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chicken spaghetti in a large red skillet, being served with a pasta spoon
5 from 24 votes

Creamy Chicken Spaghetti

Creamy and satisfying baked chicken spaghetti casserole will be your new secret weapon for serving a weeknight dinner that everyone will love! No canned soup is needed to make this easy meal.
Author Diana
Servings 6 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces (225g) spaghetti uncooked, broken into thirds (see note 1)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes drained. Use Rotel for a spicy version
  • 2 cups cooked chicken diced or shredded
  • Red Pepper Flakes optional, for garnish
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C and lightly spray a 9x13 casserole dish and set aside. (see note 2)
  • Cook pasta in salted water to al dente according to the package directions. Be careful not to overcook it. Typically this takes 10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta, in case it's needed to thin down the sauce later.
  • While the pasta cooks, make the sauce. In a skillet over medium high heat, heat olive oil and sauté the onion until soft and translucent. Add garlic, and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Sprinkle in the flour, and cook for for 1 minute or until you no longer can smell raw flour, then gradually add the broth as you whisk. Add the cream, allow it to warm up and cook for 2 minutes. Season with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
  • Remove from heat, add in the parmesan cheese and half of the cheddar and mozzarella and let the cheeses melt. Taste the sauce at this point, and add salt if needed. If the sauce seems too thick, add in a small amount of the reserved pasta water. Fold in the cooked chicken, drained tomatoes, and transfer to a casserole dish.
  • Mix in the cooked pasta.
  • Top with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melty and bubbly. If desired, place under the broiler to crisp and brown the top. Watch it carefully so that it doesn't burn.
  • Remove the chicken spaghetti casserole from the oven and garnish with optional red pepper flakes and fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  1. Breaking the pasta is optional, but makes this dish much easier to serve and eat. You may also use any other pasta that you enjoy. 
  2. You can make this a one-pan recipe if your skillet is oven safe. Rather than using a casserole dish, I cook the sauce in a 12-inch enameled cast-iron skillet, mix in the chicken and pasta, and bake the casserole right in the skillet!
  3. Add-Ins: Try adding diced green bell pepper or pimento with the onion and garlic for added flavor. If you want your sauce to be extra thick and creamy, mix in ¼ cup of sour cream or cream cheese.
  4. To Store: Store leftover Chicken Spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the baked casserole for up to three months. The texture of the casserole will change slightly after storing, but a splash of water mixed in will help to make it creamy again. It's still quite good, even if it's not the same as when it's fresh.
  5. Make Ahead Instructions: You can assemble this casserole ahead of time, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you're almost ready to eat, bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, covered with foil. This will get the casserole back to the temperature it would be if you were baking it right after making the sauce. Then bake according to the recipe directions and broil if desired to get a browned top. 

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 743mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 743IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 353mg | Iron: 2mg