Keto Monterey Chicken

Moist and juicy chicken breast gets an upgrade with this keto Monterey Chicken recipe. Bacon, green onion, and a bit of tomato add ooodles of flavor to this saucy chicken dish. An easy fix, this keto chicken recipe for one is perfect for the single keto dieter. And, with big and bold flavors, it’s a meaty dish you can really dig into! Hungry? Read on and I, Chef Jenn, will show you all my tips to make this amazing keto chicken recipe perfectly every time!

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Love chicken but hate all the leftovers? This low carb chicken recipe for one is perfect for you! With maximum flavor, minimum effort and hardly any net carbs, you can be feasting on something delish in no time. Need more servings? No problem! This is an easy recipe to double or even quadruple! The next time you’re craving flavor, check out this dish which is just like Chili’s Monterey Chicken!

What You Need to Make Keto Monterey Chicken

• Digital meat thermometer
• Avocado oil or olive oil
• Chicken breast – see my tips below
• Keto friendly BBQ sauce
• 1-2 strips of bacon
• Green onion
• Diced fresh tomatoes
• Monterey jack cheese
• Salt and pepper

How To Buy Chicken

Chicken is the most commonly eaten meat in USA, and for good reason. It is affordable, easy to prepare, and delicious. But if you’re cooking for one, chicken isn’t always the easiest to shop for. Here are my tips for making this keto recipe for one:

• Buy IQF chicken breast. These are individually frozen chicken breasts. You usually get them in a bag with a few pounds of chicken breast, but they’ll keep for a while in your freezer. Then, just take out and defrost what you need for an easy dinner recipe
• Boneless skinless chicken breast is more expensive than the breasts with the bone-in. Either works, and personally, I like the flavor of the chicken on the bone more. It might take an extra few minutes to cook, but the flavor and expense make it worth it.
• Larger packs of chicken are usually less expensive than just a package with one or two pieces. Invest in a vacuum sealer and buy larger packs of chicken and freeze what you don’t need.
• Check the ingredients on the chicken! You’d be surprised how many times chicken is injected with “seasoning”. This is basically a sodium solution to keep the chicken weighing more (so you pay more) and to keep it moist during cooking. I’ve seen some seasoning soultions with starches in them, so read the label carefully! Chicken should have one ingredient: chicken.

How To Make Keto Monterey Chicken for One

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Meanwhile, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain and set the bacon aside.
4. Chop the tomato and the green onion.
5. 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.
6. Serve and enjoy!

Chef Jenn’s Tips

• Don’t overcook the chicken! There’s nothing worse than overcooked boneless skinless chicken breasts. Use a digital meat thermometer to get an accurate temperature, and pull the chicken out when it reaches 165-F.
• Prefer chicken thighs? Prepare them the same way, just adjust the cooking time if they are boneless. It won’t take quite so long to cook.
• Add a sprinkle of chili flakes or chipotle powder to add a bit of a kick!
• Watch the ingredients in the BBQ sauce – make your own if you can’t find a good store-bought sauce.
• Are tomatoes keto? Don’t worry about the few tomatoes in this dish unless you’re doing strict keto.
• Switch up the cheese! Creamy and mild Monterey jack is the cheese in this Monterey chicken dish, but you can use pepper jack cheese, smoked gouda, mozzarella, or your favorite cheese!
• Add even more flavor! Make your Monterey Chicken with pico de gallo instead of tomato!
• Love avocado? Add some diced avocado and a spoonful of sour cream on top of each chicken breast before serving to make this Monterey Chicken with Avocado!
• Use turkey bacon if you prefer, instead of pork bacon
• Add some green chilies for even more flavor!
• Maked the cooked bacon ahead of time to save a few minutes.

What To Serve With Keto Monterey Chicken For One

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

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Step By Step Process

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