Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight meal: Monterey Chicken Spaghetti. This dish takes all the irresistible flavors of classic Monterey chicken—smoky BBQ sauce, savory bacon, and heaps of melted cheese—and transforms them into an incredibly satisfying pasta dinner. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings a unique and delicious twist to your pasta night rotation. We’ve designed this recipe to be straightforward, packed with flavor, and perfect for enthusiastic home cooks looking to impress family and friends.
This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a hearty, comforting meal that combines tender chicken, salty bacon, and al dente spaghetti, all tossed in a creamy, tangy BBQ cheese sauce. It’s the kind of dinner that gets everyone excited to sit down at the table.
Why You’ll Love This Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of smoky BBQ sauce, savory bacon, and sharp Monterey Jack cheese creates a bold and unforgettable flavor profile.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight, coming together with minimal fuss and simple steps.
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will love the cheesy, saucy goodness of this comforting pasta dish.
- Perfectly Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite veggies or switch up the cheese to make this dish your own.
The Key Ingredients
At the heart of this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a simple list of powerful ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building the signature flavor of this dish.
- Spaghetti: The classic pasta choice provides the perfect base for our rich and creamy sauce.
- Chicken Breast: We use boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed for quick cooking and perfect bite-sized pieces.
- Bacon: Crispy, salty bacon adds a layer of savory depth and a delightful texture.
- BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite brand! A smoky and slightly sweet BBQ sauce works best.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: This cheese is key. It melts beautifully and has a mild, buttery flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
- Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles: A can of Ro-Tel or similar adds a gentle heat and a zesty kick.
- Cream Cheese: This is our secret to an ultra-creamy sauce that coats every single strand of spaghetti.
- Garlic and Onion: These aromatics provide the foundational flavor base for the sauce.
How to Make Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping pasta dinner. We’ll guide you through each part of the process, ensuring a perfect result every time.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon and Chicken: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet. Add the cubed chicken to the same skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through.
- Build the Sauce: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until softened. Stir in the cream cheese until it melts, then add the BBQ sauce, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and half of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked bacon to the skillet and add the drained spaghetti. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the luscious sauce.
- Melt and Serve: Top the pasta with the remaining Monterey Jack cheese, cover the skillet, and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese is perfectly melted and gooey. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Pro Tips for the Best Result
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the spaghetti just until al dente. It will continue to absorb a little sauce, so this prevents it from becoming mushy.
- Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly. Shredding your own Monterey Jack will result in a creamier sauce.
- Reserve Pasta Water: If your sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the starchy pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Control the Spice: If you’re sensitive to heat, use a can of mild diced tomatoes and green chiles, or substitute with plain diced tomatoes.
What to Serve with Your Pasta
While this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a complete meal on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the dish. For a heartier meal, consider serving it with some delicious homemade white bread for dipping or a side of Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts. And if you’re a fan of cheesy goodness, you can never go wrong with a side of our famous Garlic Cheese Bombs.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Monterey Chicken Spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even more delicious the next day.
Reheating
For best results, reheat the spaghetti gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
Monterey Chicken Spaghetti FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the entire dish, place it in a baking dish, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to eat, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
Absolutely! While we love spaghetti, this recipe works great with other pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rotini. Use whatever you have on hand.
This recipe has a very mild level of heat from the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles. For a spicier version, you can use a ‘hot’ variety of diced tomatoes and chiles, add a pinch of red pepper flakes, or use a spicy BBQ sauce.
Monterey Chicken is a popular American dish, typically featuring chicken breast smothered in BBQ sauce, topped with bacon, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. This recipe incorporates all those classic flavors into a delicious pasta dish.
While this recipe calls for cubed chicken for quicker cooking, you could also use shredded chicken. To do this, cook the chicken breasts whole, then shred them with two forks or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment before adding them to the sauce.
We Hope You Enjoyed This Recipe!
This Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a true testament to how a few simple ingredients can create something truly special. It’s a comforting, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that’s sure to become a staple in your home. If you make it, we’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation on Pinterest!
Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Monterey Chicken Spaghetti: The Ultimate Cheesy BBQ Bacon Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- While pasta is cooking, place chopped bacon in a large cold skillet or Dutch oven. Cook over medium heat until crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet. Add the cubed chicken to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the softened cream cheese until it melts completely into the onions and garlic. Pour in the BBQ sauce and the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles. Stir until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then stir in 1 cup of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Return the cooked chicken and half of the crispy bacon to the skillet. Add the drained spaghetti and toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated in the sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese and the rest of the bacon over the top. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Feel free to add in a cup of frozen corn or a can of drained black beans when you add the chicken back to the sauce for extra texture and flavor.
