Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) Recipe

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is the perfect marriage of creamy comfort and bold flavor, ideal for a family-style dinner or feeding a hungry crowd. With its luscious sauce, tender chicken, sneaky spinach, and the irresistible crunch of French Fried Onions, every forkful brings a warm, happy bite. Get ready for an easy-to-follow recipe where you’ll need to Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) not just once, but as an essential step that ensures golden, bubbling, cheesy perfection each time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of everyday ingredients can transform into a dinner that feels so special and homey! Each part of this recipe matters, building savory layers and those glorious, cheesy textures. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti irresistible.

• Spaghetti: The base of the dish that soaks up the luscious sauce and provides classic comfort.
• Chopped Cooked Chicken: Adds hearty protein and rich flavor—use rotisserie or leftovers for convenience.
• Sour Cream: Makes the sauce creamy, tangy, and utterly decadent.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Brings a savory depth and silkiness that ties everything together.
• Frozen Spinach (thawed and drained): Adds nutrition and a burst of color, with a gentle earthy flavor.
• Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese: Melts beautifully for those gooey, stretchy bites of cheesy bliss.
• Garlic Cloves (minced): Infuses the casserole with a subtle aromatic warmth and punch.
• French’s French Fried Onions: Provide that signature crispy, salty crunch on top and through the dish.

How to Make Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)

Step 1: Boil the Spaghetti

Start by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil and cooking your spaghetti according to the package directions. You want the noodles tender but not mushy, since they’ll continue cooking in the oven later. Drain well and set aside while you prep the rest of your ingredients.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Base

In a large bowl, mix together the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, thawed spinach, and minced garlic. Stir until you have a smooth, evenly combined sauce. This is where the magic starts, as each ingredient melds to create that classic comfort-casserole flavor.

Step 3: Combine Chicken, Cheese, and Sauce

Toss in your cooked chopped chicken and just over half (about 1½ cups) of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Give everything a good stir so the chicken is coated in garlicky, creamy goodness and there’s cheese studded throughout the mixture.

Step 4: Assemble and Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)

Here’s where you bring it all together! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready and waiting. In a large casserole dish, lay out the spaghetti first, then pour that rich chicken mixture over the top, gently spreading it into an even layer. This is what ensures every bite has a bit of everything.

Step 5: Top with Cheese and Onions

Scatter the remaining ½ cup of Monterey Jack cheese over the surface, then sprinkle on half the can of French Fried Onions. This layer of cheese and crunchy onions is key—it crisps up deliciously in the oven and gives the casserole its signature irresistible topping.

Step 6: Bake Until Bubbly

Slide the casserole into your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, the center is hot, and everything smells absolutely amazing. This step is why you Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C): it guarantees that perfect golden top and melty interior every time.

Step 7: Add More Crunch and Finish Baking

Remove the casserole and top with the rest of the French Fried Onions, then return it to the oven for about 5 more minutes. The extra time makes the onions golden, crisp, and nicely caramelized—a finishing touch that’s so worth it!

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Let your Monterey Chicken Spaghetti cool for just a few minutes. This makes it easier to cut and serve, plus the flavors settle and meld even more. Now’s the time to gather everyone around, because the aroma alone will pull them to the table!

How to Serve Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions wakes up all the creamy flavors and adds a touch of bright color. If you like a pop of heat, a few slices of fresh jalapeño or a light dusting of smoked paprika are delicious. Serving right after you Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) keeps everything wonderfully melty and fresh.

Side Dishes

Round out your meal with a crisp, cool side salad—something with a citrus vinaigrette balances the casserole’s richness perfectly. Crusty garlic bread or warm dinner rolls are also lovely for soaking up any extra sauce and making every dinner guest happy.

Creative Ways to Present

Try portioning the casserole into individual ramekins for a party-worthy look, or serve it family-style in a cast iron skillet straight from the oven for a cozy touch. For potlucks, you can even prepare it in a foil pan—keeping that Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) advice handy for easy reheating wherever you take it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool your Monterey Chicken Spaghetti completely, then cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and honestly tastes even better after the flavors have had time to mingle.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! Assemble it up through the last cheese and onion topping, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil. You can freeze it for up to 3 months—just make sure to label with cook instructions so you’ll remember to Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) when it’s time to bake.

Reheating

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), cover your portion with foil to prevent over-browning, and heat until hot and bubbly (about 20-25 minutes for a whole casserole, less for individual servings). For a crispy top, remove the foil for the last few minutes of heating. It microwaves well too, although you’ll lose a bit of that signature crispy onion crunch.

FAQs

Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

Yes! Just wilt about 8 ounces of fresh spinach in a pan, squeeze out any excess moisture, and chop roughly before adding to the mixture. Fresh spinach offers a brighter green note and works beautifully.

Is there a substitute for Monterey Jack cheese?

Absolutely—try mozzarella for a mild flavor or pepper jack if you want a bit of heat. Cheddar will work in a pinch, but Monterey Jack gives the creamiest melt and mild tang.

What kind of chicken works best?

Leftover rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver for both flavor and convenience, but any cooked, shredded or diced chicken breasts or thighs will work great. Just be sure it’s well seasoned for the most flavor.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Definitely. Assemble the casserole (but don’t bake), cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance. When you’re ready, Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then bake as directed.

How do I keep the French Fried Onions crispy?

Add half the onions before baking for flavor and structure, but always save the remaining half for the end. This two-step process, using a hot, preheated oven, guarantees they stay crisp and golden rather than soggy.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about gathering around a bubbling casserole, especially one as lovable as this Monterey Chicken Spaghetti. So grab your ingredients and don’t forget to Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)—it’s the first step to a meal your family will ask for again and again!

Print