**Monterey Chicken Spaghetti: A Delicious Twist on Tradition**
## Introduction
Imagine this: soft strands of spaghetti all tangled up with tender chunks of chicken, held together by a lusciously creamy sauce and topped off with heaps of melted cheese. Familiar yet unique, the Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a classic pasta dish that should definitely be on your dinner rotation!
## Why Make Monterey Chicken Spaghetti
This dish is the perfect blend of ease, comfort, and taste all in one meal. Not only is it quick to prep and bake, but it also uses everyday ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. You can feed a crowd, serve up a delicious family dinner, or store for meal prep. The best part? It’s incredibly flexible – switch up the proteins, throw in some veggies, add in different spices – make it your own!
## How to Make Monterey Chicken Spaghetti
### Ingredients:
Here’s everything you’ll need:
– 12 oz spaghetti
– 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
– 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
– 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
– 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
– 1/2 cup sour cream
– 1/2 cup chicken broth
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
### Directions:
Making Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a breeze! Check out these easy steps:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions, then drain.
3. In a large skillet, sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic in olive oil until they soften.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes.
5. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked spaghetti, shredded chicken, sautéed vegetables, cheeses, sour cream, chicken broth, and paprika.
6. Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish and top it off with the remaining cheese.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
## How to Serve Monterey Chicken Spaghetti
This dish is a meal in itself! It pairs well with a side of garlic bread to scoop up that delicious sauce, or a fresh salad to cut through the rich flavors. You could even top it with some extra cheese, or a sprinkle of chili flakes for some added heat.
## How to Store Monterey Chicken Spaghetti
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can even freeze portions for up to 2 months and reheat in the microwave when ready to enjoy!
## Tips to Make Monterey Chicken Spaghetti
Here are some handy tips to make this dish even better:
– Use any kind of cooked chicken – rotisserie, grilled or even leftover chicken works great!
– Add in some veggies like mushrooms, spinach or zucchini to boost the nutrition.
– For a spicy kick, throw in some red pepper flakes or diced jalapenos.
## Variation
You can use gluten-free spaghetti or any kind of pasta you have on hand – penne, fusilli or even lasagna!
## FAQs
**Can I use a different type of meat?**
Absolutely! Turkey, beef or even meat-free alternatives like tofu or tempeh would work well.
**What can I use instead of sour cream?**
You can replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt, cream cheese or even a dairy-free alternative.
**Can I make this dish ahead of time?**
Yes! You can prepare the dish, store it in the fridge and bake it just before serving.
Enjoy this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti and make dinner time exciting and delicious for everyone!