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Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 64 reviews

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish featuring tender seasoned chicken breasts, a rich sauce made from chicken broth, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup, combined with Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar cheeses. Baby spinach adds a fresh touch, and crispy fried onions on top provide a delightful crunch. This hearty, comforting meal is perfect for family dinners and easy to prepare on the stovetop with a final broil to melt the cheese and crisp the onions.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 ounces spaghetti

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds total)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

Sauce

  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup (252 g) chicken broth
  • 1 cup (230 g) sour cream
  • 2 cans (10.5 ounces each) cream of chicken soup
  • 3 cups (339 g) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded, divided
  • 1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 container (5 ounces) fresh baby spinach
  • 1 cup crispy fried onions (like French’s or homemade)
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Boil Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
  3. Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook about 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken from skillet, place on a plate, and cover to keep warm.
  4. Sauté Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, then stir in minced garlic and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add Chicken Broth: Slowly pour in the chicken broth, using a spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate all flavors.
  6. Mix in Sour Cream and Cream of Chicken Soup: Add sour cream and cream of chicken soup to the skillet. Whisk thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and combined. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. Incorporate Cheeses: Stir in 2 cups of Monterey Jack cheese and all the sharp cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
  8. Add Spinach: Add the fresh baby spinach to the sauce and stir until the spinach is wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  9. Toss Spaghetti with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to coat the noodles evenly with the creamy cheese sauce.
  10. Arrange Chicken and Cheese: Place the cooked chicken breasts on top of the spaghetti. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese over the chicken and pasta.
  11. Broil with Crispy Onions: Top everything with crispy fried onions. Place the skillet or transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish and broil on low for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the onions are crispy. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  12. Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the dish to set.

Notes

  • Use fresh baby spinach but you can substitute with frozen spinach if needed; just thaw and drain excess water before adding.
  • For a spicier kick, increase crushed red pepper flakes or add chopped jalapeños when sautéing garlic.
  • Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave; cover to retain moisture.
  • For a lower fat version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese.
  • If crispy fried onions aren’t available, you can make your own by thinly slicing onions, coating them lightly with flour, and frying until golden brown.

Keywords: Monterey Chicken Spaghetti, cheesy chicken pasta, creamy chicken spaghetti, one skillet chicken pasta, quick dinner, easy family meal

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