Description

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring shredded chicken, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses. This comforting casserole combines flavorful spices and a creamy sour cream sauce baked to bubbly perfection, making it an easy and satisfying weeknight 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

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 Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for baking the casserole.
Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain well and set aside for later mixing.
Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Prepare Chicken Mixture: Add shredded chicken, drained diced tomatoes with green chilies, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until everything is warmed through and combined.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked spaghetti, chicken mixture, sour cream, milk, and half portions of both Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses until well blended.
Assemble Casserole: Transfer this combined mixture into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses evenly on top, then scatter the sliced green onions over the cheese.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top. Remove from oven and serve hot.

Notes

You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
Drain the diced tomatoes well to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
For a spicier kick, add extra diced green chilies or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
For a lower-fat option, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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