chicken and spread barbecue sauce evenly over each breast.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle chopped bacon and shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the barbecue-coated chicken breasts.
- Broil: Turn the oven broiler to high and broil the chicken until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned, about 2 to 4 minutes—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish: Remove from oven and garnish each chicken breast with diced Roma tomatoes and chopped green onions for freshness and color.
- Serve: Plate the Monterey Chicken warm and enjoy your delightful, cheesy, and savory chicken dinner.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight if time permits.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Adjust broiling time to prevent the cheese from burning.
- Serve with a side of rice, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
