BBQ Cheesy Chicken Aka Chili's Monterey Chicken, So GOOD.

One of my favorite dishes at Chili's is their Monterey Chicken. Every time we go there that is the one dish I get every time. We don't get to go out and eat as often as we like anymore but, that's OK with me. Eating out is the one thing that we really had to cut back on since I stay home with the kids. Eating out and fast food can really hit your pocket book hard. Sometimes your don't even realize it. 

You know there are some days I don't even miss it. I mean don't get me wrong I do love to go out and have a great meal that I don't have to prepare. We do go out and eat occasionally, but not as often as we used to when DH and I both worked. It is amazing how you can recreate some of your favorite take out foods right at home. Monterey Chicken being one of them. 

All that cheesy, barbecue, oniony, bacony goodness it just makes me weak at my knee's. I dont even think some of those are actual words, but that's the only way to describe it. Imagine my surprise when I got The Hungry Housewife's recipe newsletter and saw her Copy Cat version for BBQ Cheesy Chicken aka Monterey Chicken. I just happened to have Monterey Chicken listed on my March Menu but, I was still searching around for a great recipe. 

Well this was a tried and true recipe so, that was the one I made. This chicken was totally out of this world awesome!!!!!!! It is definitely a keeper in our house. Everyone loved it except Carson, but he is so darn picky and only thinks hot dogs and PB & J Sandwiches are good right now. I know one day he will broaden his horizons.

These are the ingredients you will need: Iron Skillet (I ♥ my cast iron skillet) Chicken Breasts, BBQ Sauce, Oil, One Caramelized Onion, Salt & Pepper, Tony Chachere’s seasoning (not pictured), Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese (Shredded) and Bacon.

Sprinkle some Tony Chachere’s, optional on both sides of the chicken breasts. Place seasoned chicken breasts in large zip lock bag and pour enough BBQ sauce in bag to cover the chicken. Marinate them in the fridge from about 30 minutes - 1 hour. 

Thinly slice your desired amount of onions I would use at least one good size onion it will shrink down in size. Coat lightly with vegetable oil and Season with salt and pepper. In a dutch oven fitted with a lid, I had to use a glass covered casserole dish bake for around 1 hour, or until desired color is reached. Make sure you stir them every 15 minutes so they don't burn.

In a large oven proof skillet (I used my cast iron skillet), on the stove top over medium heat, saute chicken until mostly done, about 4 minutes per side. If your chicken breasts are a bit thicker you will need to saute them a little longer.

Remove the skillet from heat and add some barbecue sauce over the chicken breasts and bake the chicken, covered in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until cooked through (165 degrees) on a meat thermometer. Remove from oven and set the oven temp to broil. Place the oven rack 4 inches from heat. 

Pour some additional barbecue sauce over chicken. Place desired amount of onions on the chicken, cover with cheese (how ever much you want) Place bacon on top. Yum now this is really starting to come together. Just look at that picture. I added a toothpick or two to hold down the bacon from curling.

Place pan in the oven and broil until the bacon has crisped up, about 5 minutes.

Cheesy BBQ Chicken -
Copy Cat Chili's Monterey Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Tony Chachere’s seasoning, to taste, optional
8 slices of bacon, cut in half and cooked
1 onion, caramelized
1 bottle of BBQ sauce (or homemade)
Shredded Cheese (cheddar or colby jack shredded cheese blend)

Sprinkle some Tony Chachere’s, optional on both sides of the chicken breasts. Place seasoned chicken breasts in large zip lock bag and pour enough BBQ sauce in bag to cover the chicken. Marinate them in the fridge from about 30 minutes - 1 hour. 

In a large oven proof skillet (I used my cast iron skillet), on the stove top over medium heat, saute chicken until mostly done, about 4 minutes per side. If your chicken breasts are a bit thicker you will need to saute them a little longer.

Remove the skillet from heat and add some barbecue sauce over the chicken breasts and bake the chicken, covered in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until cooked through (165 degrees) on a meat thermometer. Remove from oven and set the oven temp to broil. Place the oven rack 4 inches from heat. 

Pour some additional barbecue sauce over chicken. Place desired amount of onions on the chicken. Cover with cheese (how ever much you want) Place bacon on top. I stuck a toothpick or two through the bacon to keep it from curling while broiling. 

Place pan in the oven and broil until the bacon has crisped up about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and cool a bit before serving.

 

How to Caramelize Onions
Preheat oven to 425. Thinly slice your desired amount of onions. Coat lightly with vegetable oil Season with salt and pepper. In a dutch oven or casserole dish fitted with a lid, bake for around 1 hour, or until desired color is reached Make sure you stir them every 15 minutes so they don't burn.