Name: Baked Monterey Chicken Spaghetti With Lime Cilantro Cream Swirl
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Spaghetti (300g / 10.5oz): uncooked, for the base of the dish; Chicken Breasts (2, ≈300g / 10.5oz): diced into bite-sized pieces; Olive Oil (1 Tbsp / 15mL): extra virgin, for sautéing; Onion (1 small, finely chopped): yellow onion, for aromatic depth; Garlic (2 cloves, minced): fresh, for robust flavor; Chicken Broth (1 cup / 240mL): halal-certified, for savory base; Whole Milk (1 cup / 240mL): for richness and creaminess; Unsalted Butter (2 Tbsp / 30g): for creating a roux; All-Purpose Flour (2 Tbsp / 16g): for thickening the sauce; Monterey Jack Cheese (1 cup / 115g): halal-certified, shredded; Sharp Cheddar Cheese (½ cup / 55g): shredded; Jalapeño (1, seeded and finely diced): for a touch of heat; Lime Zest (from 1 lime): for citrusy aroma; Lime Juice (2 Tbsp / 30mL): fresh, for tangy flavor; Cilantro (¼ cup / 15g, chopped): fresh, for herbaceous flavor; Salt and Pepper (to taste): for seasoning; Pepitas (2 Tbsp / 30g, for garnish): toasted, for crunch

Description

This Baked Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken, a creamy cheese sauce, and a refreshing lime-cilantro swirl. It’s a vibrant twist on classic spaghetti bake, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Spaghetti (300g / 10.5oz): uncooked, for the base of the dish
Chicken Breasts (2, ≈300g / 10.5oz): diced into bite-sized pieces
Olive Oil (1 Tbsp / 15mL): extra virgin, for sautéing
Onion (1 small, finely chopped): yellow onion, for aromatic depth
Garlic (2 cloves, minced): fresh, for robust flavor
Chicken Broth (1 cup / 240mL): halal-certified, for savory base
Whole Milk (1 cup / 240mL): for richness and creaminess
Unsalted Butter (2 Tbsp / 30g): for creating a roux
All-Purpose Flour (2 Tbsp / 16g): for thickening the sauce
Monterey Jack Cheese (1 cup / 115g): halal-certified, shredded
Sharp Cheddar Cheese (½ cup / 55g): shredded
Jalapeño (1, seeded and finely diced): for a touch of heat
Lime Zest (from 1 lime): for citrusy aroma
Lime Juice (2 Tbsp / 30mL): fresh, for tangy flavor
Cilantro (¼ cup / 15g, chopped): fresh, for herbaceous flavor
Salt and Pepper (to taste): for seasoning
Pepitas (2 Tbsp / 30g, for garnish): toasted, for crunch

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Instructions

Cook Spaghetti: Boil spaghetti until al dente, then drain.
Sauté Chicken: Cook diced chicken in olive oil until golden brown.
Build Flavor Base: Sauté onion, garlic, and jalapeño until softened.
Create Roux: Melt butter, whisk in flour for 1 minute.
Develop Cream Sauce: Slowly add broth and milk, whisk until thickened.
Cheese It Up & Divide: Stir in half of each cheese, then divide sauce.
Infuse with Lime & Cilantro: Add lime zest, juice, and cilantro to one sauce portion.
Combine & Swirl: Combine spaghetti and chicken with plain sauce, swirl in lime-cilantro cream.
Bake to Perfection: Bake in a greased dish for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly.
Rest, Garnish & Serve: Let rest, garnish with pepitas and cilantro.

Notes

For a spicier kick, use Pepper Jack cheese. Assembling ahead of time is possible; add baking time if cold.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Pasta
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 550 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 60 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 100 mg