Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
This creamy and comforting Monterey Chicken Spaghetti features tender chicken breast pieces cooked with garlic and onions in a rich, velvety sauce made from chicken broth and heavy cream. Combined with al dente spaghetti and melted Monterey Jack cheese, this dish is perfect for a satisfying family dinner that comes together quickly and easily.
- Author: Joe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti, cooked al dente
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Liquids & Fats
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and let the sauce thicken slightly for about 5 minutes.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Add the cooked spaghetti and chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy sauce.
- Add cheese and melt: Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet and let it sit off the heat for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt beautifully.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve warm for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken seasoning.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy alternative, noting the sauce may be less rich.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Feel free to swap Monterey Jack cheese with mozzarella or cheddar for a different cheesy flavor.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute spaghetti with gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Monterey Chicken Spaghetti, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, cheesy spaghetti recipe, comfort food pasta