Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Homerun Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Creamy chicken spaghetti revamps ordinary weeknight meals into something magical, offering comfort and satisfaction in every single bite.

Pasta lovers rejoice as this delightful dish combines tender protein with rich, velvety sauce that hugs each noodle perfectly.

Homemade meals rarely feel this luxurious while remaining surprisingly simple to prepare.

The magic happens when classic ingredients merge into a harmonious culinary experience that speaks directly to your soul.

Textures interplay beautifully between soft, succulent chicken and silky strands of perfectly cooked pasta.

Warm, inviting aromas will fill your kitchen, promising a meal that feels like a warm embrace from someone who knows exactly how to make you smile.

Family and friends will gather around the table, eagerly anticipating this crowd-pleasing creation.

What Makes Creamy Chicken Spaghetti So Satisfying

  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Classic: This chicken spaghetti delivers ultimate hearty satisfaction with its rich, cheesy blend that transforms ordinary pasta into a restaurant-worthy meal everyone will devour.
  • Masterful One-Pan Magic: Simple cooking technique combines sautéing, melting, and baking in minimal steps, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort.
  • Texture Sensation Symphony: Creamy Velveeta sauce coats tender chicken and perfectly cooked spaghetti, creating a luxurious mouthfeel with crispy cheese-topped edges that provide delightful textural contrast.
  • Quick Weeknight Warrior: From skillet to table in under an hour, this recipe offers a speedy solution for families craving a delicious, filling dinner without complicated preparation or extensive cooking time.

Everything That Goes in Chicken Spaghetti

Main Ingredients:

Chicken and Protein:
  • Shredded Chicken: Tender, cooked meat that provides the primary protein for the dish. Rotisserie or home-cooked chicken works best for maximum flavor.
  • Velveeta Cheese: Creamy processed cheese that melts smoothly and creates a rich, velvety sauce. Helps bind ingredients together.
Pasta and Base:
  • Spaghetti: Classic pasta that absorbs the creamy sauce perfectly. Choose standard wheat or alternative pasta based on dietary needs.
Cheese and Dairy:
  • Shredded Cheese: Adds extra melty texture and additional cheese flavor to the top of the casserole. Sharp cheddar or Mexican blend works well.
Vegetables and Aromatics:
  • Bell Peppers: Colorful vegetable that adds sweetness and crunch to the dish. Red or green peppers provide nice visual appeal.
  • Onion: Provides depth of flavor and aromatic base for the casserole. Yellow or white onions are standard choices.
  • Rotel Tomatoes: Spicy canned tomatoes that add moisture and mild heat to the dish.
Liquids and Binding:
  • Cream of Chicken Soup, Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creamy bases that help create a rich, smooth sauce. Provides additional flavor and moisture.
  • Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps bind sauce and pasta together.
Seasonings:
  • Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Essential seasonings that enhance overall flavor profile of the dish.
  • Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and preventing sticking.
Optional Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: Adds color and light herbal freshness.

Simple Instructions for Creamy Chicken Spaghetti

Step 1: Prepare Vegetables

Chop bell peppers and onions. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté vegetables with salt and pepper until soft and slightly translucent.

Step 2: Create Cheese Sauce

Add cubed Velveeta and 2 cans of soup to the skillet. Stir continuously over medium-high heat until cheese melts completely and blends smoothly with soup.

Step 3: Combine Protein and Seasonings

Mix in:
  • Shredded chicken
  • Half of the cheese blend
  • Rotel tomatoes
Season with:
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic powder

Stir ingredients until well combined.

Step 4: Add Pasta

Incorporate cooked al dente spaghetti and a splash of pasta water. Blend thoroughly to ensure even coating.

Step 5: Bake and Finish

Transfer mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake at 375°F for 20-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Step 6: Serve

Let dish cool for a few minutes. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness.

Tricks to Master Chicken Spaghetti

  • Prevent Cheese Clumping: Cube Velveeta into small, uniform pieces and stir constantly while melting to ensure smooth, even distribution.
  • Optimize Pasta Texture: Cook spaghetti just until al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy noodles.
  • Boost Flavor Depth: Use a mix of cheeses like sharp cheddar or pepper jack alongside Velveeta for a more complex taste profile.
  • Control Moisture: Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, adding gradually to prevent the dish from becoming too dry or watery.
  • Enhance Presentation: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set, making it easier to serve and preventing burning your mouth.

How to Store and Warm Leftovers Right

  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store the creamy chicken spaghetti in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the dish sealed tightly to maintain moisture and prevent bacterial growth. When reheating, sprinkle a few tablespoons of milk or chicken broth over the pasta to restore its creamy texture and prevent drying out. Microwave individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent the cheese from burning. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving to ensure food safety.

Side Ideas for Creamy Chicken Spaghetti

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the creamy richness of the chicken spaghetti, balancing the dish's heavy texture with bright, citrusy notes.
  • Match with Zesty Side Salad: Create a light green salad with mixed herbs, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette to provide a fresh contrast to the rich, cheesy pasta, cleansing the palate between bites.
  • Complement with Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up the creamy sauce, adding a crunchy texture and complementary garlic flavor that enhances the overall dining experience.
  • Cool Down with Chilled Cucumber Salad: Prepare a simple cucumber salad with dill and light sour cream to offer a cool, refreshing side that helps balance the warm, hearty main dish.

Chicken Spaghetti Recipes with a Twist

  • Southwest Spice Explosion: Swap Rotel for green chiles, add cumin, chili powder, and cilantro for a zesty Tex-Mex inspired version that brings bold southwestern flavors to the classic dish.
  • Mediterranean Herb Remix: Replace Velveeta with crumbled feta, incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and fresh oregano to transform the recipe into a Mediterranean-style pasta bake with bright, tangy notes.
  • Creamy Mushroom Harmony: Introduce sautéed cremini or shiitake mushrooms, use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken, and sprinkle in dried thyme for an earthy, umami-rich variation that emphasizes deep mushroom undertones.
  • Protein Power Upgrade: Substitute shredded chicken with ground turkey or lean ground beef, add extra protein by mixing in white beans or lentils, creating a heartier and more nutritionally dense pasta casserole.
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Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe


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4.7 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Creamy Chicken Spaghetti combines hearty pasta with tender chicken in a rich, cheesy sauce that comforts and satisfies. Southern kitchens celebrate this classic casserole as a go-to meal that brings families together around one delicious dish.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 1 Rotisserie chicken, shredded

Pasta and Vegetables:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) Spaghetti, cooked al dente & reserve a ladle of pasta water
  • 1 medium Red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium Green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium Onion, chopped

Cheese and Creamy Elements:

  • 6 ounces (170 grams) Velveeta, cubed
  • 1 10.5 ounces (298 grams) can of Cream of Chicken soup
  • 1 10.5 ounces (298 grams) can of Cream of Mushroom soup
  • 1 10 ounces (283 grams) can of Rotel
  • 1.5 cups (170 grams) Cheddar cheese, hand shredded (divided)
  • 1.5 cups (170 grams) Monterey jack cheese, hand shredded (divided)

Seasonings:

  • 2 tablespoons Garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, then sauté diced bell peppers and chopped onions with a pinch of salt and ground black pepper until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 5-6 minutes.
  2. Reduce heat to low and incorporate cubed Velveeta cheese and cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups, continuously stirring until the cheese completely melts and integrates smoothly with the soup mixture.
  3. Fold in shredded cooked chicken, half of the shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheeses, and diced Rotel tomatoes, seasoning the mixture with additional salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder to enhance flavor profile.
  4. Gently introduce cooked al dente spaghetti to the skillet, carefully mixing with a small amount of reserved pasta water to create a cohesive and creamy consistency.
  5. Transfer the entire mixture into a 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 centimeters) baking dish, evenly distributing the remaining cheese blend across the top of the casserole.
  6. Place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20-30 minutes until the cheese becomes golden brown and the edges start bubbling.
  7. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes, optionally garnishing with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.

Notes

  • Meal Prep Magic: Chop bell peppers and onions ahead of time to slash cooking time and reduce kitchen stress.
  • Cheese Melting Hack: Cut Velveeta into small cubes for faster, smoother melting that creates a silky sauce consistency.
  • Pasta Perfect Tip: Cook spaghetti just until al dente to prevent mushy texture when baking the casserole.
  • Flavor Booster: Use reserved pasta water to help sauce coat noodles evenly and add subtle seasoning depth.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble the entire dish in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for easy entertaining.
  • Leftover Love: Stores wonderfully in airtight container for 3-4 days, making delicious next-day lunch or quick weeknight meal.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing, Baking
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 580 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 1200 mg
  • Fat: 35 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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