This Chicken Pasta is the perfect family dinner recipe! It’s hearty, flavorful, comforting, creamy, and delicious. This hearty dinner is perfect for kids and adults alike. Use it for Sunday dinners, weeknight dinners, meal prep, and leftovers!
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This Homemade Chicken Pasta has a bubbly golden brown cheese crust! The chicken is soft and tender, while the pasta adds texture and substance. This family-friendly dinner is perfect any night of the week. It’s healthier comfort food. Made this Sunday night for Sunday dinner, meal prep for the week, and leftovers. Everyone loves this delicious Grilled Chicken Pasta!
For other hearty pasta recipes, check out this delicious Chicken Cajun Pasta a little kick or something Buffalo Chicken Pasta.this simple Pasta with Peas and Ham Great for kids.
why you will love this recipe
- Chicken spaghetti is a classic comfort food that feels familiar.
- It’s one of those heartwarming childhood favorites that everyone loves.
- This is a versatile recipe. Add or adjust toppings like vegetables, spices, and cheese.
- Use leftovers for this chicken pasta recipe. This is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken or vegetables.
- The combination of cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and melted cheese creates a creamy and cheesy sauce that coats spaghetti and chicken. The result is a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
- This is a perfect hearty family dinner. Everyone will love this cheesy, bubbly chicken casserole.
- Chicken Pasta is quick and easy to make. This makes it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- This is a great choice to make ahead of time.
- When the crowd comes over, pop it in the oven. Sit back and spend quality time with your guests while it warms up in the oven. It’s a real crowd-pleaser.
- This rich and nutritious chicken pasta dish is filling and satisfying. This is the ideal cozy winter dish when it’s cold outside.
- Add different vegetables, seasonings and flavors for endless variations.
- This chicken pasta is a great base for adding other toppings.
- It can easily be made gluten-free with gluten-free noodles.
- check it out Pasta Casserole Another comfort food favorite!
Ingredients and Substitutes
Scroll down to the recipe card to see the full chicken pasta recipe.
Traditional spaghetti or whole wheat spaghetti are used as the base for the dish. Cook the noodles until al dente according to package directions.
Cooked chicken breasts or thighs are great in this recipe.use precooked chicken A convenient option. Turkey is an excellent substitute for chicken in this recipe.
Cream of Mushroom Soup adds a creamy rich flavor. It provides a delicious base for the sauce. Look for a product with fewer ingredients and no added sugar. Substitute another can of cream of chicken soup if desired.
Cream of Chicken Soup also adds a lot of flavor and creaminess!
The sour cream adds a rich, creamy flavor to the sauce. Mixed with a little lemon juice, regular cream is a great substitute. Thinning cream cheese with a little milk works too.
Chicken stock adds moisture and depth of flavor to the dish. This is a great way to keep chicken pasta moist. Good quality broths, homemade or store bought, are great.
Use fresh onions if possible.
Bell peppers are a great way to add texture and enhance the color of dishes.
Slice or chop celery for a subtle crunch and a hint of herbal flavor.
Fresh garlic brings a spicy and savory flavor to the dish. Garlic powder can be substituted.
Add dried herb blends like oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary to infuse dishes with aroma.
Paprika adds depth of flavor and color.
Use shredded cheddar cheese. Other cheeses like Velveeta or mozzarella are also great.
Add fresh parsley for a bright color and herbal goodness.
taste and texture
Chicken Spaghetti is a simple and easy casserole. Tender and creamy, this chicken dish is comforting and warm. It has a little golden topping thanks to the crusty cheese sprinkled on top.
This casserole is bursting with umami flavors from chicken, vegetables, broth, and sparkling cheese. The sour cream adds a little tangy element to the whole dish. The casserole topping is bursting with the fresh, herb-like flavor of parsley.
How to do it
step 1
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9″ x 13″ baking pan and set aside.
step 2
Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
step 3
In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, broth, diced onion, diced bell pepper, diced celery, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. mixed together.
step 4
Add the cooked noodles to the chicken mixture. Add 1 cup cheddar cheese. Stir until well combined.
step 5
Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Spread in an even layer.
step 6
Then, sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese over casserole.
step 7
Bake in the preheated oven, until the casserole is hot and bubbly, 25 to 28 minutes.
Step 8
Finally, take it out of the oven. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired. Serve!
Expert Tips for Success
Cook for the appropriate time. Cooking it too long will result in a dry dish. Baked chicken casserole should be moist and juicy.
Taste dishes before baking. Sauces need to be well seasoned and made with enough salt. Tasting it is a good check point before adding it to the griddle.
Allow dishes to rest before serving and portioning. This will bring the flavors together.
Cook pasta until al dente. It should still have a bit of bite.
Flavor Variations and Additions
Southwestern-style: Add some Tex-Mex flavors with toppings like diced green chiles, black beans, and corn. Use spices like cumin, paprika, and smoked paprika. Finish with a sprinkle of shredded Monterey Jack cheese or pepper jack cheese for an extra kick.
Cajun Flavor: Add sliced Andouille sausage, diced green peppers, celery, and onions to infuse Cajun flavors into chicken pasta. Season with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne.
Mediterranean: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, zucchini, pumpkin, artichoke hearts, and feta cheese. Season with dried oregano, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon for a vibrant and tangy flavor.
Creamy Pesto: Mix a few tablespoons of basil pesto into a creamy base. Topped with Parmesan instead of cheddar.
Lemon: This recipe is jazzed up by adding lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and a handful of chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, or thyme.
Smoked Bacon: Boost flavor by adding crispy, cooked bacon cubes to dishes.
Alfredo-style: Add homemade or store-bought Alfredo sauce instead of cream of mushroom soup. Enhance the flavor with sautéed garlic.
how to eat and store
Chicken pasta pairs perfectly with a light and bright salad. This is a hearty dish, so a refreshing side salad is key.this Fall Salad Guide There are so many ideas for pairing salads with pasta bakes.
It can be kept in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Place it in a freezer safe container or freezer bag and store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 months.
To thaw frozen chicken pasta, place it in the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Reheat as above.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Chicken pasta is usually made with cooked chicken, pasta and a creamy sauce. Other ingredients such as onions, green peppers, and garlic can be added for flavor and texture.
Chicken pasta typically uses pasta, chicken, and a creamy sauce. Chicken Tetrazzini uses wider pasta such as fettuccine or linguine. It has a creamy sauce made from broth, cream, and sometimes white wine. Tetrazzini often also contain ingredients such as mushrooms, peas, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Chicken spaghetti is thought to have originated in the southern regions of the United States.
Yes, chicken goes really well with pasta. Chicken is a versatile protein that pairs well with a variety of pasta dishes. It adds flavor, texture and protein to dishes.
Yes, chicken pasta can be made in the slow cooker. To do this, you typically combine cooked chicken, uncooked spaghetti, sauce ingredients, and any other vegetables or seasonings in a slow cooker.
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Enjoy this chicken pasta recipe!