Chicken and Peppers Bake Recipe with Monterey Jack Heat

Spicy Monterey Jack chicken and peppers bake revolutionizes ordinary dinner into a fiery flavor adventure that sizzles with southwestern charm.

Zesty ingredients dance together, creating a mouthwatering melody of heat and comfort.

Tender chicken nestles among vibrant bell peppers, promising a meal that sparks excitement at the table.

Melted cheese blankets the dish with creamy, golden richness that makes every bite irresistible.

Robust seasonings infuse each morsel with deep, complex flavors that tantalize taste buds.

Hearty and satisfying, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of spice and smoothness that feels both familiar and surprising.

Weeknight dinners never looked so inviting or tasted so incredible.

Why Spicy Chicken Bake Deserves the Spotlight

• Ignite Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, and jalapeños, this dish delivers a mouthwatering punch that dances across your taste buds with every single bite.
• Simplify Cooking Magic: One-pan method means minimal cleanup, straightforward seasoning process, and foolproof technique that transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal in just under 45 minutes.
• Create Texture Wonderland: Crispy seared chicken meets melted golden cheese, surrounded by tender peppers, offering a perfect balance of crunch, smoothness, and juiciness that makes each forkful incredibly satisfying.
• Customize Heat Adventure: Easily adjustable spice levels allow home cooks to dial up or tone down the warmth, making this recipe friendly for various taste preferences while maintaining its delicious core character.

Monterey Jack Bake Grocery List

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the main dish, look for fresh, well-trimmed pieces without excess fat.
• Monterey Jack Cheese: Creamy, mild cheese that melts beautifully, provides rich flavor and golden topping.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and highlight the dish's taste.
• Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika: Spice blend that creates complex, robust flavor profile with warmth and depth.

• Bell Peppers: Colorful vegetable that adds sweetness and crunch, choose firm and vibrant peppers.
• Jalapeño: Optional spicy element that increases heat level, use sparingly for controlled spiciness.
• Cilantro: Fresh herb that provides bright, zesty finish, adds visual appeal and aromatic touch.
• Lime: Citrus fruit that brings tangy freshness, cuts through richness of cheese and chicken.

• Olive Oil: Cooking fat that helps with searing and adds subtle flavor, aids in even cooking.

How to Bake Up Flavor with a Kick

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Crank up the oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Season Chicken

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika

Thoroughly massage these spices into the chicken breasts, ensuring every inch is covered with the zesty mixture.

Step 3: Sear Chicken to Lock in Juices

Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken in the pan, cooking each side until it develops a gorgeous golden-brown crust, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Step 4: Arrange Chicken and Peppers

Transfer seared chicken to the greased baking dish. Spread sliced peppers around the chicken, drizzling any remaining skillet oil for extra flavor.

Step 5: Add Cheesy Goodness

Generously sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the chicken and peppers. For heat lovers, scatter sliced jalapeños on top for an extra kick.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked (no pink in the center) and cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 7: Fresh Finishing Touches

Squeeze fresh lime juice over the bake and shower with chopped cilantro. This bright finale adds a refreshing pop that’ll make taste buds dance.

Serve hot and enjoy your flavor-packed chicken creation!

Tips to Avoid Dry Chicken in the Oven

• Sear for Flavor Intensity: Brown the chicken in a hot skillet before baking to create a delicious caramelized exterior that locks in moisture and enhances overall taste.
• Slice Peppers Uniformly: Cut bell peppers into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Spice Balance Matters: Adjust the chili powder and jalapeños based on your heat tolerance, tasting the seasoning before baking to customize the spice level.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Use freshly shredded Monterey Jack for superior melting and avoid pre-packaged shredded cheese, which can contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
• Rest Before Serving: Let the baked chicken rest for 5-7 minutes after removing from the oven, allowing juices to redistribute and ensuring each bite remains tender and succulent.

Save and Reheat This Spicy Dish With Ease

• Storage
• Refrigerate leftover chicken and peppers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep the dish fresh by storing it whole or in individual portions for easy reheating. Consume refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.
• Freezing Method
• Wrap the baked dish tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Store frozen chicken bake for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating Technique
• Thaw frozen dish overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil for 15-20 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Sides That Tame or Match the Heat

• Pair with Zesty Margarita: Complement the spicy chicken's heat with a classic margarita's citrusy kick. The tequila's sharpness and lime juice will enhance the dish's vibrant flavors, creating a perfect Mexican-inspired meal.
• Serve with Crisp Mexican Rice: Balance the spicy bake with a cooling side of cilantro-lime rice. The fluffy grains will absorb the dish's savory juices while providing a light, refreshing contrast to the rich chicken and melted cheese.
• Match with Tangy Coleslaw: Cut through the bake's richness with a crisp, tangy coleslaw. The creamy, vinegar-based slaw will provide a cool crunch that perfectly offsets the spicy, cheesy chicken and peppers.
• Complete with Cold Mexican Beer: A chilled Corona or Modelo Especial will refresh your palate between bites. The light, crisp beer will neutralize the dish's heat while complementing its bold southwestern flavors.

Flavor Spins on This Baked Classic

• Creamy Southwest Chicken: Replace Monterey Jack with cream cheese and add corn and black beans for a richer, heartier version of the original dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Swap chili powder with oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Use feta cheese instead of Monterey Jack and add sliced kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Smoky BBQ Chicken Bake: Brush chicken with BBQ sauce before searing, use smoked cheddar cheese, and top with caramelized onions for a tangy, sweet alternative to the spicy original recipe.
• Coconut Curry Chicken: Introduce coconut milk, curry powder, and green curry peppers. Top with shredded coconut and use mozzarella cheese for a tropical, mild-heat variation that brings international flair to the classic dish.

Spicy Monterey Jack Chicken And Peppers Bake Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Monterey Jack Chicken and Peppers Bake delivers Mexican-inspired comfort straight to your dinner table. Juicy chicken nestled with bell peppers and zesty cheese creates a simple yet bold meal that satisfies hearty appetites with minimal kitchen effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional for extra heat)
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Seasonings and Other Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon lime juice

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Create a robust spice blend by mixing salt, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to generously coat the chicken breasts, ensuring deep flavor penetration.
3. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then carefully sear the seasoned chicken breasts until they develop a golden-brown exterior, approximately 3-4 minutes per side to seal in moisture.
4. Transfer the seared chicken to the prepared baking dish, arranging the sliced bell peppers around the meat and drizzling any remaining pan drippings for additional flavor enhancement.
5. Distribute shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly across the chicken and peppers, strategically placing sliced jalapeños on top for those seeking an extra spicy kick.
6. Roast in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, verifying the chicken is fully cooked by ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
7. Complete the dish by drizzling fresh lime juice over the baked creation and garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro to introduce a bright, herbaceous note.

Notes

• Prep ahead by seasoning chicken thoroughly, ensuring each piece is generously coated with spices for maximum flavor intensity.
• Searing chicken in skillet before baking creates a delicious golden crust, sealing in moisture and developing rich, caramelized notes.
• Choose fresh, vibrant bell peppers that complement the spicy Monterey Jack cheese and add beautiful color to the dish.
• Jalapeños are optional but provide an extra kick of heat for those who love spicy food; adjust quantity based on personal heat tolerance.
• Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked protein without drying out the meat.
• Fresh lime juice and cilantro added at the end brighten the entire dish, cutting through richness and providing a zesty, fresh finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 365 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg