Monterey Chicken Spaghetti – A Creamy, Cheesy Twist on Classic Comfort Food

🎉 Introduction

If you’re craving a comforting pasta dish that’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor, this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is just what your dinner table needs. It’s a Tex-Mex-inspired spin on a classic, combining juicy chicken, tender spaghetti, a garlic-infused cream sauce, and plenty of melty Monterey Jack cheese.

Unlike the traditional baked spaghetti casserole, this recipe is made mostly on the stovetop for ease and speed. You’ll love how the paprika and Italian seasoning create subtle smoky-herb depth, while the heavy cream and melted cheese bring that ultra-cozy finish.

This dish is crowd-pleasing, easy to make, and feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large pot (for boiling pasta)
• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Cutting board and knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Cheese grater
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Strainer or colander

🛒 Ingredients

🍗 Meat

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

🧅 Vegetables & Aromatics

• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

🥫 Pantry & Broth

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 12 oz spaghetti

🧂 Spices

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

🧈 Fats & Oils

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter

🧀 Dairy

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1. Cook the Spaghetti

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package directions.
3. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.

Step 2. Season and Cook the Chicken

1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and half of the Italian seasoning.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the chicken and cook 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Remove from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly or shredding.

Step 3. Sauté the Aromatics

1. In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter.
2. Sauté diced onion for 3–4 minutes until soft and translucent.
3. Add minced garlic and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.

Step 4. Make the Creamy Sauce

1. Pour in the chicken broth and stir to deglaze the skillet.
2. Add heavy cream and remaining Italian seasoning.
3. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Stir in shredded Monterey Jack cheese and mix until smooth and melty.
5. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 5. Combine Everything

1. Add cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss gently to coat.
2. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
3. Add sliced or shredded chicken back into the skillet and stir to combine.

Step 6. Garnish and Serve

• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra cheese if desired.
• Serve hot with garlic bread or a crisp green salad.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 25 minutes
• Total time: ~40 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze portions in sealed containers for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or cream to rehydrate the sauce.

🥄 Variations

• Bacon Lover’s Twist: Add cooked crumbled bacon for a smoky finish.
• Spicy Kick: Add ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• Cheese Swap: Use mozzarella, pepper jack, or cheddar in place of Monterey Jack.
• Veggie Add-In: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted bell peppers.
• Baked Version: Transfer to a baking dish, top with cheese, and broil for a few minutes.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just shred and warm it in the sauce during the final step.

2. Can I use a different pasta?
Yes—penne, fettuccine, or linguine all work well.

3. Is Monterey Jack the only cheese option?
Nope! Mozzarella, fontina, or cheddar are great alternatives.

4. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes—store fully cooked and reheat gently with added broth or cream.

5. Can I make this dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free cream and cheese alternative. Coconut cream works, but will change the flavor.

6. Can I skip the pasta water?
Yes, but it helps emulsify and loosen the sauce if needed.

7. What does Monterey Jack taste like?
It’s a mild, buttery cheese that melts smoothly—perfect for creamy pasta dishes.

8. Can I add vegetables?
Definitely! Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or peas work wonderfully.

9. What protein can I use instead of chicken?
Shrimp, turkey, or tofu are great alternatives.

10. Can I make it spicy?
Yes—add hot sauce, chili flakes, or use pepper jack cheese for heat.

🏁 Conclusion

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is the kind of dish that turns everyday ingredients into something spectacularly satisfying. With its creamy sauce, juicy chicken, and comforting spaghetti noodles, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners.

Whether you serve it with garlic bread, salad, or just a big appetite, this pasta dish checks all the boxes for flavor, ease, and comfort.

Adam

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti – A Creamy, Cheesy Twist on Classic Comfort Food

If you’re craving a comforting pasta dish that’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor, this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is just what your dinner table needs. It’s a Tex-Mex-inspired spin on a classic, combining juicy chicken, tender spaghetti, a garlic-infused cream sauce, and plenty of melty Monterey Jack cheese. Unlike the traditional baked spaghetti casserole, this recipe is made mostly on the stovetop for ease and speed. You’ll love how the paprika and Italian seasoning create subtle smoky-herb depth, while the heavy cream and melted cheese bring that ultra-cozy finish. This dish is crowd-pleasing, easy to make, and feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍗 Meat

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

🧅 Vegetables & Aromatics

• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

🥫 Pantry & Broth

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 12 oz spaghetti

🧂 Spices

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

🧈 Fats & Oils

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter

🧀 Dairy

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Equipment

• Large pot (for boiling pasta)
• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Cutting board and knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Cheese grater
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Strainer or colander

Method

 

Step 1. Cook the Spaghetti

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package directions.
3. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.

Step 2. Season and Cook the Chicken

1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and half of the Italian seasoning.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the chicken and cook 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Remove from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly or shredding.

Step 3. Sauté the Aromatics

1. In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter.
2. Sauté diced onion for 3–4 minutes until soft and translucent.
3. Add minced garlic and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.

Step 4. Make the Creamy Sauce

1. Pour in the chicken broth and stir to deglaze the skillet.
2. Add heavy cream and remaining Italian seasoning.
3. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Stir in shredded Monterey Jack cheese and mix until smooth and melty.
5. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 5. Combine Everything

1. Add cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss gently to coat.
2. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
3. Add sliced or shredded chicken back into the skillet and stir to combine.

Step 6. Garnish and Serve

1. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra cheese if desired.
2. Serve hot with garlic bread or a crisp green salad.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze portions in sealed containers for up to 2 months.

Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of broth or cream to rehydrate the sauce.

🥄 Variations
Bacon Lover’s Twist: Add cooked crumbled bacon for a smoky finish.

Spicy Kick: Add ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Cheese Swap: Use mozzarella, pepper jack, or cheddar in place of Monterey Jack.

Veggie Add-In: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted bell peppers.

Baked Version: Transfer to a baking dish, top with cheese, and broil for a few minutes.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just shred and warm it in the sauce during the final step.

2. Can I use a different pasta?
Yes—penne, fettuccine, or linguine all work well.

3. Is Monterey Jack the only cheese option?
Nope! Mozzarella, fontina, or cheddar are great alternatives.

4. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes—store fully cooked and reheat gently with added broth or cream.

5. Can I make this dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free cream and cheese alternative. Coconut cream works, but will change the flavor.

6. Can I skip the pasta water?
Yes, but it helps emulsify and loosen the sauce if needed.

7. What does Monterey Jack taste like?
It’s a mild, buttery cheese that melts smoothly—perfect for creamy pasta dishes.

8. Can I add vegetables?
Definitely! Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or peas work wonderfully.

9. What protein can I use instead of chicken?
Shrimp, turkey, or tofu are great alternatives.

10. Can I make it spicy?
Yes—add hot sauce, chili flakes, or use pepper jack cheese for heat.

🏁 Conclusion
Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is the kind of dish that turns everyday ingredients into something spectacularly satisfying. With its creamy sauce, juicy chicken, and comforting spaghetti noodles, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners.

Whether you serve it with garlic bread, salad, or just a big appetite, this pasta dish checks all the boxes for flavor, ease, and comfort.