Description

Monterey Chicken is a flavorful baked chicken dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts marinated in a savory honey-soy-Worcestershire blend, topped with crispy applewood smoked bacon, tangy barbecue sauce, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Finished under the broiler with fresh diced Roma tomatoes and green onions for a delicious and visually appealing entrée perfect for dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
¼ cup honey
¼ cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Toppings

8 slices applewood smoked bacon
½ cup barbecue sauce
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
¼ cup green onions, chopped

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Instructions

Marinate Chicken: In a large sealable bag or bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
Bake Chicken: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the marinated chicken breasts into a 9×13-inch baking dish and cover with foil to retain moisture. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) signifying the chicken is fully cooked.
Cook Bacon: While the chicken bakes, fry the applewood smoked bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, roughly chop the bacon and set aside for topping the chicken.
Assemble and Broil: Remove the foil from the baked chicken breasts and evenly spread barbecue sauce over each piece. Top each with chopped crispy bacon and a generous amount of shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Set your oven broiler to high and broil the chicken for a few minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly and slightly golden.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and garnish with freshly diced Roma tomatoes and chopped green onions for added freshness and color. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Monterey Chicken.

Notes

Marinating the chicken overnight will enhance the flavors more deeply.
Ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F for proper doneness.
You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a leaner option.
Broil carefully as cheese can burn quickly; watch closely for a perfect melt.
Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.