Description
Monterey chicken spinach bake combines creamy cheeses, tender chicken, and fresh spinach in one comforting casserole. Rich flavors meld together, creating a satisfying meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 10 oz (283 g) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 12 oz (340 g) dried spaghetti
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (divided)
- 1 6 oz (170 g) can French’s French Fried Onions (divided)
- 1 16 oz (454 g) container sour cream
- 2 10.5 oz (298 g) cans unsalted cream of chicken soup
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (176C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook spaghetti until al dente, drain thoroughly, and set aside.
- Mixture Creation: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, drained spinach, and minced garlic, mixing until ingredients are uniformly incorporated.
- Cheese Integration: Gently fold in half of the Monterey Jack cheese, creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Pasta Incorporation: Add cooked spaghetti to the chicken mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is completely coated with the rich sauce.
- Baking Assembly: Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly and creating a uniform surface.
- Topping Application: Sprinkle remaining Monterey Jack cheese across the casserole, then evenly distribute French Fried Onions for a crispy, golden crown.
- Baking Process: Bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes, watching until the casserole becomes piping hot and the onion topping achieves a deep, appetizing golden-brown color.
Notes
- Cheese Melting Tip: Use freshly shredded Monterey Jack for smoother, more even melting and superior flavor compared to pre-packaged shredded cheese.
- Moisture Management: Thoroughly drain spinach to prevent excess liquid from making the casserole watery and compromising the creamy texture.
- Chicken Selection: Rotisserie chicken works best for quick preparation and adds extra flavor complexity to the dish.
- Crispy Topping Trick: Add French Fried Onions during the last 10-15 minutes of baking to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 577
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1117 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg