Mexican Monterey Chicken

Elevate your dinner with this irresistible Mexican Monterey Chicken recipe, a flavor-packed fusion of smoky spices, crispy bacon, and gooey melted cheese. Juicy, seared chicken breasts are rubbed with a robust blend of smoked paprika, chili powder, and cumin, then topped with a generous duo of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese. Baked to perfection, this dish is beautifully finished with a vibrant medley of diced tomatoes, crisp green onions, and fresh cilantro. Perfectly balanced with a touch of heat and a refreshing herbal garnish, this one-skillet wonder is both weeknight-friendly and dinner-party worthy. Serve it alongside Mexican-style rice, refried beans, or a tangy salad for a meal that’s guaranteed to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup tomatoes, diced
• 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Rub the spice mixture evenly over the chicken breasts on both sides.

Step 4

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and add the slices of bacon. Cook the bacon until crispy, then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into pieces.

Step 6

Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and sprinkle a generous layer of shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese over each piece.

Step 7

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from the oven and top each chicken breast with diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon, green onions, and chopped cilantro.

Step 9

Serve the Mexican Monterey Chicken hot and enjoy with a side of rice, beans, or a fresh salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1305.2 grams (1305.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2634

Total Fat 149.80g	192%
Saturated Fat 64.00g	320%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 855mg	285%
Sodium 4063mg	177%
Total Carbohydrate 28.80g	10%
Dietary Fiber 6.70g	24%
Total Sugars 7.50g
Protein 283.50g	567%

Vitamin D 55IU	275%
Calcium 1759mg	135%
Iron 11mg	62%
Potassium 2902mg	62%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.9%

Protein: 43.7%

Carbs: 4.4%