30 Minute Meal Cheesy Monterey Chicken #KCMasterpiece #Spon

***Disclosure: This post is sponsored by KC Masterpiece and DataRank. However, all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

I absolutely love this time of year. The weather is gorgeous, flowers are in bloom, and the smell of BBQ often lingers throughout my neighborhood. We Ohio folk like to grill, and grill often. Maybe it's because the winters are so cold, so we find any excuse to be outdoors during the warmer months. (Although my husband has been known to fire up the grill during a blizzard. What a nut!) 

Anyway, I tend to cook out at least 3 or 4 times a week during the spring and summer. We do lots of burgers and dogs, but I also love a juicy grilled steak or some fall-off-the-bone ribs. 

But one of my all-time favorite meals is my Cheesy Monterey Chicken. This is very similar to dishes found at Chili's and Outback Steakhouse. Plump, juicy chicken breast, sauteed mushrooms, thick sliced bacon, and a mound of cheesy goodness. 

The best part? This dish uses 5 ingredients that you've probably already got in the fridge, and goes from grill to table in 30 minutes or less, making it a perfect weeknight meal solution!

Here's what you'll need to make this family-pleasing dish: 

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• Sauteed Mushrooms (I like Baby Bellas, but any kind will work!)
• Shredded Cheddar cheese
• Crisp Bacon
• BBQ Sauce (I like KC Masterpiece Original Recipe, since it has the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.) 

I highly recommend beating your meat for this recipe. Hey now, don't get too excited. I mean beating the chicken with a meat tenderizer. This will get the chicken to a uniform thickness, which allows for even cooking. If you don't have a meat mallet, you can use a soup can.

I like to marinate the chicken for a few hours in the BBQ Sauce to infuse the chicken with more flavor, but this isn't at all necessary. You can just dip it in the sauce before grilling if you're short on time. 

Once your mushrooms are sauteed and your bacon is cooked, it's time to head out to the grill. (Be sure to brush your grill grates with some oil to avoid sticking!) You're going to want to set the grill to medium-high heat, or at about 375-450°F. This will ensure that the chicken cooks through properly without becoming a dry, rubbery mess. 

Place the chicken breasts a couple of inches apart on the grill. We want direct heat, here. Remember to dip that chicken in some tangy BBQ sauce before you slap it on the grill. You're going to want that smoky, sweet flavor all over your chicken!

Chicken should be cooked for about 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reads 160°F. When your chicken is about halfway cooked, it's time to add the stuff that makes this dish amazing. First, you're going to need more of that sauce. Just add some to the top of the chicken breasts. Be generous! BBQ isn't done right if it's not at least a little bit messy. 

Once your breasts are nice and saucy, add a nice layer of bacon. Mmm...Bacon. I don't know about you, but I think that everything's better with bacon! Use as little or as much as you'd like. In my house, we all love bacon, so I put a good amount on each breast. 

Next, it's time to add a pile of beautiful, sauteed mushrooms. (These can certainly be left out if you've got picky eaters.) I love the rich, earthy flavor of freshly sauteed shrooms. They compliment this meal so well. 

Last but certainly not least, top these babies with a heaping mound of Cheddar cheese. Don't skimp! Use as much cheese as you'd like. We happen to like a LOT of cheese on our Monterey Chicken, as you can see below. 

Once you've got your chicken topped with these layers of mouth-watering goodness, close the grill lid and cook a couple more minutes, until the cheese is melted. (I love nothing more than some ooey-gooey melted cheese!) Again, use a digital meat thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature of the chicken reads 160°F. 

Once the chicken is done, the only thing left to do is plate it up and dig in! I served this chicken the other night with a roasted broccoli and potato side. This side was super easy to make, and I even used some "liquid gold" aka bacon grease for added flavor. (Look for this recipe soon!) 

You can use any sides you'd like, though. Some great suggestions include pasta salad, a baked potato, corn on the cob, or any other summery side. Get creative! Cooking is supposed to be fun, after all! 

So there you have it! Homemade Monterey Chicken in 30 minutes or less. This chicken is loaded with flavor, and is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Remember, the sauce is key, so be sure to choose a good one like KC Masterpiece Original Recipe. This sauce is sweet and smoky, with hints of onion, molasses, and their secret blend of spices. It's really perfect for this restaurant copycat meal! 

Visit www.kcmasterpiece.com to learn more about their products and to find some delicious recipes. 

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What are your go-to summer meals? I'd love to hear about them!