Easy Monterey Chicken Recipe (Chili’s Copycat)

This easy Monterey Chicken recipe takes BBQ chicken to the next level by smothering it with Monterey Jack cheese, bacon, and a few fresh veggies. It’s a fun new twist on leftover chicken or a delicious way to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts!

I don’t make it to Chili’s restaurant too often. So until recently, I had never heard of Chicken Monterey!

I can’t remember how the topic came up, but a Chili’s-loving-friend told me about this dish and I thought it sounded pretty good. BBQ chicken is never a bad idea, right?!

One day when I found myself with some leftover chicken and the bottom of a bottle of barbecue sauce in the fridge, I decided to give it a try.

This recipe is easy to make and packed with flavor, and it’ll be going on regular rotation in my house!

What is Monterey Chicken?

Monterey Chicken is a Chili’s copycat recipe. It’s chicken breast that’s smothered with BBQ sauce, Monterey Jack cheese, bacon, and tomatoes.

Chili’s discontinued their Monterey Chicken, so if you’re craving it, make it at home!

Monterey Chicken Ingredients and Substitutions

This recipe is very easy to make and requires minimal ingredients.

• Chicken – The original Chili’s recipe used boneless skinless chicken breasts. However, this dish is the perfect way to use any type of leftover chicken you have on hand! If you want to use boneless skinless chicken breast, you’ll need about 4 to 6 ounces for one serving.
• BBQ sauce – You can use whatever your favorite type of barbecue sauce is. For the low carb and keto friendly version, use sugar free BBQ sauce.
• Monterey Jack cheese – This brings the “Monterey” to this dish! However, feel free to use any type of cheese you like; cheddar or gouda (or a mix of both) are also delicious here.
• Scallion – This adds mild onion flavor.
• Bacon – I use beef bacon, but you can use whatever your preference is. Cook the bacon until crispy, and then crumble it.
• Tomatoes – You can use halved cherry tomatoes, or make a quick homemade Pico de Gallo (aka fresh salsa) for topping.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400F.
2. If using leftover chicken: Mix together the chicken and BBQ sauce and spread it into a 12-ounce gratin dish (or use whatever oven-safe dish you have). Top with the cheese and scallion. If using boneless, skinless chicken breast: Place the chicken breast in a gratin dish (or other oven-safe dish), spread the BBQ sauce on top, top with the cheese and scallion, and cover it with foil.
3. Bake until the chicken is warm and the cheese is melted, about 10 to 15 minutes using leftover chicken, or 20 to 25 minutes for boneless skinless chicken breast. If using boneless skinless chicken breast, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
4. Top with the crumbled bacon, tomato, and red onion.
5. Serve.

What to Serve with Monterey Chicken

One of the best things about this easy chicken recipe is that there are a ton of different ways you can serve it. Here are a few ideas:

• Make it into a sandwich or wrap. Use homemade store-bought bread, buns, or wraps.
• Serve it up salad-style. Enjoy it on a bed of lettuce, spinach, or any leafy green.
• Turn it into pasta. Serve it on a bed of your favorite pasta.
• Make it a classic dinner with potato and a steamed vegetable. This chicken recipe pairs well with baked potato or roasted potatoes (try crispy roasted duck fat potatoes!) and a steamed vegetable, such as cauliflower, broccoli, or green beans.
• Or go with rice and a salad. Serve it up with your favorite rice pilaf and a leafy green salad! One of my favorite rice recipes is easy homemade Rice a Roni, or you can use cauliflower rice to keep the carbs down.

Monterey Chicken Recipe FAQs

Do I Have to Use Monterey Jack Cheese?

Not at all!

Monterey Jack cheese is a mild-flavored cow’s milk cheese with a slightly nutty flavor. It melts well and is great for making this chicken recipe!

However, if you can’t find Monterey Jack you could look for Colby-Jack, which is a marbled mixture of Colby and Monterey Jack. Alternatively, you could use a mild cheddar or even gouda.

How Can I Make This Into Monterey Chicken Casserole?

To make this chicken dish into a casserole for one, add 1/2 cup of cooked rice or pasta to the casserole dish before topping with the chicken. Continue with the rest of the recipe as written.

Alternatively, to increase your veggies and keep the carbs lower, you could add 1 cup of cooked cauliflower or broccoli instead of cooked rice or pasta.

And bonus, this recipe is very easy to increase if you want to make enough to feed a crowd!

Can I Make This Into a Monterey Chicken Sandwich?

Yes! This recipe is very easy to make into a sandwich. Simply make the recipe as directed, and put it on bread or a bun. You can also use paleo bread or “wheat” keto bread. Any kind of bread that fits into your lifestyle will work.

More Single Serving Dinner (or Breakfast-for-Dinner) Recipes

• 15-Minute Low Carb Zucchini Pizza Bake For One
• BLT Salad
• Single Serving Low-Carb Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
• Herbed Eggs Baked in Cream with Feta

This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on May 27, 2020 and updated on February 25, 2024.