Chicken Spaghetti Monterey (Printable Version)

Soft chicken, cheesy sauce, and spaghetti with herbs make a cozy and tasty pasta dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta and Proteins

01 - 450 grams boneless, skinless chicken breast
02 - 225 grams spaghetti

→ Dairy

03 - 100 grams shredded Monterey Jack cheese
04 - 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 240 milliliters heavy cream

→ Aromatics and Seasonings

06 - 120 grams diced onions
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 0.25 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
11 - 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Liquids and Fats

12 - 15 milliliters extra virgin olive oil
13 - 15 grams butter
14 - 120 milliliters chicken broth

→ Fresh Herbs

15 - 15 grams chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Boil spaghetti in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 74°C. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into strips.
03 - In the same skillet, melt butter. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant without browning.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up browned bits. Stir in heavy cream and cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
05 - Reduce heat to low and gradually add shredded Monterey Jack and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until fully melted and sauce is smooth.
06 - Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly with the creamy sauce.
07 - Arrange sliced chicken atop the coated pasta. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Allow the cheese to fully melt and blend before adding pasta for a silky sauce texture.
02 - Reserve pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.