Chicken Montego
Chicken Montego combines tender chicken breasts with creamy mushroom and pea sauce, served over spaghetti—perfect for a comforting family dinner with rich flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix flour, salt, and pepper; roll chicken breasts in this mixture.
- Brown the coated chicken breasts in shortening; remove from pan.
- Cook spaghetti until al dente.
- Brown the drained button mushrooms in the same skillet used for chicken.
- Add condensed cream of celery soup and marjoram; stir until smooth, then add sour cream.
- Place cooked spaghetti in a shallow casserole dish; add drained peas and half of the soup mixture; mix lightly.
- Arrange the browned chicken breasts on top of the spaghetti and peas, then cover with the remaining soup mixture.
- Cover the casserole and bake until heated through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider substituting Greek yogurt for half of the sour cream. If you don't have marjoram, thyme or oregano can work as a substitute. To save time, you can use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken. Make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to avoid drying out the chicken. This dish can be served with a fresh salad or even paired with Chicken Strips In Garlic Butter for a delightful meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Chicken Montego hot from the oven, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color. It pairs well with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables. For a comforting side, consider serving it alongside Ann'S Chicken Noodle Casserole. This dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but a light dessert, like a fruit salad, would complement it nicely.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for about 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Montego contains roughly 700 calories, with 22g protein, 84g carbohydrates, and 43g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (177% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2377mg per serving (103% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of pasta in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute spaghetti with other types of pasta such as penne or rotini. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time according to the pasta type to achieve the desired al dente texture.
Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole up to the baking stage, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.
What can I use instead of cream of celery soup?
If you don't have cream of celery soup, you can substitute it with cream of mushroom soup or make a homemade version by combining equal parts of heavy cream and vegetable broth thickened with cornstarch. This will maintain the creamy consistency needed for the dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).