Description
This Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a flavorful, skillet-ready pasta dinner that blends smoky-seasoned chicken with buttery garlic oil and perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s a simple, rich, and satisfying dish that’s perfect for weeknights and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Pat dry and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
3. Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken pieces for 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add garlic with a bit more olive oil. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Add cooked spaghetti to the garlic oil. Stir in butter and reserved pasta water to form a light sauce.
6. Return chicken to the skillet and toss until everything is evenly coated.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Make sure the garlic doesn’t burn—it turns bitter quickly.
Sear the chicken without overcrowding the pan for the best golden crust.
Adding the reserved pasta water helps create a silky sauce without cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Monterey chicken pasta, garlic butter spaghetti, skillet chicken spaghetti