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Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 119 reviews

This comforting Chicken Spaghetti recipe features tender chicken breast pieces cooked in a creamy, cheesy sauce with diced tomatoes and green chilies, all tossed with thin spaghetti and baked to perfection with melted mozzarella on top. It’s a flavorful, hearty meal perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 10 oz. diced tomatoes & green chilies (drained and juice reserved)

Pasta & Cheese Topping

  • ½ lb. thin spaghetti
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Garnish

  • Red pepper flakes
  • Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the assembled spaghetti dish.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces. Pat them dry, then season lightly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until cooked through. Remove from heat and dice into bite-sized pieces once cool enough to handle.
  3. Prepare the Sauce Base: Lower heat to medium-low and melt the butter in the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits (fond) left from the chicken. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes, then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  4. Make the Roux: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the cooked onions and garlic. Stir and cook for about 2 minutes until the raw flour smell disappears, ensuring a smooth roux base.
  5. Add Liquids: Slowly add the chicken broth in small splashes, stirring continuously to keep the sauce smooth and prevent lumps. Then gradually add the milk, whisking it all together until combined and creamy.
  6. Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers and thickens, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the thin spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  7. Finish the Sauce: Add the softened cream cheese to the sauce, stirring continuously until it melts fully and becomes smooth. Reduce heat to low, then mix in the shredded cheddar cheese until evenly blended into the sauce.
  8. Add Tomatoes and Chicken: If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a bit of the reserved tomato juice. Otherwise, drain the juice and stir the diced tomatoes and cooked chicken pieces into the sauce, combining everything thoroughly.
  9. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Stir the cooked spaghetti into the sauce, making sure the pasta is evenly coated. If your cooking pot isn’t oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9×13 casserole dish.
  10. Bake with Mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the pasta. Place the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes until bubbly and heated through.
  11. Broil for Browning: For a golden, slightly crispy cheese topping, broil the dish at 475°F for 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  12. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with red pepper flakes and fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately, ideally with a side of garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.

Notes

  • You can use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts from scratch for convenience.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened before adding to the sauce to avoid lumps and ease melting.
  • Thin spaghetti works best as it blends well with the creamy sauce; however, feel free to use other pasta types like linguine or angel hair.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for more or less spice.
  • This recipe can be prepared ahead up to the baking step; just refrigerate and bake when ready to serve.
  • Using an oven-safe skillet simplifies the process since you can cook the sauce and bake in the same dish.

Keywords: chicken spaghetti, creamy chicken pasta, baked spaghetti casserole, cheesy chicken pasta, comfort food

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/creamy-chicken-spaghetti-bake-recipe/