Five Star Favorite Chicken Spaghetti

By admin On Oct 8, 2024

In this easy chicken spaghetti recipe, shredded cooked chicken and spaghetti are smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce and baked until browned and bubbly.

While the sauce is homemade, I’ve also included a shortcut sauce for busy weeknights!

casserole dish of Homemade Chicken Spaghetti

The sauce is made from scratch, but I’ve also included a shortcut sauce for busy days.
This chicken spaghetti recipe uses simple ingredients that you likely have on hand.
It’s versatile; use any cheese or pasta.
This recipe is freezer-friendly – prep it ahead for busy days!

Ingredients for Chicken Spaghetti

Pasta: I use spaghetti noodles, but you can use other varieties of long pasta. Be sure to cook it al dente (firm) so it doesn’t overcook as the casserole bakes.
Chicken: This recipe uses cooked chicken. Shred rotisserie chicken or use up leftovers if you have them. If needed, baked chicken breasts work well too.
Flavor: Onion, garlic, and bell pepper add flavor, while canned diced tomatoes (or Rotel tomatoes) add a bit of freshness.
Chicken Broth: This is the base of the sauce and adds flavor—if using low-sodium broth or stock, add some extra salt.
Cream: Half and half or light cream makes the sauce creamy without being too rich. Replace 1 cup of half and half with ½ cup each heavy cream and milk.
Cheese: Both cheddar cheese and Parmesan add flavor to the cheese sauce. Pre-shredded cheese works well in this recipe.

Variations

You can replace the cheddar with any cheese you’d like, including Monterey Jack cheese or a shredded mozzarella cheese blend.
Replace the chicken with leftover turkey or ham. If using ham, reduce the salt in the recipe slightly.

ingredients for the sauce for chicken spaghetti in a skilleta

adding cheese to the sauce for chicken spaghetti in a skilleta

How to Make Chicken Spaghetti

Cook pasta: Cook the spaghetti and drain.
Prepare sauce: Prepare the sauce (recipe below).
Assemble: Combine the spaghetti, chicken, diced tomatoes, and sauce in a greased casserole dish.
Bake: Top with more cheese and bake until bubbly.

If you’re short on time, this chicken spaghetti recipe can be made with a shortcut sauce.

Cook the vegetables as directed.
Add 3⁄4 pound Velveeta cheese, 10oz condensed cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup, and drained tomatoes and cook until melted.
Skip the salt and add ½ teaspoon each of onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. You can also add a can of green chiles if you’d like.

plated Chicken Spaghetti with casserole dish in the back full

Serving Suggestions

Salad: I love to serve a fresh salad—either a green salad or Caesar salad with this dish.
Bread: Bread or garlic bread is great to sop up any bits of sauce and help stretch the meal further.

Leftovers and Meal Prep

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Chicken spaghetti freezes very well and can be frozen before baking for up to four months.
To bake from frozen, cover with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese topping from overcooking and bake at 375°F for about an hour, or until it is piping hot throughout!

If preparing ahead of time and freezing, line the baking dish with parchment paper and assemble the casserole.

Once frozen, lift the parchment paper and casserole from the baking dish, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze. To bake, place the frozen block of chicken spaghetti back into the casserole dish.

More Family Favorite Casserole Recipes

Did you make this Chicken Spaghetti? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

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Homemade Chicken Spaghetti

This easy cheesy Chicken Spaghetti recipe combines tender chicken and spaghetti in a quick and delicious cheese sauce.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 6 servings

For the Sauce

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the spaghetti al dente in a large pot salted water according to package directions. Drain well, do not rinse.
Meanwhile, to make the sauce, in a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper can cook until tender. Stir in the flour and Italian seasoning and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Gradually add the broth and cream, a bit at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition. Bring to a boil and let boil 1 minute or until thick and bubbly.
Remove from heat and whisk in the Parmesan cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and salt and pepper.
Combine spaghetti, chicken, cream sauce, and canned tomatoes. Mix well. Spread in a greased 9×13 dish.
Top with remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Don’t overcook the pasta, it will cook more as it bakes.
Pre-shredded cheese does work in this recipe but shredding your own makes for a smoother sauce.
Sharp cheddar adds the best flavor.

Hey, It’s okay to… make a shortcut sauce.

Cook the veggies as directed.

Add 3⁄4 pound Velveeta cheese, 10oz condensed cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup, and drained tomatoes and cook until melted.

Skip the salt and add ½ teaspoon each of onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.

4.99 from 682 votes

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Casserole, Chicken, Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine American, Italian

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