Print

Flavor-Packed Pasta Dish Recipe

Flavor-Packed Pasta Dish Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 60 reviews

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti combines tender pieces of seasoned chicken with creamy Monterey Jack cheese, a luscious, savory sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta for a comforting, flavor-packed meal. It’s a family-friendly dish that brings together bold flavors and satisfying textures, all made in one skillet for easy cleanup. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings, this twist on classic pasta will soon become a household favorite.

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

Toppings & Garnish

  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the Spaghetti: Prepare the spaghetti according to package instructions in a pot of salted boiling water, cooking it until just al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
  2. Season and Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Toss the chicken pieces with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté the Aromatics: Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
  4. Build the Sauce: Pour the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for added flavor. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, reduce the heat to low, and let the sauce thicken slightly for about 5 minutes.
  5. Combine Chicken and Pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti and sautéed chicken back to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the spaghetti and chicken thoroughly in the creamy sauce.
  6. Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the pasta. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt into the hot pasta.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve the Monterey Chicken Spaghetti warm for a cozy, satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Swap Monterey Jack cheese with a mix of cheddar and mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
  • You can use rotisserie chicken as a shortcut to save time.
  • For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
  • Add vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to boost the nutrition and color.
  • This dish reheats well—store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: Monterey chicken spaghetti, creamy pasta, skillet dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/flavor-packed-pasta-dish-recipe/