Crockpot Cheesy Monterey Bacon Chicken for Easy Dinners Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a deeper flavor, you can briefly sear the chicken breasts in a hot pan before placing them in the slow cooker, though this is optional. This extra step adds a nice golden-brown color and a subtle caramelized note to the chicken. If you choose to do this, ensure the pan is hot and use a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the chicken once cooked and whisk a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water into the remaining liquid in the slow cooker. Turn the heat to high for a few minutes until the sauce bubbles and thickens. This makes for a more substantial glaze that clings better to the chicken when serving.

Variations

• Spicy Monterey Chicken: Add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the barbecue mixture for a spicy kick that complements the Monterey Jack cheese perfectly.
• Smoky Maple Chicken: Substitute the standard barbecue sauce with a maple-flavored barbecue sauce and add a dash of liquid smoke to enhance the savory bacon notes for a deep, campfire-inspired flavor.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat in the microwave on medium power or in a covered pan over low heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep the chicken moist and prevent it from absorbing other refrigerator odors. It is important to cool the leftovers to room temperature within two hours of cooking before placing them in the refrigerator.

This ensures the food remains safe to eat and maintains its quality for future meals. Properly stored, the chicken will stay fresh and flavorful for several days.

You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time by placing the chicken and bacon in a container in the refrigerator, but it is best to combine them with the sauce and garlic powder just before starting the slow cooker.

This prevents the sauce from diluting the flavor of the meat too early. If you are prepping in advance, keep everything cold and assemble it right before you turn the slow cooker on.

Serving ideas

This dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, a fresh garden salad, or a side of fluffy mashed potatoes to soak up the extra barbecue sauce.

For a lighter approach, serve it alongside steamed broccoli or green beans. The combination of the tangy barbecue sauce and the creamy cheese makes it versatile enough to go with almost any classic side dish.

When serving, make sure to spoon some of the extra sauce from the slow cooker over each chicken breast. This ensures that every bite is as flavorful as the first.

If you have guests, you can garnish the plates with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color that brightens the presentation of the dish before bringing it to the table.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Crockpot Cheesy Monterey Bacon Chicken for Easy Dinners

Prep 5 minCook 4 hRest 5 minTotal 4 h 10 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Place the raw chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer to ensure they cook through evenly. Handling raw chicken requires caution, so wash hands and any surfaces that came into contact with the meat immediately to prevent cross-contamination.
2. Scatter the bacon crumbles over the chicken, then sprinkle the garlic powder evenly across the top. Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken, ensuring it covers the breasts completely to keep them moist while they cook in the slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), sprinkle the Monterey Jack cheese over the top. Cover for 5 minutes until melted. Let the dish rest for 3 minutes before serving to ensure the juices redistribute properly.

Contains: milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

420

Protein

45 g

Carbohydrates

18 g

Fat

16 g

Fiber

0.5 g

Sugar

15 g

Sodium

850 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.