Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

why make this recipe

This dish mixes pasta, chicken, cheese, bacon, and tomatoes for a full and tasty meal. It cooks fast enough for weeknights and makes good leftovers. The flavors please kids and adults.

introduction

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is creamy, cheesy, and easy to make. It combines cooked spaghetti with a rich cheese sauce, diced chicken, bacon, and tomatoes. If you like quick chicken dishes, you can also try 15-minute garlic butter chicken bites as another simple meal idea.

how to make Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

Cook the pasta and make the sauce on the stove. Brown the diced chicken with seasoning, add garlic, then pour in cream and chicken broth. Melt in the cheeses until smooth. Toss the cooked spaghetti, bacon, tomatoes, and some green onions into the sauce. Put everything in a baking dish, top with more cheese if you want, and bake until bubbly. Let it rest a few minutes, then garnish and serve.

Ingredients :

• 12 oz dried spaghetti pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (diced)
• 8 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups monterey jack cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (drained)
• 0.5 cup chopped green onions
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• salt and black pepper (to taste)

Directions :

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season diced chicken with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
4. Cook chicken in the skillet for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Add minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes more.
5. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, bring to a simmer, and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly reduced.
6. Reduce heat to low and gradually add shredded cheeses, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
7. Add cooked spaghetti, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, and half the green onions to the cheese sauce. Toss until evenly combined.
8. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle additional cheese on top if desired.
9. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
10. Garnish with remaining green onions and serve hot.

how to serve Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

Serve hot from the oven. Plate with a side salad or steamed vegetables. A simple green salad or garlic bread works well. Cut into portions and scoop onto plates while cheese is warm.

how to store Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

Cool the dish to room temperature before storing. Put leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. To freeze, place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

tips to make Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

• Use chicken breast or thigh as you prefer; thighs give more flavor.
• Cook pasta just until al dente so it does not get too soft after baking.
• Drain tomatoes well to keep the dish from getting watery.
• Stir cheeses slowly into low heat to keep the sauce smooth.
• Save some green onions for fresh garnish to add color and flavor.

variation (if any)

• Make it spicy: add a half teaspoon of cayenne or chopped jalapeño.
• Swap pasta: use penne or rotini instead of spaghetti.
• Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.
• Make it lighter: use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce cheese a little.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when you are ready.

Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
A: Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm, about 15-20 minutes, or microwave single portions until hot.

Q: Can I freeze the cooked casserole?
A: Yes. Cool fully, wrap well, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking or reheating.

Q: Can I use a different cheese?
A: Yes. Pepper jack adds spice, and mozzarella adds stretch. Mix cheeses to taste.

Q: Is this safe to leave out after baking?
A: Do not leave it out more than 2 hours at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.

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