• Home
  • Email List
  • Cookbooks
  • FAQs
  • Instant Pot Secrets
  • Sponsor Me

365 Days of Slow Cooking and Pressure Cooking

Easy slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes for each day of the year

  • Filter Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Meatless
  • healthy
  • Soups

August 30, 2021

Instant Pot Monterey Chicken

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Instant Pot Monterey Chicken–tender chicken with bacon, cheese and BBQ sauce. A fun Chili’s copycat recipe, Instant Pot style!

Pin this recipe for later!

Instant Pot Monterey Chicken

Instant Pot Monterey Chicken

This is an easy recipe that is very satisfying without being over the top. The chicken is cooked in the Instant Pot and then covered with BBQ sauce, cheese and bacon crumbles. It comes together quickly. It tastes great served with steamed red potatoes and broccoli.

  • This recipe uses chicken breast cutlets. A chicken cutlet is a chicken breast that has been cut in half horizontally to make two thinner pieces. I bought the chicken like this at the grocery store. They were about a half inch thick. I like using cutlets because they cook quickly and they cook more evenly than whole chicken breasts. If you’d like you can make chicken cutlets out of chicken breasts. I have not tried this recipe with frozen pieces of chicken. If you do try that I would increase the pressure cook time by 2-3 minutes.
  • Do not quick release the pressure as it will toughen up the chicken. Instead let the pressure release on its own for 10 minutes and then move the valve to venting.
  • I used a combination of cheeses…Monterey, mozzarella and cheddar. You can use your own combination if you’d like!
  • I like buying the big bacon of bacon crumbles at Costco and keeping them in my fridge or freezer for recipes like this one. It makes it convenient rather than frying up bacon on the stove, although you can totally do that if you’d like.
  • I used my 6 quart Instant Pot.* You can also make this in the 3 or 8 quart pot. Stagger the chicken pieces in the 3 quart pot instead of stacking them right on top of each other.
  • Make it low carb by using a low carb BBQ sauce and forgoing the tomatoes.
  • This recipe can be gluten free. Just make sure to pick out a gluten free BBQ sauce.

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes You’ll Love…

Instant Pot Ritz Chicken

Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Chicken

Instant Pot Cheesecake Factory Cashew Chicken

Instant Pot Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Instant Pot Monterey Chicken


★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: 365 Days of Slow and Pressure Cooking
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
  • Total Time: 17 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Tender chicken with bacon, cheese and BBQ sauce. A fun Chili’s copycat recipe, Instant Pot style!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 cup bacon crumbles
  • 1/4 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup diced green onion

Instructions

  1. Pour 1 ½ cups water in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place a trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
  2. Place chicken breasts cutlets on top of the trivet without stacking directly on top of each other. Stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the chicken evenly. 
  3. Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 7 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
  4. Use tongs to place chicken on a plate. Remove the trivet and dump out the water. Place chicken back into bottom of Instant Pot. 
  5. Baste the chicken with BBQ sauce, sprinkle with the bacon pieces, sprinkle the cheese on top. Cover the Instant Pot and keep on the warm setting for 3 minutes, until cheese is melted (or use an air fryer lid). Serve chicken topped with tomatoes and green onions.

Notes

A chicken cutlet is a chicken breast that has been cut in half horizontally to make two thinner pieces. I bought the chicken like this at the grocery store. They were about a half inch thick. 

  • Category: Chicken
  • Method: Instant Pot

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @365dayscrockpot on Instagram

Want More 365 Days?

  • Sign up to receive daily Instant Pot recipes (it’s FREE)
  • Join the 365 Days of Instant Pot Recipes Facebook group 
  • Subscribe to my YouTube channel 
  • Buy the 365 Days of Pressure Cooking Cookbook

Pin this recipe for later!

Instant Pot Monterey Chicken

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

24 Comments Filed Under: All Recipes, Can Be Gluten Free, Chicken, Instant Pot, Summer Tagged With: copy cat recipe

Recommendations

Comments

  1. Jeanie says

    August 13, 2022 at 2:41 pm

    NHow would you reheat leftovers? Should I go through step 4 the first night and then top and AF a bit longer when reheating? This sounds so good!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 13, 2022 at 3:07 pm

      Yes I think that would work well!

      Reply
      • Jeanie says

        August 19, 2022 at 1:01 pm

        Thanks for replying. I went to write my review and couldn’t find the air fryer version. I realized I was using a very similar recipe from another site that only used the air fryer. It did work the way I did it.. I air fried 2 breasts cut in half for 12 minutes (too long in the OmniPllus). I finished/reheated only one piece at a time since I’m only cooking for one. I topped the breast half and air fried for about 3 minutes at 360. When reheating, I used a product I’ve found helpful for getting a small amount of food out of the oven–the Instant Vortex Nonstick Perforated Pizza Pan from Amazon (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08B8XR6PR?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details). Next time, I’m using your recipe!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
  2. Nana B says

    February 17, 2022 at 6:21 pm

    Hey Karen, you have been a lifesaver! Learning how to cook for one is not easy, esp. with all these lovely health issues that come with maturity (LOL). I now have “3” instant pots. I do up meals for a month (freezer portions). Then on iffy days I don’t have to worry about cooking (gotta eat, no excuses). I have tried so many of your recipes. Thanks for doing all the work for me. And yes I do make changes to suit my aging tummy. I also get upset when folks can’t read the recipe or follow directions. Gees, ya can’t make it any easier! You’re doing a great job! This GGma is so happy to have found you. Keep up the good work. My daughter is jealous. She’s only got 2 instant pots and she’s doing the freezer filler too! Yaaaa, Karen!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 18, 2022 at 12:44 pm

      So glad you are using your IP and getting lots of good ideas here! Thanks for your nice comment and for following along!

      Reply
  3. Diane Carver says

    February 17, 2022 at 4:52 pm

    Do I need to adjust the cooking time if I use chicken tenders?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 18, 2022 at 12:45 pm

      I would use a 4 or 5 minute pressure cooking time for tenders.

      Reply
      • Diane Carver says

        February 18, 2022 at 2:06 pm

        Thanks, Karen. I’ll let you know how it comes out.

        Reply
  4. Colleen says

    January 30, 2022 at 7:41 pm

    Absolutely Devine!! Love how easy this recipe is and how fresh it tastes.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 31, 2022 at 7:03 pm

      Thanks Colleen!

      Reply
  5. Staci says

    December 3, 2021 at 4:58 pm

    If you double this recipe do you need to change the cooking time?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 4, 2021 at 9:06 pm

      Nope, same cooking time

      Reply
      • Staci says

        December 5, 2021 at 3:12 pm

        Thank you, Karen! Should I also double the water to put in at the bottom?

        Reply
        • Karen says

          December 6, 2021 at 10:46 am

          nope!

          Reply
          • Staci says

            December 6, 2021 at 11:06 am

            Thank you! Can’t wait to try it tonight!

  6. Nancy E Woodruff says

    November 12, 2021 at 8:31 pm

    Want to try this but I am low carb and the carb count is higher than I am allowed. Is it the barbecue sauce that causes the carb count to be so high? Do you think it would work without the barbecue sauce?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      November 13, 2021 at 9:34 pm

      I would use a low carb BBQ sauce

      Reply
  7. Deon B. says

    August 31, 2021 at 11:34 pm

    Hubby & I LOVED this recipe!!! Our fav of all those we’ve tried in the IP…. so far. Thanks for all the great tips & ideas, Karen! Hope you keep ’em coming.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 1, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      Oh that’s awesome! I am so happy you both enjoyed it! Thank you for the 5 stars.

      Reply
  8. Kim B. says

    August 30, 2021 at 12:40 pm

    Can I use boneless thighs for this? My husband does not like chicken breasts.
    If so, would the cooking time change?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 30, 2021 at 1:11 pm

      Yes you can. If you place them on the trivet I would cook them for 12-15 minutes with 10 minute natural pressure release.

      Reply
      • Kim B. says

        August 30, 2021 at 2:06 pm

        Woo-hoo! Thanks for info. Guess what’s for dinner???
        Will be back with stars.

        Reply
        • Kim B. says

          September 2, 2021 at 12:59 pm

          Was so delicious. Can’t wait for leftovers because they will be better than first time around.
          Karen, thanks for ALL you do to make our lives easier. I need all the help I can get!

          ★★★★★

          Reply
          • Karen says

            September 3, 2021 at 9:06 am

            Ahhh you’re welcome Kim! Thanks for your positivity!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Welcome!

Karen photo

Hi, I’m Karen. I know that dinner time can be less than relaxing. Busy schedules and cranky kids and a hundred other things can lead to weariness when it comes to putting dinner on the table. I can help! I make homemade, family-friendly slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners and share the recipes with you.

Stay In Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives

Amazon Associates Disclosure

Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

365 Days of Slow Cooking © 2023 · Privacy Policy

MENU
  • Home
  • Filter
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Meatless
  • Healthy
  • Soups
  • Email List
  • Cookbooks
  • FAQs
  • Instant Pot Secrets