One-Pan Monterey Chicken (Bacon + Barbecue Sauce)

Bacon, barbecue sauce, and cheddar are the building blocks of so many of my dinners. (And probably of my physical body.) And this Monterey chicken is a simple and delicious way to combine them into an easy dinner. I beg of you, check your chicken with a thermometer so you don’t overcook it. It will change your poultry life.

Even the picky eaters in my house can’t get enough of the juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and melted cheese combo. It’s become my go-to for busy weeknights. It’s also great as leftovers for lunch wraps the next day!

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Easy and simple ingredients. Nothing fancy. But please! Get yourself a meat thermometer. No one likes overcooked chicken.

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If you’d like to double or triple this recipe, you can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Equipment

• 12-inch skillet that’s oven safe (if you don’t have one, just cook the chicken in a regular skillet and then transfer it to a foil-lined baking sheet to melt the cheese in the oven.
• Meat thermometer

Ingredients

• 6 slices of bacon
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced in half horizontally, about 1 pound)
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup barbecue sauce
• 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese (or any cheese you want)
• 2 Roma tomatoes (cored and diced)
• ¼ cup diced green onions

How to Make Monterey Chicken

Step One: Cook Bacon

In an oven-safe 12-inch skillet, cook bacon on medium heat, turning until completely cooked, browned, and crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve the bacon fat in a small bowl and clean the pan.

Step Two: Preheat Oven

Preheat the oven to 400℉.

Step Three: Heat Pan

Measure the bacon fat and add oil for a total of 2 tablespoons. Place in the pan and preheat to medium-high heat to warm the oil.

Step Four: Season Chicken

In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle the seasoning over both sides of each chicken breast.

Step Five: Cook The Chicken

Carefully place the chicken in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes. While the chicken cooks, crumble the bacon and place it in a small bowl. Turn chicken and brush each chicken breast with about one tablespoon of barbecue sauce. Cook chicken for an additional 4-5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉. Turn the chicken and brush with barbecue sauce again, about 1 tablespoon of sauce per chicken breast.

Step Six: Top With Cheese

Carefully spread the shredded cheese over each chicken breast, about ¼ cup per piece of chicken.

Step Seven: Bake

Transfer the pan to the oven to melt the cheese for about 6-8 minutes.

Step Eight: Top With Remaining Toppings

Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven. Transfer chicken to a serving platter and top with crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, and green onions. You can also add toppings and serve right from the pan. Serve immediately.

Storage Instructions

Place the chicken in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes.

This does not freeze well because of the melted cheese and barbecue sauce.

What to Serve on the side

This can be a regular family dinner or a fancy in-home date night.

• Add some steamed broccoli, white cheddar scalloped potatoes, and garlic bread for a family dinner.
• Make it feel fancier with a peaches and cream cocktail for a date night.

More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes

Chicken is such an easy dinner, and there are so many ways to make it.

• Chicken + a Crockpot. This Crockpot Mississippi chicken doesn’t get any easier.
• Cast iron skillet chicken breast is the easiest and quickest way to cook these (don’t forget your meat thermometer).
• Soy chicken thighs are simple, flavorful, and you don’t have to stand at the stove endlessly.
• Your cast iron skillet can also be used to roast a whole chicken. Sounds hard, but it’s really not.

Printable Recipe