Description

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring tender shredded chicken, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and a flavorful blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses. This comforting casserole combines smoky paprika and fragrant garlic with a creamy sour cream and milk sauce, all baked to bubbly perfection and topped with fresh green onions for a deliciously satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz spaghetti

Chicken Mixture

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Cheese and Dairy

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk

Garnish

1/4 cup green onions, sliced

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Cook Chicken Mixture: Add shredded cooked chicken, drained diced tomatoes with green chilies, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is heated through and flavors meld.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked spaghetti, chicken mixture, sour cream, milk, half of the Monterey Jack cheese, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Assemble and Bake: Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top and garnish with sliced green onions. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Serve hot for best flavor.

Notes

You can substitute the cooked chicken with rotisserie chicken for convenience.
To add extra flavor, consider mixing in some chopped jalapeños or bell peppers with the chicken mixture.
If a creamier texture is desired, you may increase the sour cream to 3/4 cup.
Feel free to replace the milk with half-and-half for a richer dish.
This recipe can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking; just increase baking time slightly if baking directly from the fridge.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Monterey Chicken Spaghetti, baked pasta casserole, cheesy chicken spaghetti, creamy baked spaghetti, easy dinner recipes