Monterey Chicken Spaghetti (Print Version)
Comforting spaghetti with chicken and creamy Monterey Jack sauce, baked to golden perfection.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz spaghetti
→ Chicken
02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 cup yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce & Dairy
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
08 - 2 cups whole milk
09 - 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
10 - 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
11 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1/4 cup sour cream
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
15 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
→ Topping
16 - 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
17 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add diced onions and bell peppers; sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute longer until fragrant.
04 - Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute to cook out raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth, continuing to whisk until smooth. Cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika until completely melted and sauce is smooth and creamy.
06 - Stir sour cream into cheese sauce until well incorporated. Add cooked chicken and drained spaghetti, tossing gently until evenly coated with sauce.
07 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle remaining Monterey Jack cheese over the top in an even layer.
08 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown on top.
09 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions before serving hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its the ultimate comfort food mashup that feels like a warm hug on a plate
- The creamy cheese sauce clings to every strand of spaghetti while the chicken keeps it hearty and satisfying
02 -
- The sauce might look thin at first but will thicken beautifully in the oven, so don't panic
- Letting the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking makes serving much easier and cleaner
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for the smoothest sauce
- Taste the sauce before adding the chicken and pasta, adjusting seasonings as needed