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Flavor-Packed Pasta Dish Recipe

Flavor-Packed Pasta Dish Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 19 reviews

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a comforting, creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, flavorful spices, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. This easy-to-make recipe combines sautéed chicken, onions, garlic, and a luscious cream sauce, tossed with spaghetti for a rich and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta

  • 12 ounces spaghetti, cooked al dente

For the Chicken and Sauce

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the spaghetti. Prepare the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  2. Cook the chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté onions and garlic. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Make the sauce. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and allow the sauce to thicken slightly for about 5 minutes.
  5. Toss pasta and chicken. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained spaghetti. Toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the creamy sauce.
  6. Add cheese. Sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet and let sit off the heat for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
  7. Serve. Remove the skillet from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve the Monterey Chicken Spaghetti warm for a rich and comforting meal.

Notes

  • Cooking spaghetti al dente ensures it retains a pleasant firmness and texture.
  • Adjust seasoning according to your taste, especially salt and pepper.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
  • Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes in step 3 can give the sauce a subtle kick.
  • For extra flavor, consider adding sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers with the onions.

Nutrition

Keywords: Monterey Chicken Spaghetti, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner recipe, comfort food, Monterey Jack cheese pasta

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