Chicken Spaghetti
A a comforting pasta dish that’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this recipe shows you exactly how to make chicken spaghetti with tomato sauce from scratch.
Tender chicken breasts, a rich cheesy sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti noodles come together in one skillet for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
This creamy chicken spaghetti recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand, making it a great recipe for busy evenings. The combination of tomato sauce, cream cheese, chicken broth, and Colby cheese creates a velvety sauce that coats every strand of pasta.
Whether you’re making it for spaghetti night, meal prep, or a quick dinner, this chicken pasta recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy chicken spaghetti recipe made with pantry staples
- Rich and creamy cheesy sauce
- Ready in about 40 minutes
- Perfect comfort food for busy weeknights
- Great way to use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken
- Can be served as a stovetop pasta dish or baked into a chicken spaghetti casserole
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chicken
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
Sauce
- Butter
- Yellow onion
- Garlic cloves
- All-purpose flour
- Chicken broth
- Milk
- Cream cheese
- Colby cheese
- Tomato sauce
Pasta
- Thin spaghetti
- Fresh parsley for garnish
How to Make Chicken Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F if you plan to bake this dish.
Slice the chicken breasts lengthwise into thinner cutlets. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until the thickest part reaches 165°F.
Transfer the juicy chicken to a cutting board and allow it to rest before cutting it into smaller pieces.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Tomato Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium-low and melt the butter in the same skillet.
Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute.
Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir continuously for 2 minutes.
Gradually whisk in the chicken broth followed by the milk. Continue stirring until smooth.
Add the softened cream cheese and stir over low heat until fully melted.
Mix in the shredded Colby cheese and continue stirring until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
Finally, stir in the tomato sauce to create a rich red sauce with a creamy texture.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Cook pasta according to the package directions until pasta al dente. Drain well and reserve a small amount of pasta water if needed.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
Add the cooked spaghetti and tender chicken to the sauce.
Toss pasta until every strand is coated in the creamy tomato sauce.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Optional Baked Chicken Spaghetti Version
If you’d like to turn this stovetop meal into a baked chicken spaghetti casserole, simply transfer the finished pasta mixture to a greased casserole dish or baking dish.
Top with:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Additional Colby cheese if desired
- Fresh parsley
Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
For extra cheese lovers, add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
Use Rotisserie Chicken
Short on time? Rotisserie chicken is a great substitute for fresh chicken. Simply shred about 3 cups and stir it into the sauce before adding the cooked spaghetti.
Add Vegetables
For extra flavor and a pop of color, try adding:
- Bell pepper
- Baby spinach
- Fresh tomatoes
- Cherry tomatoes
- Grape tomatoes
- Green chiles
- Rotel tomatoes
Make It Spicier
Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, or a few dashes of hot sauce for a little heat.
Richer Tomato Flavor
For a deeper tomato flavor, stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste along with the tomato sauce.
Fresh basil added at the end also brings wonderful flavor during tomato season.
What to Serve with Chicken Spaghetti
This creamy pasta dish pairs well with:
- Garlic bread
- Crusty bread
- Simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
It’s the perfect comfort food meal for family dinners or even a casual date night at home.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover chicken spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Individual servings can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of chicken broth or milk if the sauce thickens during storage.
Recipe Tips for Best Results
- Cook the chicken until just done to keep it tender and juicy.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest cheesy sauce.
- Cook the spaghetti noodles al dente so they don’t become mushy.
- Allow cream cheese to soften before adding it to the skillet.
- Keep the sauce over low heat when adding cheese to prevent separation.
Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients
Method
- Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thinner cutlets.
- Pat dry and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, until cooked through.
- Remove from the skillet and let rest. Dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Melt the butter in the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Add the diced onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to coat. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring continuously until smooth.
- Slowly add the milk, whisking until fully combined.
- Add the softened cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded Colby cheese until melted.
- Stir in the tomato sauce.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the thin spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta.
- Add the cooked chicken and spaghetti to the sauce.
- Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F
- Top with mozzarella cheese and bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Brown the top – broil for 2 minutes and watch closely at 425 degrees F
If you’re wondering how to make chicken spaghetti with tomato sauce, this easy recipe is a delicious place to start. The creamy sauce, tender chicken breasts, and perfectly cooked spaghetti create a satisfying meal that’s both simple and comforting. Whether you serve it straight from the skillet or turn it into a baked chicken spaghetti casserole, it’s a family favorite you’ll want to make again and again.
