Go Back
A close-up shot of the ingredients for cheesy chicken spaghetti, including chicken breast, bacon, BBQ sauce, and Monterey Jack cheese.

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti: The Ultimate Cheesy BBQ Bacon Pasta

Discover the ultimate weeknight dinner with this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti recipe. A creamy, cheesy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a smoky BBQ sauce. This one-pan meal is ready in under 40 minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 750

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb spaghetti
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 oz bacon chopped
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite brand
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese shredded, divided
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chiles undrained
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 1 Large Pot

Instructions
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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 1: For an even cheesier dish, transfer the finished spaghetti to a baking dish, top with cheese, and broil for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and golden.
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.
QR Code linking back to recipe