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
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)
Instructions
- Initiate oven preparation at 375F (190C) and cook spaghetti until just shy of complete tenderness. Drain pasta and reserve for later integration.
- Render bacon in a large skillet until crisp and golden. Extract bacon, preserving the rendered fat as a flavor foundation.
- 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.
- Dust vegetables with flour, ensuring thorough coating. Allow mixture to toast for 2-3 minutes, developing a nutty essence.
- Gradually incorporate chicken broth, using a whisk to deglaze the pan and capture caramelized remnants. Infuse with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- 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.
- Fold in diced tomatoes with green chilies and initial portion of mozzarella. Ensure complete cheese integration.
- Combine shredded chicken, half the crumbled bacon, and prepared spaghetti. Toss until evenly distributed.
- Transfer mixture to a suitable baking vessel. Garnish with remaining bacon and additional mozzarella cheese.
- 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