Description
Crock Pot Monterey Chicken is a flavorful and easy slow-cooker recipe featuring seasoned chicken breasts smothered in BBQ sauce, topped with melted Colby Jack cheese, crispy bacon, diced tomatoes, and green onions. This hearty dish combines smoky, tangy, and fresh flavors perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Sauces and Toppings
- 2 cups BBQ sauce (divided use)
- 10 ounce can tomatoes with green chiles, drained (like Rotel)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 4 slices Colby Jack cheese
- 1 tomato, diced
- 4 green onions, diced
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat dry the chicken breasts with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, ensuring better browning and seasoning adherence.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt. Rub the seasoning mixture evenly on both sides of each chicken breast.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned chicken breasts for about 2 minutes on each side until browned but not cooked through. This step adds color and flavor.
- Start Slow Cooking: Place the browned chicken breasts into a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Pour 1 cup of BBQ sauce evenly over the chicken, then scatter the drained tomatoes with green chiles on top.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring it is fully cooked and tender.
- Add Toppings: Once cooked, spoon the remaining 1 cup of BBQ sauce over each chicken breast. Top each piece with a slice of Colby Jack cheese, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, and sliced green onions.
- Melt the Cheese: Cover and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and the toppings are warmed through.
- Serve: Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
- For best flavor, do not skip the browning step, as it adds a rich depth of taste.
- You can prepare the bacon in advance by baking or pan-frying until crisp.
- Adjust seasoning amounts to taste, particularly salt and pepper.
- This recipe can be doubled by using a larger slow cooker or cooking in batches.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently in the microwave or oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
