Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

This Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is rich and creamy with big chunks of chicken and full of flavor. If you love easy, cheesy pasta dishes then this is the recipe for you.

Love this recipe? Next time try Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel - two words - A MAZING!!! It's the inspiration for this new casserole!

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe   
• Ingredients
• Instructions 
• Equipment
• FAQ's
• Tips
• Variations
• Storage
• Related recipes
• Serve with
• Monterey Spaghetti

Why you'll love this recipe   

✔️ This cheesy chicken recipe is so easy to make but tastes creamy and delicious.

✔️ Ready in under an hour for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

✔️All ingredients simple ingredients can be easily found in your local grocery store.

Ingredients

For the exact measurements for this easy chicken casserole, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

• spaghetti - you can substitute fettuccine pasta if you'd prefer.
• cooked chicken breast, leftover chicken - rotisserie chicken is great for this recipe!
• package frozen chopped spinach
• ricotta cheese or sour cream
• cream of chicken soup
• evaporated milk or whole milk
• ranch dressing mix
• shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
• crispy fried onions

Instructions 

This is an overview of the instructions for the Monterey Chicken Recipe. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

1. Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.
2. Break the spaghetti into thirds and cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling water to al dente. Drain spaghetti well.
3. While the pasta is cooking combine the evaporated milk, chicken soup, ricotta cheese and ranch dressing in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth.
4. Drain the spinach well. Squeeze out excess water between two paper towels.
5. Add the chopped chicken, spinach and Monterey Jack cheese to the sauce.
6. Stir in the cooked pasta. 
7. Transfer to the baking dish, top with fried onions and cover with foil.
8. Bake at 350º for 20 minutes
9. At then end of 20 minutes remove foil and top with fried onions. Return to oven for another five minutes, or until onions are crisp and golden brown

Equipment

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• You'll need a large baking dish. This casserole dish is gorgeous and easily goes from oven to table for serving!

FAQ's

Tips

• This casserole can be assembled a day ahead and covered with foil and stored in the fridge until you are ready to make it. Just be sure not to add the fried onions when you assemble.
• If you want to make this dish even heartier, you can top with crispy bacon or ham.
• This dish is also great for leftovers. Simply reheat in the oven for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.
• If you prefer a thinner sauce add a splash of chicken broth to the cheesy sauce.
• Don't forget to salt your pasta water when you are cooking your pasta! It really gives your pasta great flavor.

Variations

• Switch out the cooked chicken with cooked ham for a different twist.
• Add in your favorite cooked vegetables, like mushrooms, or broccoli.
• Not a fan of spinach? Leave it out! Top with thinly sliced green onions for a light onion flavor.
• Change up the cheese in this recipe and use your favorite. For example Mexican blend or cheddar cheese would taste great. Sub the fried onions for parmesan cheese - yum!
• Make this creamy recipe vegetarian by leaving out the chicken.
• If you enjoy whole wheat pasta, it will work great in this recipe.

Storage

Refrigerate - Cool to room temperature. Store your Monterey Chicken Spaghetti casserole in the fridge tightly sealed with plastic wrap or foil for up to three days.

Freezer - Freeze this casserole by wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. It will keep for up to two months. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight.

Reheat - Reheat single servings in the microwave for one to two minutes or a large portion in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Related recipes

This Chicken and Broccoli Pasta recipe is another creamy chicken dish that you may want to try.

Creamy Taco Spaghetti Casserole is SO GOOD! Sub it out for your next Taco Tuesday!

Of course you need to try the original Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel Tomatoes - filled with cheesy pasta goodness!

If you love cheesy chicken recipes like this, I think you will enjoy this Cheesy Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole recipe or the Alfredo Stuffed Shells - AMAZING!

If you love that crunchy topping be sure to try the Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole Recipe - it's delicious!

Chicken Noodle Casserole is hearty and comforting is makes for a filling family-friendly meal.

Looking for a bowl of warm soup? Try this Chicken and Dumplings Soup recipe.

Serve with

This Monterey Chicken Spaghetti recipe would be so tasty when served with a green salad and some freshly baked rolls. Some other side option suggestions would be green vegetables like green beans or brussel sprouts.

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