Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
This Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe is the ultimate creamy, cheesy comfort food that wins everyone over at first taste! Each bite swirls together tender shredded rotisserie chicken, pasta, spicy salsa, and a blanket of melted Mexican cheese, making it totally irresistible for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Whether you’re feeding friends or freezing leftovers for a cozy meal later, this is a hearty, crowd-pleasing favorite you’ll want to keep on repeat in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe has a starring role, bringing just the right flavor, balance, and heartiness to the dish. There’s nothing fancy required—just wholesome, fridge and pantry staples, working together for the absolute perfect bake.
- Angel Hair Pasta (8 oz): Angel hair’s delicate texture lets the creamy sauce cling to every strand, delivering flavor in every bite.
- Rotisserie Chicken, diced (2 cups): Using juicy store-bought rotisserie chicken saves time and adds deliciously tender protein.
- Cream of Chicken Soup (2 cans, 10.5 oz each): This shortcut brings a wonderfully creamy base, plus salty richness to the whole casserole.
- Chunky Salsa (1 cup): Brightens things up with a pop of tomato, onion, and mild spices for depth and a touch of freshness.
- Sour Cream (½ cup): Adds cool tang and silkiness, softening the heat from the salsa and blending everything beautifully.
- Mexican Cheese Blend (2 cups, divided): A melty, flavorful combo of cheeses ensures gooey, golden perfection both mixed in and on top.
- Taco Seasoning (1 tbsp): A little bit goes a long way to infuse warm, savory spices that evoke classic fiesta flavors.
- Parsley Flakes (½ tbsp): Delivers a touch of herby color and a light, fresh note in the creamy sauce.
- Dried Oregano (1 tsp): Offers an earthy, aromatic element that pairs so well with tomatoes and chicken.
- Red Pepper Flakes (½ tsp): Sneaks in a gentle heat, balancing all that cheesiness without overpowering.
- Paprika (½ tsp): Brings smoky sweetness and a hint of color for an extra appetizing look.
How to Make Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Get started by spraying a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This not only makes for easy cleanup later, but also ensures your creamy spaghetti will lift out in perfect, cheesy layers. Preheat your oven to 350 F so everything’s ready for that golden, bubbling finish!
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the angel hair pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Careful not to overcook—the pasta will soak up sauce in the oven and finish cooking to just the right texture. Drain well and return the noodles to the pot for mixing.
Step 3: Mix Up the Creamy Filling
Add the cream of chicken soups, chunky salsa, sour cream, diced rotisserie chicken, 1 cup of the Mexican cheese blend, parsley flakes, oregano, taco seasoning, red pepper flakes, and paprika to your pot of cooked pasta. Give it all a gentle but thorough mix (hands work great here if you want to keep the delicate angel hair from breaking), distributing the flavorful sauce and tender chicken throughout the noodles.
Step 4: Layer in the Baking Dish
Transfer the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly from edge to edge. This ensures every scoop comes out with the perfect blend of sauce, cheese, chicken, and pasta.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Bake
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top. Cover the dish with foil—loosely, so the cheese doesn’t stick. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until everything’s piping hot and the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly. Wait just a couple of minutes out of the oven before serving, so the casserole sets up for the ultimate cheesy pull!
How to Serve Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Garnishes
A little finishing flair makes your Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe look and taste even better! Add a handful of freshly chopped parsley or cilantro and a sprinkle of extra red pepper flakes for color and a touch of heat. If you love zing, squeeze over a wedge of lime before digging in, or add sliced green onions for a pop of freshness.
Side Dishes
This creamy chicken spaghetti is the star of the table, but a couple of easy sides take your meal to the next level. Try serving with a crisp green salad tossed in vinaigrette to brighten things up, or some garlicky roasted broccoli for extra veggies. Warm, crusty bread is perfect for soaking up that luscious sauce, too.
Creative Ways to Present
To wow your dinner crowd, bake and serve individual portions in small ramekins, or use a deep cast iron skillet for rustic appeal. For parties, top the finished bake with crushed tortilla chips or a dusting of smoked paprika before serving for a bit of crunch and smoky aroma. Don’t forget to bring it straight to the table in the bubbling casserole—everyone loves the homestyle, cheesy drama!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe holds up beautifully for a few days! Let it cool completely, then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get even better as they meld, making lunch or a speedy dinner later in the week something to really look forward to.
Freezing
To freeze, allow the casserole to cool, then slice into portions or freeze whole. Wrap it well in foil and plastic wrap or store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, so it’s ready whenever the craving strikes. This makes it a superstar for meal planning!
Reheating
For single portions, microwave in a covered bowl until hot, stirring halfway through for even heating. If you’re warming the whole dish, bake in a covered casserole at 350 F until bubbling again (about 20–25 minutes). Add a fresh sprinkle of cheese or a splash of milk if the pasta looks a little dry—it’ll come back to creamy, cheesy life in no time.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While angel hair delivers a lovely, soft texture, spaghetti, linguine, or even penne can step in with great results. Just aim for a pasta that can hold the sauce well and cook it until just al dente, since it’ll continue baking in the oven.
Is there a lighter version of this Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe?
You can make a slimmed-down version by using light cream of chicken soup, reduced-fat cheese, and nonfat sour cream. Swap in whole-wheat or chickpea pasta for extra fiber. The creamy, comforting essence is still there, just a touch lighter on the calories!
How spicy is this chicken spaghetti?
This dish has a gentle kick from salsa and red pepper flakes, but it isn’t overly spicy. You can tailor the heat by choosing a mild salsa, omitting the red pepper, or even amping it up with jalapeño slices if you love more fire.
Can I assemble in advance?
Yes! You can mix and assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, covered, until you’re ready to bake. Add a couple of extra minutes bake time if it’s going in cold. Freezing before baking also works for a make-ahead meal anytime.
What’s the best way to shred chicken for this recipe?
Rotisserie chicken can be diced or shredded with forks, fingers, or even a hand mixer for super-speedy prep. The key is to keep the pieces bite-sized so every forkful of the Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe has plenty of tender chicken throughout.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dish that combines comfort, convenience, and a hit of bold flavor, you truly can’t go wrong with the Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe. With every creamy-baked forkful, it’s sure to become a cherished addition to your own recipe box. Gather friends or family and dig in—you’ll be looking for excuses to make this one again and again!
Print
Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Indulge in this comforting and flavorful Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe that combines tender rotisserie chicken, creamy sauces, and a blend of Mexican cheeses for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Spaghetti:
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, diced
- 2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chunky salsa
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- ½ tbsp parsley flakes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp paprika
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, divided
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook Pasta: Cook angel hair pasta until al dente, then drain and return to the pot.
- Combine Ingredients: In the pot with pasta, add cream of chicken soups, salsa, sour cream, diced chicken, 1 cup of Mexican cheese blend, parsley flakes, oregano, taco seasoning, red pepper flakes, and paprika. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer and Bake: Transfer the mixture to the baking dish, top with the remaining cup of cheese, cover with foil, and bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Chicken Spaghetti, Pasta Recipe, Comfort Food, Mexican Cheese, Rotisserie Chicken
