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This chicken spaghetti is the perfect family dinner recipe! It is hearty, savory, comforting, creamy, and flavorful. This cozy dinner is great for kids and adults. Make it for Sunday dinners, weeknight meals, meal prep, and leftovers!
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This homemade chicken spaghetti has a bubbly golden-brown cheesy crust! The chicken is soft and tender, while the spaghetti adds texture and substance. This family-friendly dinner is great for any night of the week. It is healthier comfort food. Make this on Sunday nights for Sunday dinner, meal prep for the week, and leftovers. Everyone loves this savory baked spaghetti with chicken!
For other hearty pasta recipes, check out this tasty one chicken Cajun pasta with a little kick or this Buffalo chicken pasta. This simple pasta with peas and ham is great for kids.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Chicken spaghetti is a classic comfort food that feels familiar.
- It is one of those homey childhood favorites that everyone enjoys.
- This is a versatile recipe. Add or adjust ingredients such as vegetables, spices, and cheeses.
- Use leftovers to make this chicken spaghetti recipe. It is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken or veggies.
- The combination of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and melted cheese creates a creamy and cheesy sauce that coats the spaghetti noodles and chicken. The result is a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
- This is the perfect hearty family dinner. Everyone will love this cheesy, bubbly chicken casserole dish.
- Chicken spaghetti is easy and quick to prepare. This makes it great for a busy weeknight dinner.
- This is a great option to make in advance.
- Pop it in the oven when a crowd is coming over. Sit back and enjoy time with guests while it heats up in the oven. It is a real crowd-pleaser.
- This rich and nourishing chicken paSta dish is filling and satisfying. It is the ideal cozy winter dish when it is chilly outside.
- Add different veggies, seasonings, and flavors for endless variations.
- This chicken spaghetti is an excellent foundation to build with additional ingredients.
- It can be easily made gluten-free with gluten-free noodles.
- Check out this Spaghetti Casserole for another comfort food favorite!
Ingredients & Substitutes
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full chicken spaghetti recipe.
Traditional spaghetti noodles or whole wheat spaghetti noodles are used as the base of the dish. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions until al dente.
Cooked chicken breasts or thighs are great in this recipe. Use pre-cooked chicken for a convenient option. Turkey is a great alternative to chicken in this recipe.
Cream of mushroom soup adds a creamy and rich flavor. It provides a savory base for the sauce. Look for one with few ingredients and no added sugar. If needed, replace this with another can of cream of chicken soup.
Cream of chicken soup also adds a ton of flavor and creaminess!
Sour cream adds tanginess and creaminess to the sauce. Mixed with a bit of lemon juice, regular cream is a great substitute. Cream cheese thinned out with a little milk will work, too.
Chicken broth adds moisture and depth of flavor to the dish. It is a good way to keep the chicken spaghetti moist. Homemade or good quality store-bought broth are both great.
Use fresh onion if possible.
Bell pepper is a great way to add texture and enhance the color of the dish.
Slice or chop celery for a subtle crunch and a hint of herbal flavor.
Fresh garlic brings a spicy and savory taste to the dish. Garlic powder can be used as a substitute.
Add a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, to infuse the dish with an aromatic note.
Paprika adds a depth of flavor and color.
Use shredded cheddar cheese. Other cheeses like Velveeta or mozzarella are great, too.
Add fresh parsley for a pop of bright color and herby goodness.
Taste & Texture
Chicken spaghetti is an easy-going casserole. Tender and creamy, this chicken dish has a comforting, warming texture. Thanks to the crusty cheese sprinkled on top, it has a little golden topping.
This casserole boasts all the umami-richness of chicken, veggies, broth, and bubbly cheese. The sour cream adds a little tangy element to the whole dish. The casserole is topped off with a fresh burst of herby flavor from the parsley.
How to Make
Step 1
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan and set aside.
Step 2
Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, broth, diced onion, diced bell pepper, diced celery, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix together.
Step 4
Add the cooked noodles to the chicken mixture. Add in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Stir until well combined.
Step 5
Transfer the mixture to the greased baking pan. Spread into an even layer.
Step 6
Then, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top of the casserole.
Step 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 28 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Step 8
Finally, remove it from the oven. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve!
Expert Tips for Success
Cook it for just the right amount of time. Cooking it too long will result in a dry dish. The baked chicken casserole should be moist and juicy.
Taste before baking the dish. The sauce needs to be beautifully seasoned and made with enough salt. Tasting it before adding it to the baking dish is a great checkpoint.
Let the dish rest before serving and portioning it. This will allow the flavors to mix together.
Cook the pasta until al dente. It should still have a little bite to it.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
Southwest style: Add a Tex-Mex twist by adding ingredients like diced green chilies, black beans, and corn. Use spices like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Top it off with some shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese for an extra kick.
Cajun-inspired: Infuse the chicken spaghetti with Cajun flavors by adding sliced andouille sausage, diced bell peppers, celery, and onions. Season the dish with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat.
Mediterranean: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, zucchini, squash, artichoke hearts, and feta cheese. Season it with dried oregano, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a vibrant and tangy flavor profile.
Creamy pesto: Mix in a few tablespoons of basil pesto sauce into the creamy base. Use parmesan on top instead of cheddar.
Lemony: Brighten this recipe by adding lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and a handful of chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, or thyme.
Smoky bacon: Elevate the flavors by adding crispy cooked bacon bits to the dish.
Alfredo style: Add a homemade or store-bought Alfredo sauce instead of the cream of mushroom soup. Enhance the flavors with sautéed garlic.
How to Serve & Store
Chicken spaghetti goes beautifully with a light, bright salad. It is a rich dish so a refreshing side salad is key. This fall salad guide has a bunch of ideas for salads to serve with this pasta bake.
It will keep for about 4 days in the refrigerator. Place it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bags and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To thaw frozen chicken spaghetti, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Reheat as mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Chicken spaghetti is typically made with cooked chicken, spaghetti noodles, and a creamy sauce. Additional ingredients like onions, bell peppers, and garlic can be added for flavor and texture.
Chicken spaghetti typically uses spaghetti, chicken and a creamy sauce. Chicken Tetrazzini uses wider pasta noodles like fettuccine or linguine. It has a creamy sauce made with a combination of broth, cream, and sometimes white wine. Tetrazzini also often includes ingredients like mushrooms, peas, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Chicken spaghetti is believed to have originated in the Southern region of the United States.
Yes, chicken pairs well with pasta. Chicken is a versatile protein that complements various pasta dishes. It adds flavor, texture, and protein to the dish.
Yes, chicken spaghetti can be made in a slow cooker. To do so, you would typically combine cooked chicken, uncooked spaghetti noodles, sauce ingredients, and any additional vegetables or seasonings in the slow cooker.
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Enjoy this chicken spaghetti recipe!
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