Keto Monterey Chicken

This is the chicken dinner I make when I am cooking for one and still want something that feels like an actual meal, not a sad plate of plain chicken. Keto Monterey chicken piles on bacon, cheese, and BBQ sauce, so nothing about it feels like a compromise.

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I brown the chicken first, then bake it under the cheese and sauce, and finish it under the broiler with bacon, tomato, and green onion on top for a real char.

This is a single-serving recipe, which makes it an easy one to keep in rotation for a solo dinner night.

Chef Jenn’s Take on Monterey Chicken

Most loaded chicken recipes stop at melted cheese and call it done, but that leaves the chicken sitting under a soft layer with no texture contrast at all. It tastes fine, it just doesn’t taste finished.

I run this one under the broiler for the last minute or two, after the bacon, tomato, and green onion go on top. That short blast of direct heat crisps the edges of the cheese and the bacon instead of leaving everything soft, and it takes almost no extra time to do. Watch it closely though, broilers work fast and the difference between crisp and burnt is measured in seconds, not minutes.

The other thing worth saying out loud is the BBQ sauce. Not every sugar-free BBQ sauce is actually low in carbs once you check the label, some lean hard on other sweeteners that still add up. Read the nutrition panel before you buy, not just the front of the bottle.

What You’ll Love About Monterey Chicken

• It eats like a full restaurant-style dinner even though it is built for one person and one skillet.
• The broiler finish gives you crisp bacon and browned cheese on top instead of a soft, one-texture plate.
• It comes together fast enough for a weeknight, and the toppings are easy to swap based on whatever cheese or sauce you already have.

Ingredients

• Avocado oil or olive oil – For browning the chicken. Any neutral high-heat oil works.
• Chicken breast –
• Keto friendly BBQ sauce
• 1-2 strips of bacon
• Green onion
• Diced fresh tomatoes
• Monterey jack cheese
• Salt and pepper

How To Make Keto Monterey Chicken for One

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper then add the oil to a hot oven-safe skillet like a cast iron skillet. Sear the chicken, about 2-3 minutes per side, to add some color but don’t worry about cooking it through.

Top the chicken with the your favorite barbecue sauce – sugar-free, of course – and cheese. Finish cooking it in a preheated 375-F oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165-F on a digital thermometer.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain and set the bacon aside. Chop the tomato and the green onion.

When the chicken is cooked, sprinkle the crispy bacon, green onion, and tomato on top. Pop the chicken under the broiler for just a minute or two to warm the tomato and onion up.

Serve and enjoy!

Make It A Meal

I love a simple veg with this bold-flavored keto chicken recipe, like air fryer Broccoli with Garlic & Parmesan, or this tasty air fryer asparagus recipe. Pair all your favorite vegs – like these everything bagel seasoning cucumber boats – with this dish to make it a stellar, hearty, and delicious meal!

Frequently Asked Questions

WANT EVEN MORE EASY KETO DIET RECIPES?

I’m always in the kitchen creating new recipes, and while some of them are big hits, I get some misses, too. But these are some of my favorite all-time recipes:

• Thick and luscious Salmon Chowder
• Grilled veggies – I love how versatile this recipe is!
• This amazing cauliflower dish
• Meaty sausage Parmigiana
• Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole