Irresistible Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Tucked away in my recipe collection, this cheesy chicken spaghetti surprises everyone who tastes it.

Memories of comfort rush back with each creamy bite.

Southern kitchens often hold magical recipe secrets that warm hearts instantly.

A simple blend of tender chicken, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta creates something extraordinary.

Weekend dinner challenges meet their match in this crowd-pleasing dish.

Texture and flavor dance together in unexpected harmony.

Warmth radiates from this delightful meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Gather around the table and savor every delicious forkful.

Why You’ll Keep Making Chicken Spaghetti

• Perfect weeknight dinner that brings everyone together around the table with minimal prep work.
• Delivers rich, cheesy flavors with creamy sauce and tender chicken that satisfies serious comfort food cravings.
• One-skillet preparation followed by simple baking makes this recipe incredibly easy for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Easily adaptable for different protein options, can be prepared ahead of time, and works great as leftovers for busy families.

What’s Inside Chicken Spaghetti

• Spaghetti: Classic pasta that forms the hearty foundation of the dish, providing texture and carbohydrate base.

• Chicken: Tender protein that adds substance and flavor, best used shredded or chopped.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty cheese that creates rich, creamy texture and golden topping.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy richness and helps create smooth, creamy sauce.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Provides creamy base and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the casserole.

• Onion: Provides aromatic base and sweet underlying flavor.
• Green Bell Pepper: Offers fresh, slightly crisp texture and mild vegetable taste.
• Garlic: Brings intense, robust flavor to the entire dish.

• Garlic Powder: Concentrated garlic flavor for additional depth.
• Onion Powder: Enhances overall savory notes.
• Salt: Essential for balancing and amplifying other flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and traditional seasoning.
• Cayenne Pepper: Optional ingredient for those wanting extra spicy kick.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps sauté vegetables smoothly.

• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Adds moisture, slight acidity, and subtle spice to the dish.

Cooking Chicken Spaghetti from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Base

Cook spaghetti in salted water until perfectly tender. Drain and set aside, ready for the magical transformation.

Step 2: Sizzle Vegetable Foundation

• Onions (diced)
• Green bell peppers
• Garlic (minced)

Cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables become wonderfully soft and fragrant.

Step 3: Craft Creamy Cheese Blend

• Cream of chicken soup
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Chicken broth
• Sour cream
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper (optional)

Blend until the sauce becomes smooth and cheesy.

Step 4: Merge Chicken and Pasta

Fold in shredded chicken and cooked spaghetti, ensuring every strand gets coated with the luscious sauce.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle additional cheese on top for a golden, melty crown.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 7: Serve and Devour

Allow the casserole to rest briefly, then serve this comforting dish that promises to make taste buds dance with joy.

Tips for Chicken Spaghetti

• Boost Pasta Perfection: Use slightly undercooked pasta so it doesn't become mushy during baking.
• Customize Cheese Blend: Mix different cheese varieties like monterey jack or pepper jack for extra flavor complexity.
• Protein Power Switch: Replace chicken with rotisserie chicken, turkey, or canned tuna for quick meal variations.
• Temperature Control: Cover with foil during last 10 minutes of baking to prevent cheese from over-browning.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Assemble casserole a day before, refrigerate, and bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

Best Storage & Reheat Tips for This Dish

• Store leftover cheesy chicken spaghetti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent dryness. Cover and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Transfer leftovers to an oven-safe dish. Sprinkle extra cheese on top. Cover with foil and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best texture and flavor.

Sides That Go with Chicken Spaghetti

• Complement the creamy, cheesy flavors with a light white wine that cuts through the richness and balances the dish's bold spices.
• Toss mixed greens with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette to provide a light, refreshing contrast to the hearty casserole.
• Bake crispy bread with garlic butter and parmesan to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy texture to the meal.
• Add a side of quick-pickled carrots, radishes, and peppers to introduce a bright, acidic element that helps cleanse the palate between bites.

New Takes on Chicken Spaghetti

• Gluten-Free Comfort: Replace regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free cream of chicken soup to create a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu, jackfruit, or white beans for a plant-based alternative that maintains the creamy texture.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Base: Use spiralized zucchini noodles instead of spaghetti to reduce carbohydrates and add extra vegetables to the dish.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use dairy-free cheese alternatives, coconut milk cream, and nutritional yeast to create a lactose-free version that still provides rich, cheesy flavor.

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets culinary creativity in this irresistible cheesy chicken spaghetti recipe that promises a flavor-packed journey through creamy, cheesy goodness. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this dish a perfect weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins and Poultry:

• 2 cups (250g) cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)

Pasta and Staples:

• 12 ounces (340g) spaghetti
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Rotel), undrained
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook spaghetti until tender but firm, ensuring pasta maintains a slight resistance when bitten. Carefully drain and set pasta aside.
2. Heat a spacious skillet over medium temperature, allowing butter to melt and become fragrant. Introduce diced onions, chopped green bell peppers, and finely minced garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
3. Incorporate cream of chicken soup, fire-roasted diced tomatoes with green chilies, a generous portion of sharp cheddar cheese, rich chicken broth, tangy sour cream, and a blend of aromatic spices including garlic powder, onion powder, salt, cracked black pepper, and a whisper of cayenne for subtle heat. Stir continuously until cheese melts into a luxurious, smooth sauce.
4. Fold tender, shredded chicken and prepared spaghetti into the creamy mixture, ensuring each strand is generously coated with the flavorful sauce.
5. Transfer the decadent mixture into a well-greased rectangular baking dish, creating an even layer. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese across the top, creating a tempting golden blanket.
6. Slide the baking dish into a preheated oven at 350°F, allowing the casserole to bake until cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown crust and edges become slightly crispy.
7. Remove from oven and allow the dish to rest for several minutes, permitting flavors to settle and sauce to slightly thicken before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

• Test pasta doneness by tasting a strand to ensure it’s perfectly al dente before draining, preventing mushy texture in the final dish.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper or choosing mild versus spicy diced tomatoes with green chilies.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and cream of chicken soup, maintaining flavor while being heart-healthy.
• Make the dish gluten-free by substituting regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta and checking that soup and broth are gluten-free certified.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 830mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 85mg