Irresistibly Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Creamy chicken spaghetti blends comfort and flavor in a dish that feels like a warm hug from your favorite cook.

Pasta lovers understand the magic of simple ingredients coming together perfectly.

Cheesy strands wrap around tender chicken pieces, creating a meal that speaks to hungry souls.

Weeknight dinners demand something quick yet satisfying, and this recipe delivers every single time.

Families gather around the table, anticipating each delicious forkful of this classic comfort food.

Seasonal vegetables can add extra nutrition and color to make the plate pop with excitement.

Dive into this recipe and watch magic happen in your kitchen.

Classic Chicken Spaghetti With Comfort Food Flair

• Customize Creatively: Transform this chicken spaghetti into a personalized meal by swapping ingredients like using different proteins or adding your favorite vegetables for a unique twist.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with rich, cheesy flavors and tender chicken, this dish delivers ultimate satisfaction that brings everyone together around the dinner table.
• One-Pot Wonder: Streamline your cooking process with minimal cleanup, as most preparation happens in a single skillet before transferring to the oven, making meal preparation stress-free.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or weekend gatherings, this recipe adapts easily to different serving sizes and can be prepared in advance for convenient entertaining.

Ingredients Included in Chicken Spaghetti Dish

• Spaghetti: The primary pasta base that provides a classic foundation for this hearty dish.
• Shredded Chicken: A protein-rich component that adds substantial texture and flavor to the recipe.
• Bacon: A crispy ingredient that delivers a smoky and savory element to the overall dish.

• Mozzarella Cheese: A melty cheese that creates a creamy and stretchy topping for the casserole.
• Cream Cheese: A smooth ingredient that helps create a rich and velvety sauce texture.
• Milk, Cream: Dairy components that contribute to the sauce's luxurious and creamy consistency.

• Onion, Bell Pepper: Aromatic vegetables that provide a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that enhances the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: A zesty component that adds a slight kick and tangy brightness.
• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Essential spices that balance and elevate the recipe's flavor.
• Chicken Broth: A liquid base that adds depth and richness to the sauce.
• Butter, Flour: Supporting ingredients that help thicken and enrich the sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: An optional garnish that provides a fresh and colorful finishing touch.

How to Make Classic Chicken Spaghetti

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Cook spaghetti in salted water until just shy of fully cooked. Drain and set aside, keeping the pasta slightly firm for perfect texture.

Step 2: Crisp Up the Bacon

Sizzle bacon in a large skillet until golden and crispy. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving behind the flavorful grease.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Diced onions
• Chopped bell peppers

Soften vegetables for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and a pat of butter, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 4: Create Velvety Sauce

Dust vegetables with flour, stirring to coat. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up delicious browned bits from the pan.

• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Milk
• Heavy cream

Stir in cream cheese until completely melted and smooth. Add diced tomatoes with green chilies and a handful of mozzarella cheese.

Step 5: Combine All Ingredients

Fold in shredded chicken and half the crumbled bacon. Mix with cooked spaghetti until everything is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle remaining bacon and additional mozzarella on top.

Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Remove from oven.

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot and incredibly creamy.

Tips That Help Perfect Chicken Spaghetti

• Undercook spaghetti by 2-3 minutes to prevent mushiness during baking, ensuring a perfect al dente texture when the dish is complete.
• Cook bacon until extra crispy for maximum flavor and crunch, reserving some for topping to add textural contrast to the creamy dish.
• Whisk cream cheese slowly and in small pieces to prevent lumps, creating a silky-smooth sauce that coats every ingredient evenly.
• Allow cheese to melt completely by stirring gently and letting residual heat do the work, preventing potential separation or graininess.

Variations to Refresh Classic Chicken Spaghetti

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Spaghetti: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning, add jalapeños, and top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Chicken Spaghetti: Swap bacon for pancetta, use feta cheese, add sun-dried tomatoes, and sprinkle with oregano for a Greek-inspired version.
• Creamy Pesto Chicken Spaghetti: Substitute cream sauce with basil pesto, mix in roasted red peppers, and use parmesan cheese for an herbaceous flavor profile.
• Cajun Seafood Chicken Spaghetti: Replace chicken with shrimp and crab meat, incorporate Cajun seasoning, and add andouille sausage for a Louisiana-style dish.

Pairing Suggestions With Chicken Spaghetti Dish

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, medium-bodied white like Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy, rich sauce and cut through the dish's heaviness.
• Create Appetizer Match: Serve a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty chicken spaghetti and provide a fresh, zesty contrast.
• Design Bread Companion: Offer garlic bread or crusty sourdough to soak up the delicious sauce and add a satisfying crunch to the meal.
• Craft Beer Selection: Choose a wheat beer or blonde ale with subtle hoppy notes that won't overpower the dish's complex flavors and creamy texture.

Proper Storage Tips for Chicken Spaghetti

Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken spaghetti is completely cooled before sealing.

Transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.

Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken spaghetti in an oven-safe dish.

FAQs

• What makes the bacon in this chicken spaghetti recipe special?

The bacon adds a crispy, smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish. It’s cooked first and used both in the sauce and as a topping, providing a delicious crunch and depth of flavor.

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

While spaghetti is traditional, you can substitute with other pasta like penne, rotini, or fettuccine. Just ensure you cook the pasta slightly undercooked to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.

• Is this chicken spaghetti recipe spicy?

The dish has a mild kick from the diced tomatoes with green chilies, but it’s not extremely spicy. If you want more heat, you can add red pepper flakes or use a spicier variety of diced tomatoes.

Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty chicken spaghetti delivers comfort straight from Southern kitchens, blending creamy cheese sauce with tender pasta and juicy chicken. Packed with rich flavors and simple ingredients, this classic dish promises a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 cups chicken, shredded
• 8 ounces (226 grams) bacon, chopped
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1/2 small onion, diced
• 1/2 yellow or orange bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1.25 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Additional Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) thin spaghetti
• 10 ounces (283 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Garnish:

• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Initiate oven preparation at 375F (190C) and cook spaghetti until just shy of complete tenderness. Drain pasta and reserve for later integration.
2. Render bacon in a large skillet until crisp and golden. Extract bacon, preserving the rendered fat as a flavor foundation.
3. Sauté onions and bell peppers in bacon drippings for approximately 5 minutes until vegetables soften. Introduce garlic and butter, allowing them to meld for an additional minute.
4. Dust vegetables with flour, ensuring thorough coating. Allow mixture to toast for 2-3 minutes, developing a nutty essence.
5. Gradually incorporate chicken broth, using a whisk to deglaze the pan and capture caramelized remnants. Infuse with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
6. Stream milk and cream into the liquid base, whisking continuously to achieve a silky consistency. Incorporate cream cheese in small fragments, stirring until completely dissolved.
7. Fold in diced tomatoes with green chilies and initial portion of mozzarella. Ensure complete cheese integration.
8. Combine shredded chicken, half the crumbled bacon, and prepared spaghetti. Toss until evenly distributed.
9. Transfer mixture to a suitable baking vessel. Garnish with remaining bacon and additional mozzarella cheese.
10. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden blanket. Optional: Sprinkle fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

• Always cook spaghetti slightly undercooked to prevent mushy texture when baking, as it’ll continue cooking in the sauce and oven.
• Save the crispy bacon grease for sautéing vegetables, adding an extra layer of rich, smoky flavor to the dish.
• Cut cream cheese into small pieces and whisk thoroughly to ensure smooth, lump-free sauce without clumping.
• Customize heat levels by choosing mild or hot diced tomatoes with green chilies, or add red pepper flakes for extra kick.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 462 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 789 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 94 mg