Dreamy Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Monterey chicken spaghetti offers a delightful twist on classic comfort food that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Creamy cheese and tender chicken merge beautifully in this one-pan marvel.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this recipe delivers pure satisfaction.

Pasta lovers will adore the rich, melted monterey jack that coats each strand.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this meal comes together with minimal effort.

Simple ingredients transform into a crowd-pleasing dish that feels like a warm hug.

You’ll want seconds before finishing your first serving, guaranteed.

Why Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Is Packed With Flavor

• Rescue Weeknight Dinners: Tackle busy evenings with this simple, satisfying chicken pasta casserole that transforms basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal.
• Customize Your Comfort: Adapt the recipe with different vegetables, cheese varieties, or protein options to match your family's taste preferences and pantry supplies.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by using the same skillet for multiple cooking steps, reducing dishes and saving precious time during meal preparation.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Create a creamy, cheesy dish that appeals to both kids and adults, making mealtime stress-free and enjoyable for everyone around the table.

Ingredients For Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender meat that provides a hearty base for the casserole and adds substantial protein to the dish.

• Spaghetti: A classic pasta that creates a comforting foundation and absorbs the creamy sauce beautifully.

• Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor and helps create a rich, savory liquid component.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a luxurious, velvety texture to the sauce.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Enhances the creamy consistency and adds additional chicken flavor.
• Butter: Contributes richness and helps smooth out the sauce.

• Onions, Bell Peppers, Garlic: These aromatics add layers of flavor and create a delicious vegetable base for the casserole.

• Monterey Jack Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a creamy, mild cheese flavor to the top of the casserole.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh finish and adds a pop of color.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance and balance the overall flavor of the dish.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing chicken and sautéing vegetables, adding a subtle flavor.

How To Cook Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up the oven to 375°F and coat a large baking dish with a light layer of cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Season and Sear Chicken

Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Heat a skillet with olive oil and cook chicken until golden brown on both sides, creating a delicious crust.

Step 3: Chop Chicken

Let the chicken cool slightly, then slice into bite-sized cubes for easy mixing and eating.

Step 4: Sauté Vegetables

• Onions
• Bell peppers
• Minced garlic

Step 5: Cook Spaghetti

Boil salted water and cook spaghetti until it reaches al dente texture, then drain completely.

Step 6: Whip Up Creamy Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Cream of chicken soup
• Butter

Whisk until the sauce becomes smooth and silky.

Step 7: Combine All Ingredients

Gently fold the chopped chicken, sautéed vegetables, and cooked spaghetti into the creamy sauce, ensuring everything gets a delicious coating.

Step 8: Assemble Casserole

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle generously with shredded Monterey jack cheese.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden-brown topping.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot for a comforting meal that’ll make everyone smile.

Tips To Make Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Just Right

• Sear Chicken Perfectly: Pat chicken dry before searing to achieve a golden-brown crust that locks in maximum flavor and moisture.
• Prevent Soggy Pasta: Slightly undercook spaghetti during initial boiling since it will continue cooking in the creamy sauce and oven.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Let cheese sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before sprinkling to ensure more even and smoother melting.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a splash of white wine or a pinch of dried herbs like thyme or oregano to enhance the sauce's complexity.
• Make It Lighter: Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half and use low-fat cream of chicken soup to reduce overall calorie content.

Ways To Change Up Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

• Spicy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a fiery kick and substitute Monterey jack with pepper jack cheese.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace spaghetti with spiralized zucchini noodles and use cauliflower cream sauce instead of traditional heavy cream for a healthier alternative.
• Mediterranean-Style Chicken Pasta: Swap bell peppers with roasted artichokes, use feta cheese instead of Monterey jack, and add sun-dried tomatoes and oregano for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Chicken Spaghetti Bake: Use gluten-free spaghetti, replace cream of chicken soup with homemade cashew cream, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

What Pairs Nicely With Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

• Savor Chicken Spaghetti's Perfect Companions
• Boost Citrusy White Wine Pairing: Crisp sauvignon blanc cuts through creamy sauce, refreshing palate with bright acidity and complementing rich chicken flavors.
• Elevate Fresh Green Salad Side: Lightweight mixed greens with tangy vinaigrette balance dish's richness, adding crunch and providing refreshing contrast to cheesy spaghetti.
• Complement Roasted Vegetable Medley: Herb-seasoned zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus roasted with olive oil enhance meal's vegetable components, creating harmonious texture and flavor profile.

How To Store Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Easily

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Ensure container is clean and dry before placing food inside.
• Transfer cooled dish to freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for 2-3 months. Label container with date and contents.
• Place portion on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for this chicken spaghetti dish?

The key ingredients include chicken breasts, spaghetti, bell peppers, onions, heavy cream, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, Monterey jack cheese, and fresh parsley.

• Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute Monterey jack with cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of cheeses based on your preference and what you have available.

• Is this recipe considered spicy?

No, this recipe is mild and creamy. If you want more heat, you can add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños during the vegetable sautéing stage.

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Monterey chicken spaghetti brings zesty comfort to dinner tables with its creamy, cheesy allure. Hearty ingredients mingle perfectly, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lb chicken breast
• 0.5 lb monterey jack cheese

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 cup diced onions
• 0.5 cup diced bell peppers
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Liquid and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 1 can (10 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 16 oz spaghetti pasta
• 0.25 cup butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing its surface.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, then sear in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden brown on both sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
3. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside to cool slightly, then dice into bite-sized cubes.
4. In the same skillet, sauté onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
5. Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
6. Create the creamy sauce by whisking together chicken broth, heavy cream, cream of chicken soup, and butter in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well combined.
7. Fold the diced chicken, sautéed vegetables, and cooked spaghetti into the creamy sauce, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
8. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top generously with shredded Monterey jack cheese.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with a slight golden crust.
10. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

• Perfectly sear chicken by ensuring the skillet is hot and using a neutral oil with a high smoke point like canola or grapeseed to prevent burning.
• Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, reducing overall calorie content without compromising creamy texture.
• Add depth to the dish by incorporating roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for an extra layer of complex flavor and subtle sweetness.
• Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free spaghetti and replacing cream of chicken soup with a homemade blend of cornstarch, chicken broth, and seasonings.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 668
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1076 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 63 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 128 mg