Need a quick and flavorful chicken recipe to change up your dinner routine? This Grilled Monterey Chicken is loaded with smoky bbq flavors, melted cheese and topped with a delicious black bean salsa.

This recipe is a twist on the Monterey Chicken from Chili’s restaurants. Our version is so easy to make at home and can easily feed a crowd.

The flavor combination of this grilled chicken recipe truly tastes like it came from a restaurant, maybe even better and it’s actually simple to make.

Serve this grilled chicken dinner with Cilantro Lime Rice, Ranch Zucchini or Grilled Okra and Grilled Garlic Bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients for Monterey Chicken Recipe

Tomatoes – Petite diced tomatoes or fresh Roma tomatoes
Green Onions – sliced
Black Beans – Rinsed and drained
Garlic – minced
Jalapenos – Candied Jalapenos or Fresh – diced
Fresh Cilantro
Lime Juice
Sea Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper
Chicken Thighs – Boneless, skinless
Olive Oil
Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce
Cheese – Monterey Jack, Swiss or Provolone

Step-By-Step Directions for Grilled Monterey Chicken

Make the Salsa: In a bowl, add diced tomatoes (drained if using canned), onions, black beans, garlic, cilantro, jalapenos, lime juice salt and pepper. Mix until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Collage: chicken thighs, grilling with bbq sauce.

Prep the Chicken: Dry chicken breasts with paper towels. Pound to an even thickness using a meat mallet. Coat both sides with olive oil.
Grill the Chicken: Prepare a grill fire using hickory or oak cooking wood for smoke flavor.
Cook chicken over indirect fire with the grill closed for 5 minutes.
Flip the chicken and brush with bbq sauce. Cook another 5 minutes and flip again. Brush with bbq sauce and continue to cook until chicken reaches about 160° using a digital meat thermometer.

Collage: Grilling chicken with bbq sauce, cheese, salsa.

Flip the chicken once more, brushing with bbq sauce. Add sliced cheese, close the grill for 1-2 minutes, until cheese is melted.
Spoon salsa over the melted cheese, cook another 2 minutes.

Remove from grill to a serving platter and rest 5 minutes before serving.

Plate of cilantro rice with grilled chicken and black bean salsa.

Recipe Notes for Grilled Chicken Monterey

Chicken: Substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred.
Bacon: Monterey chicken usually includes cooked and crumbled bacon. It’s an optional addition to sprinkle over the melted cheese if desired.
Salsa: Any Chunky Salsa will work in this recipe, use spicy or mild.
Oven Directions: Use the same cooking temperatures and directions, cooking on a parchment paper or aluminum foil lined baking sheet.

More Grilled Chicken Dinners You Will Love

Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken is a light dinner that is also an easy meal prep option for busy weeks. Full of crispy veggies, topped with grilled chicken breasts and homemade dressing.
Grilled Asian Chicken is one of our most requested recipes and is sure to be on repeat once you try it! Tender and juicy chicken thighs with a simple sesame and garlic sauce.
Grilled Chicken Diane turns out tender and juicy and the smoky flavor perfectly compliments the creamy mushroom sauce. A new twist on a classic chicken dinner.

Budget Tip for Chicken Recipes

Bone-In Chicken: We like to pick up packs of bone in chicken thighs or breasts and debone them ourselves. We save the bones in a freezer bag until we have enough to make homemade chicken broth.

Add this Grilled Monterey Chicken to your menu this week for a restaurant quality meal that is sure to please the entire family.

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Grilling Monterey Chicken with cheese and salsa.

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