Name: Chicken Spaghetti
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces thin spaghetti; 2.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts; 2 Tablespoons olive oil; 2 Tablespoons butter; 1 Tablespoon poultry seasoning; 1 yellow onion small, diced; 1 green pepper diced; 2 tsp minced garlic; 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour; 1.5 cups chicken stock; 10 ounces rotel with chiles; 4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature; 1 cup shredded mozzarella; 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar

Cheesy chicken spaghetti makes a comforting weeknight meal and is tasty enough for even the pickiest eaters. This chicken casserole comes together in around 35 minutes!

Lifting chicken spaghetti with serving fork

Why this recipe works

A three-cheese mixture with spaghetti noodles, chicken, and lots of flavorful components go into this chicken spaghetti casserole. It’s an easy mash-up of simple ingredients that you’ll likely have on hand already, plus, it makes an awesome freezer meal as well.

We love a heaping scoop of classic spaghetti and meatballs, but why not switch up the game and try this cheesy chicken spaghetti made with cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and mozzarella.

RELATED: you might also like this recipe – Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

NOODLES – Use thin spaghetti noodles for this casserole. You can certainly try it with any type of noodle you’d prefer.

CHICKEN – This recipe calls for 2 1/2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts, however, it’s also great with leftover rotisserie chicken as well. You can also chop up some boneless skinless chicken thighs if preferred!

CREAM CHEESE – You’ll want the cream cheese at room temperature so that it mixes into the skillet smoothly. Take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you begin. To bring it to room temp, remove it from the packaging, cut it into cubes, and let it rest on a plate.

How to Make Chicken Spaghetti

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Start by cooking your pasta according to box instructions, but draining a bit before al dente. The pasta will continue to cook in the oven and we want it to soak up all the juices. Return the cooked spaghetti to the pot.
While the water is boiling for the pasta, pre-heat the oven to 350F. Dice chicken breasts into 1/2 inch cubes. Add the olive oil and butter to a large 12 inch skillet and melt. Add the diced chicken and seasoning to the skillet. Cook the chicken about 7 minutes until cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside, leaving behind the liquid.
Add the onion and pepper to the skillet and saute for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Dust the skillet with flour and mix to cook out the raw flour until mixture is thickened.
Slowly add 1/2 cup at a time of chicken stock to form the roux, stirring between pours and waiting for the roux to thicken each time. After all the chicken stock has been incorporated, add the can of Rotel and room temperature cream cheese. Mix until cream cheese has fully melted.
In the still warm pasta pot, combine the pasta, chicken, and sauce. Stir well and transfer to a casserole dish.
Top with shredded cheeses and bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted but not browned.
Top with fresh parsley for garnish.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Can I use fresh tomatoes and chile instead of Rotel?

Absolutely! Feel free to switch out the canned stuff with fresh if that’s your preference.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, you can swap out the chicken breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs. Chop it up the same way you would with the chicken breasts. Rotisserie chicken is also a great choice and since it’s already cooked, you can simply add it into the mixture just before going into the oven.

Storage and Freezing Information

Store your leftover chicken spaghetti in an air-tight container or sealed Ziploc bag kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

This dish freezes well. Before you melt the cheeses in the oven, place the prepped and cooled chicken spaghetti into an airtight container (or disposable pan) and freeze for up to 3 months. If you have a freezer to oven safe casserole dish there’s no need to thaw it before cooking. If you do not, you’ll want to allow the container to come to room temp before baking. Bake at 350F until hot and bubbly.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken spaghetti is a hearty, filling meal on its own but pairs perfectly with homemade Italian bread, garlic bread, or a side salad. Top your spaghetti with some fresh chopped parsley and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

This casserole is great during the cooler months when you’re looking for a meal that’ll stick to your bones, but it’s delicious served year-round on top of that. How can you go wrong with pasta?

More Casserole Recipes

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