Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti

If there’s one dinner that perfectly captures the meaning of comfort food, it’s Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti. Warm, cheesy, rich, and bubbling straight from the oven, this dish combines tender seasoned chicken, delicate strands of thin spaghetti, and a luxurious homemade three-cheese sauce into one irresistibly satisfying casserole. It’s the kind of recipe that fills your kitchen with the most inviting aroma and brings everyone to the table without needing to call them twice.

Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight meal, planning Sunday dinner with family, preparing a dish for a potluck, or simply craving something cozy and hearty, Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti checks every box. It’s simple enough for beginners, yet flavorful enough to impress guests. Even picky eaters tend to go back for seconds.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about making the best ever Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti at home — from ingredients and step-by-step instructions to helpful tips, variations, storage ideas, and expert tricks that guarantee perfectly creamy results every time.

Let’s dive in.

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Why You’ll Love Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti

There are countless pasta casseroles out there, but Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti stands out for so many reasons.

First, the texture is unbeatable. The spaghetti stays tender while absorbing the velvety sauce. The chicken remains juicy and flavorful. And the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden topping that’s slightly crisp on the edges.

Second, the flavor profile is rich but balanced. You get:

• Savory seasoned chicken

• Creamy, buttery cheese sauce

• Mild sharpness from cheddar

• Smooth richness from cream cheese

• A subtle kick from Rotel tomatoes and green chilies

• Garlic and onion depth

Every bite is creamy, cheesy, slightly zesty, and completely comforting.

Third, it’s incredibly practical. This recipe is:

• Great for meal prep

• Easy to double

• Perfect for leftovers

• Freezer-friendly

• Kid-approved

• Budget-friendly

Once you make Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti, it quickly becomes one of those dependable “go-to” dinners you’ll keep coming back to.

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What Makes Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti So Special?

Many baked spaghetti recipes rely on canned soups or shortcuts. While those versions can work in a pinch, they often lack depth of flavor and can taste overly processed or salty.

This Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti recipe uses a homemade cheese sauce instead — and that makes all the difference.

Instead of condensed soup, we create a roux with butter and flour, then whisk in chicken broth and milk to form a smooth, rich base. Melted cream cheese adds luxurious body, and freshly shredded cheddar brings bold cheesy flavor. The result is silky, flavorful, and far superior to anything from a can.

Add in the seared chicken and zesty tomatoes, and you’ve got layers of flavor that taste homemade and comforting in the best possible way.

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Time & Servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6

Perfect for a family dinner with leftovers to spare.

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Ingredients for Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti

Here’s everything you’ll need to create this creamy, cheesy masterpiece:

• 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 1 small yellow onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 tablespoons flour

• 1½ cups chicken broth

• ¾ cup milk

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

• 10 ounces diced tomatoes & green chilies (Rotel style)

• ½ pound thin spaghetti

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

• Red pepper flakes and chopped parsley for garnish

Each ingredient plays an important role in making the perfect Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti, so try not to skip or substitute unless necessary.

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Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise for faster, more even cooking. Season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 5–6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked.

Remove from the pan, let rest briefly, then dice into bite-sized pieces.

Shortcut tip: Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully here if you’re short on time.

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2. Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce

Lower the heat to medium-low and melt butter in the same skillet. Scrape up the browned bits from the chicken — that’s flavor gold.

Add diced onion and cook until soft and fragrant. Stir in garlic and cook briefly.

Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir continuously for two minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.

Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then milk, until smooth. Let the sauce thicken.

Add softened cream cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Let the sauce cool slightly before adding cheddar cheese to prevent graininess.

Stir in drained tomatoes and diced chicken.

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3. Cook the Pasta

Boil thin spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.

Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the sauce and stir until evenly coated.

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4. Bake

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

Bake uncovered for 15 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Broil for 1–2 minutes to achieve that irresistible golden top.

Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes. Serve warm and enjoy your Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti.

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Expert Tips for Perfect Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti

A few small techniques can elevate your dish from good to unforgettable.

Always shred cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.

Don’t add cheddar while the sauce is boiling hot. High heat can cause separation or graininess.

Cook pasta just until al dente. It will continue cooking in the oven.

Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after baking. This helps the sauce set and makes serving easier.

If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of broth or reserved pasta water.

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Delicious Variations

One of the best things about Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti is how customizable it is.

Try adding sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli for extra veggies. Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or Colby. Add bacon bits for smoky flavor. Use pepper jack if you like spice.

You can even turn it into a Tex-Mex version by adding taco seasoning and extra chilies.

The base recipe is incredibly versatile, so feel free to experiment.

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Make Ahead and Storage

This dish is perfect for prepping in advance.

Assemble the casserole fully, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3 days and reheat beautifully.

For freezing, wrap tightly and store up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake until heated through.

Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti is truly one of the best freezer meals you can have ready to go.

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Serving Ideas

Pair your Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti with simple sides to balance the richness.

Garlic bread or crusty bread is perfect for soaking up sauce.

A crisp green salad adds freshness and contrast.

Roasted vegetables or steamed broccoli work beautifully too.

Keep it simple — the pasta is already the star.

Print

Nutrition (Approx. Per Serving)

Calories: 547 kcal
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Protein: 25 g
Fat: 32 g
Saturated Fat: 16 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 641 mg

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Why This Recipe Belongs in Your Weekly Rotation

There’s something timeless about baked pasta dishes. They’re nostalgic, filling, and deeply comforting. But Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti takes that comfort to another level with its velvety sauce and perfectly seasoned chicken.

It’s the type of meal that makes people ask for the recipe. The type that disappears fast at gatherings. The type that your family will request again and again.

And because it’s easy, affordable, and freezer-friendly, it just makes sense to keep it in your regular rotation.

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Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, Creamy Baked Chicken Spaghetti is more than just another casserole — it’s a warm, satisfying, crowd-pleasing comfort meal that brings people together around the table.

It combines everything we love about home cooking: simple ingredients, rich flavors, cheesy goodness, and the kind of hearty satisfaction that only baked pasta can deliver. Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or serving guests at a gathering, this recipe guarantees smiles and clean plates.

Once you try this homemade version with its silky cheese sauce and perfectly baked topping, you’ll never go back to canned soup shortcuts again. It’s creamy, cozy, and completely irresistible.