Description
Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender diced chicken breasts cooked with sautéed vegetables and Rotel tomatoes, combined with rich Monterey Jack cheese and a hint of smoky bacon. This quick and easy stovetop recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal that delivers a spicy, cheesy twist on classic chicken pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti
- 8 ounces spaghetti
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel tomatoes with green chiles, drained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, plus extra for topping
- 1/4 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Prepare the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the diced chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 to 8 minutes, until browned and fully cooked through.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced red bell pepper to the skillet with the chicken. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes and Cream: Stir in the drained Rotel tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Melt Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese until it melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy chicken and vegetable sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the crumbled bacon and sliced green onions over the top. Add extra shredded Monterey Jack cheese if desired. Serve the dish warm for a comforting, cheesy chicken spaghetti experience.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, add an extra 1/4 cup of heavy cream when combining the sauce ingredients.
- Substitute Monterey Jack cheese with Pepper Jack cheese for a spicier flavor profile.
