Description
Indulgent Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a quick and comforting meal featuring tender chicken breasts, crispy bacon, and spaghetti tossed in a creamy Monterey Jack cheese sauce. This 40-minute dish blends savory garlic, rich cream, and flavorful chicken broth to create a satisfying, homestyle pasta that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Spaghetti Pasta
Protein
- 2 pieces Chicken Breasts
- 4 strips Bacon
Dairy & Cream
- 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
Liquids
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Produce & Herbs
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Seasonings
- Salt & Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining and setting the pasta aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken from skillet and let rest before slicing.
- Cook the Bacon: In the same skillet, add bacon strips and cook until crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Drain bacon on paper towels and reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings in the skillet.
- Sauté Garlic: Lower heat to medium-low, add minced garlic to the reserved bacon drippings, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream to the skillet. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Add Cheese: Gradually stir in the Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked spaghetti, sliced chicken breasts, and crumbled bacon to the sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Plate the chicken spaghetti and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve warm for the best comfort meal experience.
Notes
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- You can use cheddar cheese instead of Monterey Jack for a sharper flavor.
- Vegetable broth can replace chicken broth for a lighter taste or a vegetarian option without the chicken.
- Reserve pasta water helps to thin the sauce and helps it cling better to the pasta.
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing ensures it remains juicy and tender.
