Description
Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Pasta is a delicious and creamy pasta dish featuring tender seasoned chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich Monterey Jack cheese sauce. This recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, combining flavorful spices, cheesy goodness, and healthy broccoli for a balanced meal everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cooked and diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz spaghetti (about half a box)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook the pasta and broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. During the last 3-4 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets. Drain well and set aside.
- Season the chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the diced chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper evenly.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Lower the skillet heat and pour in the heavy cream. Stir in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and lemon juice. Cook the sauce for 3-5 minutes until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained spaghetti and broccoli into the skillet with the sauce. Toss carefully until the pasta is well coated and heated through.
- Add chicken to the dish: Stir in the cooked chicken, mixing all components thoroughly to combine flavors.
- Serve and garnish: Plate the Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Pasta into serving bowls. Garnish with chopped green onions and additional cheese if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your flavorful meal!
Notes
- Use fresh broccoli for a crunchier texture or frozen for convenience.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste, adding more paprika or garlic powder as preferred.
- You can substitute Monterey Jack cheese with mozzarella or cheddar if desired.
- For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce might be less rich.
- Garnish with additional herbs like parsley for extra freshness.
