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Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 12 reviews

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy, comforting pasta dish combining tender, seasoned chicken with al dente spaghetti and a luscious sauce made from chicken broth, heavy cream, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Infused with garlic, onions, and Italian seasonings, this easy-to-make recipe offers a flavorful weeknight dinner that’s both rich and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 ounces spaghetti, cooked al dente

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the spaghetti: Prepare the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken pieces with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. 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 and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Make the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to thicken slightly, about 5 minutes.
  5. Combine pasta and chicken: Return the cooked spaghetti and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
  6. Add cheese: Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt into the dish.
  7. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve the Monterey Chicken Spaghetti warm.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes during step 3 while sautéing the garlic.
  • To reduce fat content, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
  • To make it gluten free, use gluten-free spaghetti noodles.
  • Freshly grated Monterey Jack cheese melts best and enhances flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: Monterey Chicken Spaghetti, creamy pasta, chicken pasta recipe, Monterey Jack cheese, easy weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/monterey-chicken-spaghetti-recipe/