Monterey Chicken Spaghetti (Print)
Creamy baked spaghetti with chicken, peppers, and Monterey Jack cheese sauce
# What You 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
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add onions and bell pepper; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute longer.
04 - Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth. Cook, whisking, until thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
05 - Add Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream, followed by the chicken and cooked spaghetti. Toss until evenly combined.
07 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top.
08 - Bake for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly golden.
09 - Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy sauce clings to every strand of spaghetti, making each bite impossibly comforting
- It transforms leftover chicken into something that tastes like it took all day to make
02 -
- Do not skip cooling the cheese sauce slightly before adding sour cream or it will curdle
- The pasta absorbs liquid while baking, so keep the sauce on the slightly loose side
03 -
- Grate your cheese from blocks for the smoothest melting sauce possible
- Undercook the spaghetti by 1-2 minutes since it will finish in the oven