Description
This Crock Pot Monterey Chicken recipe features tender, flavorful chicken breasts slow-cooked to perfection in a savory blend of BBQ sauce and tomatoes with green chiles. Topped with melted Colby Jack cheese, crispy bacon, fresh diced tomatoes, and green onions, this comforting dish is perfect for an easy dinner with bold southwestern flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Sauce and Toppings
- 2 cups BBQ sauce, divided
- 10 ounce can tomatoes with green chiles, drained (such as 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 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a paper towel to remove excess moisture for better browning.
- Mix seasoning: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon pepper, and ½ teaspoon salt. Rub the seasoning evenly on both sides of each chicken breast.
- Brown the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken breasts on both sides for about 2 minutes total, just enough to develop color without fully cooking through.
- Assemble in slow cooker: Place the browned chicken breasts into a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Pour 1 cup of BBQ sauce evenly over the chicken and add the drained can of tomatoes with green chiles on top.
- Cook the chicken: Cover and cook on the low setting for 4-6 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is tender.
- Add toppings and cheese: After slow cooking, spoon the remaining 1 cup of BBQ sauce over the chicken breasts. Place a slice of Colby Jack cheese on each piece, then sprinkle with crumbled bacon, diced tomato, and diced green onions.
- Melt the cheese: Cover the slow cooker again and cook for an additional 10 minutes on low until the cheese has melted and the toppings are heated.
- Serve: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and serve warm, spooning extra sauce and toppings as desired.
Notes
- For best flavor, use good quality BBQ sauce with smoky undertones.
- Cook bacon ahead of time until crisp for a nice texture contrast on top.
- You can substitute Colby Jack cheese with cheddar or Monterey Jack if preferred.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Ensure the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
