Hi everybody, welcome to a new week!
First thing’s first, I apologize if you were unable to access the site this weekend to get a recipe or check in. It took a bit longer to start showing up on the new server than anticipated then, to top it all off, the new server had its own outage yesterday. Blarg! Hopefully this isn’t a sign of things to come, but so far I’m really happy with the switch. The site feels lightening fast to me, which, as the-most-impatient-person-in-the-world, I appreciate. : ) Please do let me know if you continue to experience any funkiness though!
The rest of the weekend went fast, don’t ya think?! Baby class (or rather birth-prep class) on Saturday was actually pretty great. (You never know how those things will go…) I feel like I’ve been existing in my own little pregnant bubble for the past 7 months so it was neat to be in a room full of other pregnant women, but strange at the same time because I was one of the least far long. Made me feel like maybe my back doesn’t hurt quite that bad.
Ok, it still does. Ben’s been doing nightly pushups to keep up with my massage demands – muwahaha!
Anyway, yesterday was a work day for me, but I took some time to whip up this mouthwatering Monterey Chicken Grilled Cheese for Ben and me for lunch:
Decadent and drool-worthy, this sandwich is definitely a splurge, but super good for the soul. I just HEART the combo of chicken, bacon, BBQ sauce, and cheddar cheese grilled up on crusty, hearty bread. I was full for hours after eating this baby!
While the combo isn’t rocket science, I liked the fact that I had all the ingredients in the house, it was quick to put together, and ermahgerd look at that melted cheeeese!
Start the Monterey Chicken Grilled Cheese by cookin’ up some bacon! If I have the time I prefer to bake my bacon, as it renders a crispy yet melt-in-your-mouth texture, not to mention slowly fills the house with that unmistakable, mouthwatering scent. It actually got Ben out of bed on Sunday morning to come investigate – baHA! Anyway, place 8 slices of bacon on a nonstick sprayed cooling rack set atop a foil-lined baking sheet then pop into the oven, turn the heat to 425, and then bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Best bacon you’ll ever have.
Next get 1lb chicken breasts cookin’ any way you like. Grill, saute, or bake, which is the route I took. Just brush the chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes, then slice.
Most moist (moistest?) chicken you’ll ever have!
Once you get the bacon and chicken prepped, setup your sandwich assembly station and get to stackin’.
First, brush or mist 8 hearty bread slices on one side with extra virgin olive oil. I use this oil mister from Williams & Sonoma which I bought a few years ago. It’s great for getting an even coating of oil without having to pour it on.
Next, flip the bread so the oil side is facing down then layer on a few slices of chicken, then a few slices of fresh tomato.Â
Followed by 2 slices cooked bacon, and a slathering of your favorite BBQ sauce.Â
Finally, pile on freshly shredded cheddar cheese. One of Ben’s and my favorite restaurans in the area does this on one of their signature cheeseburgers instead of using sliced cheddar cheese. It makes ALL the melty difference in the world. Just make sure it’s freshly grated vs pre-grated for best results.
Pop the sandwiches in a panini press (I use the Griddler >) or cook in a pan until both sides are golden brown.
I mean!
Let the sandwich rest for 2 or 3 minutes then slice ‘er up, and dig on in!
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Monterey Chicken Grilled Cheese
Description
Monterey Chicken Grilled Cheese is chicken, bacon, BBQ sauce, and cheddar cheese grilled up on crusty, hearty bread.
Ingredients
- 1lb chicken breasts, pounded thin
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt & pepper
- 8 slices hearty Italian bread
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced
- 8 slices cooked bacon
- BBQ sauce
- Cheddar cheese, sliced or shredded
Directions
- Brush chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil on both sides then season with salt and pepper. Grill, saute, or bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Cool slightly then cut into thick slices.
- Brush or mist one side of each piece of bread with extra virgin olive oil then turn so oiled-side is facing out. Lay chicken slices on half the bread then top with tomato slices, 2 slices of bacon, BBQ sauce, and then cheese. Top with remaining bread slices then cook in a large skillet or panini press until both sides are golden brown.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Sizzling, savory, smoky, with a hint of sweet. This sandwich is the ultimate grilled cheese.
Hope you enjoy this treat!
Ann 05.06.2013
I regret to be spamming but seriously I can’t stop posting so fast.
Iowa Girl Eats 05.06.2013
My developer is working on a fix right now. Thanks for letting me know!
Ann 05.06.2013
just tried to post and also had last readers info – and this error message popped up?
You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down
Rachel 05.06.2013
I love making grilled cheese with bacon–I don’t know why I never thought to add chicken too! That sandwich looks SO good, I can’t wait to try making it for myself!
Joanna 05.06.2013
I am from Monterey and our grilled cheese never look this good. ;) This looks amazing and I can’t wait to make it.
Candace Karu 05.06.2013
Go big or go home! This is definitely going on my to-do list…can’t wait.
Erika 05.06.2013
Hi Kristin! I was actually in your birth class this weekend, but was too shy to say hello! Also, didn’t want to bug you guys :-). I’m super glad we went, even though it was a ton of information!
By the way, the same issue happened to me too before I wrote my comment…it pre-populated with the info of the person that commented before me, just FYI.
Iowa Girl Eats 05.06.2013
Oh my gosh too funny! Where were you sitting? Also we’re working on a fix for the comments issue. Thank you for letting me know!
Melissa 05.06.2013
I don’t know if this helps with the glider dilemma, but we just ordered the Tryp recliner (it’s in the Storytime line made by Best Chairs). It was seriously the only one we thought was comfortable. It rocks, glides, and reclines. And, if you have a 20% off coupon from BuyBuyBaby, you can use that which helps a lot. Check it out!
Iowa Girl Eats 05.06.2013
Thanks for the recommendation, Melissa, we definitely will! :)
Emily 05.06.2013
That looks amazing! I am going to make this soon! Thanks for posting! :)
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog 05.06.2013
Wow, that looks delicious! I’m headed to the store and need some options for dinner this week – your post came just in time. Thank you!
Jennifer 05.06.2013
Wow! I can eat your pictures :) Yummi Yummi what a taste!
Stacy 05.06.2013
The above comment about the griddler was actually my question but for some reason it already had all of Ashley’s information filled in. Just an FYI – hopefully it won’t happen to anyone else.
Iowa Girl Eats 05.06.2013
Thanks for letting me know, Stacy. We’ll look into that ASAP! Also, the picture kind of cut it off, but I closed the lid of the Griddler and let it cook both sides for 4-5 minutes total!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 05.06.2013
How long did you let it cook on each side? I have a griddler and I’m horrible about letting it sit long enough on each side to fully brown each side.
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 05.06.2013
That looks so good!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 05.06.2013
I am quite certain that bbq sauce and cheese is one of the best combinations around :).
Jill 05.06.2013
What are your favorite restaurants in the area? The hubby and I are always looking for good places to try.
stacie 05.06.2013
skip the glider and get a comfy rocker/recliner! Much more comfortable when trying to get baby asleep and you happen to fall asleep too :)
dana 05.06.2013
hubba hubba : )
Cookbook Queen 05.06.2013
That has got to be the most perfect sandwich I’ve ever seen!!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 05.06.2013
The site does seem a lot faster so something must be working right! Grilled cheese is the perfect comfort food, I could never get tired of it. This is certainly one savory combo, I think it has a good chance at winning! And I need to get one of those oil spritzers, I am always using way too much olive oil when I cook.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl 05.06.2013
MMMMM, this recipe is perfection! Grilled cheese is a favorite comfort food of mine, but this throws it over the edge for a perfect upcoming dinner!