Monterey Chicken Spaghetti: A Comforting, Flavor-Packed Pasta Dish
Monterey Chicken Spaghetti: A Comforting, Flavor-Packed Pasta Dish made with tender seasoned chicken, creamy garlic sauce, and melty Monterey Jack cheese. This easy family dinner is rich, hearty, and ready in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
12 ounces spaghetti, cooked al dente
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat and allow sauce to thicken slightly, about 5 minutes.
Return cooked spaghetti and chicken to the skillet. Toss until evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
Sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let sit for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted.
Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
For extra richness, add 2 tablespoons cream cheese to the sauce.
Substitute rotisserie chicken to save time.
Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra vegetables.
For a baked version, transfer to a casserole dish and broil for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden on top.
