Monterey Chicken Spaghetti (Printable)

Creamy baked spaghetti with chicken and melted Monterey Jack cheese sauce.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz spaghetti

→ Chicken

02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced (about 10 oz)

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add diced onions and bell peppers; sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir flour into the vegetable mixture and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth. Continue whisking and cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and bubbles.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Add shredded Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir until cheeses are completely melted and sauce is smooth.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in sour cream until incorporated. Add cooked chicken and drained spaghetti. Toss everything together until evenly coated with sauce.
07 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese over the top in an even layer.
08 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is lightly golden brown.
09 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions before serving hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The creamy cheese sauce clings to every strand of spaghetti, creating the kind of dish that makes people go quiet after the first bite.
  • It transforms leftover chicken into something that feels special enough for Sunday dinner but comes together on a busy weeknight.
02 -
  • Do not skip the step of removing the cheese sauce from the heat before adding the sour cream, or it may separate and become grainy.
  • The casserole will seem quite loose when you put it in the oven, but it sets up beautifully as it bakes and cools slightly.
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese from blocks instead of buying pre-shredded bags for a sauce that melts more smoothly.
  • Let the finished casserole rest for at least five minutes before serving so it holds its shape better when scooped.

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