This easy Chicken Spaghetti is one of our go to dinners when we need something creamy, filling, and simple for busy nights. It is creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender chicken and spaghetti, plus a little salsa and taco seasoning to give it a fun twist that makes it feel different from the usual dinner rotation.
What makes this recipe so special is how simple it is to throw together with pantry staples, and it is perfect for feeding a family. Everything mixes in one bowl, bakes in a 9×13, and comes out bubbly and melty, exactly what you want on a busy night.or it.
If you love delicious dishes like this, you should also try Taco Casserole, Chicken Enchiladas, and Chicken Tetrazzini.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Weeknight easy. Simple ingredients and quick prep make this perfect for busy evenings.
- Creamy and cheesy. A rich sauce and melty cheese make every bite comforting and filling.
- Feeds a crowd. Great for family dinners, leftovers, or sharing with friends.
- Make ahead friendly. Like most bakes, this recipe can be prepped ahead of time, which is just one more reason why we love it!
Chicken Spaghetti Ingredients
- Spaghetti noodles (1 sixteen ounce box): Creates the hearty base that holds the creamy sauce and chicken.
- Cooked chicken diced (2 cups): Adds protein and makes the dish filling. Rotisserie chicken works great for convenience.
- Cream of chicken soup undiluted (2 ten ounce cans): Forms the creamy base of the sauce and adds savory flavor.
- Salsa (1 cup): Brings flavor and a slight kick that keeps the dish from feeling too heavy. Use mild or medium depending on preference.
- Sour cream (1 cup): Adds tang and smooth creaminess to balance the flavors.
- Mexican cheese blend divided (2 cups): Melts into the dish and on top for a cheesy finish. A blend adds extra flavor. Mexican cheese blend contains Monterey Jack, sharp cheddar cheese, Queso, and Asadero cheeses. You can also add Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, or Pepper Jack cheese, or a mix.
- Taco seasoning (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle seasoning boost with a hint of spice.
- Chopped cilantro: Adds fresh flavor and color as a garnish. Optional but recommended.
How to Make Chicken Spaghetti
PASTA. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
MIX. Combine cooked pasta, diced chicken, cream of chicken soup, Salsa, sour cream, taco seasoning, and 1½ cups cheese. Stir to combine.
BAKE. Pour into a 9×13 sprayed casserole dish. Top with ½ cup cheese and chopped cilantro. Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 25 minutes, or until cheese begins to bubble.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Use rotisserie chicken or frozen oven baked chicken to save time and add extra flavor.
- Add diced green chilies for a little extra flavor without too much heat.
- Stick to additions that have complementary flavors. Add some spice with sliced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, and green chilies. Add veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, and diced tomatoes.
- Crockpot directions. Combine uncooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, salsa, sour cream, 1 cup of cheese, and taco seasoning in the crockpot. Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on high until the chicken is cooked through. Cook your spaghetti noodles al dente. Pour in the cooked spaghetti noodles and the remaining cheese. Toss everything together in the crockpot to mix and melt cheese. Cook for another 20-30 min on low and serve.
Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) box spaghetti noodles
- 2 cups cooked chicken diced
- 2 (10 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup undiluted
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend divided
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
- Mix together cooked pasta, diced chicken, cream of chicken soup, salsa, sour cream, taco seasoning, and 1½ cups of your cheese. Stir to combine.
- Pour into a 9×13 sprayed baking dish.
- Top with ½ cup cheese and chopped cilantro.
- Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 25 minutes, until cheese begins to bubble.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken or frozen oven baked chicken to save time and add extra flavor.
- Do not overcook the pasta since it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Add diced green chilies for a little extra flavor without too much heat.
- Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving so it sets up nicely.
- This dish can be assembled ahead and stored in the fridge until ready to bake for an easy dinner.
- Stick to additions that have complementary flavors. Add some spice with sliced jalapenos, red pepper flakes, and green chilies. Add veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, and diced tomatoes.
- I used a delicious Mexican cheese blend, which contains Monterey Jack, sharp cheddar cheese, queso, and Asadero cheeses. You can also add Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, or Pepper Jack cheese, or a mix.
- Crockpot directions. Combine uncooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, salsa, sour cream, 1 cup of cheese, and taco seasoning in the crockpot. Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on high until the chicken is cooked through. Cook your spaghetti noodles al dente. Pour in the cooked spaghetti noodles and the remaining cheese. Toss everything together in the crockpot to mix and melt cheese. Cook for another 20-30 min on low and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
To make it ahead without freezing, assemble it, cover it, and keep it in the fridge for up to two days until you’re ready to bake.
Keep leftover chicken spaghetti in the fridge for 2-3 days. Be sure to place leftovers in an air-tight container and reheat it in the microwave.
Prepare the chicken spaghetti casserole, and pour it into a freezer-safe baking container. Top with the cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze for up to 6 months.
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Adapted from The Country Cook.
This recipe was first shared March, 2018.
I wasn鈥檛 expecting much, but this turned out great…. Great mix of information and simplicity. 馃檪
I am really glad you found it helpful and easy to follow. 😊
try it with bacon bits topped.
I am making this for a school project i was just wondering how many people this feeds up to.
How would you cook after frozen? I have this recipe in my freezer and would like to prepare it tomorrow night.
I would put it in the fridge and let it thaw overnight. Then you can follow the instructions for baking.
I love this spaghetti variation. It’s perfect for kids!
This recipe is so creamy and delicious – definitely going to add to my regular rotation!
Such a yummy alternative to traditional spaghetti! We love that it is creamy and a little spicy!
I love this Mexican twist on an Italian classic!
Yay!! So glad you enjoy the recipe!
Definitely one of the best recipes I have ever made. I’ve made this four times just for myself.
This recipe was excellent. I couldn’t stop eating it My husband and I thought it was great. I’m going to keep in my recipe box of favorites.
This was awesome! I made homemade cream of chicken soup, added some onion and a can of green chiles. Happy there are leftovers!
Yum!! Bet it was super with the homemade cream of chicken. Thanks for sharing!
This is a family favorite! I always make it in the crockpot and it comes out perfectly every time.
Can you make this the day before and cook the next day?
Absolutely! It should last in the fridge for about 2 days before needing to cook it.
I wasn’t too sure about this at first. My 6 year old chose this out of the list so I made it. I tweaked the recipe slightly to my liking as I do with all recipes. I added diced yellow onion and diced jalapeños to the mix and an extra can of cream of chicken. This came out so good. Will definitely be added to list of regular meals
This is absolutely delicious. Try it , you won’t have leftovers .
This is one of our favorites!! We have done it in the Instant Pot as well! So good!
So good. Comfort food.
Love this
Love this
Pure comfort food! Great to bring to double and share with someone.
Yummy
Wow! I have to be honest, I wasn’t expecting anything spectacular cause I thought the ingredient combination sounded a bit weird, but boy was I wrong! This is seriously delicious, and going to be a new staple recipe for us! I did the crockpot version cause I was using raw chicken breast, so easy and so tasty!
My family loves this dinner! One of the most requested at our home!
Our whole family devours this meal every time (but we usually omit the cilantro). So so delicious.
Ww LOVE this recipe! We eat it several times a week! Lol 😄
That makes me so happy!! I am so glad you do 🙂 Thank you!
Would love to make this as a freezer meal, does it freeze well?
Yes 🙂 Enjoy!!
Looks amazing!! My Husband has yeast and soy allergies. What do you think I can substitute for the cream of chicken soup?
Thank you! Honestly, I am not quite sure. I haven’t tried substituting the soup before. I would see what google suggests, that way you can check the ingredients 🙂
How many servings are in the total dish, for nutrition info purposes?
How many cup(s) would one serving be?
Thank you!!!
This looks delicIous! Thank you for sharing!
Love, love, love ❣️❣️❣️ I Had tO substitute fettuccine noodles because i didn’t haVe spaghetti noodles … so good!! Cooked it in oven.
Next day, i warmed a bowl of it in the microwave and spooned a dollop on a TOSTITOS Original restauranT style chip (like a dip) … Soooo good ❣️❣️
That works 🙂 I am so glad you like it! I’ll have to try it as a dip!
So good!! My hubby loved it! Easy and perfect for chilly nights.
Yes, it totally is!! Thank you!
this make recipe for dinner. thank you lilluna 🙂
It is one of our favorites! Thank you!
So easy and so good – perfect for a quick weeknight meal!
The whole family loved this one!
My kids DEVOURED this! EVERYONE loved it! Thank you for a FANTASTIC recipe!
I love this twist and that you can make it in the crockpot!
Loved this! My kids are pasta fiends and completely devoured the entire thing…will definitely be making this again soon!
Most Delicious Recipe EVER! Adding it to my Dinner Rotation Schedule.
This is a family favorite!! Thanks!
Absolutely delicious! My new favorite way to eat spaghetti!
Yay!! It’s a new favorite of ours too!
Could you put chOpped chilli’s in this
You sure could 🙂
Was planning on making this tonight, but only have one can of cream of chicken soup. Was wondering if maybe I could leave that out and sub in about half a can of water and half a block of cream cheese or even using an equal measure of sour cream instead of the second can of cream of chicken soup.
What did you end up doing? Sorry, I couldn’t respond sooner. I’m thinking the water would have been fine. I haven’t added cream cheese, but now I am wondering how that would be?!
Not your typical beef spaghetti but we like it just as much. We like the combination of chicken and pasta. Served with a salad and bread this makes a great dinner!
I love that it was so easy to make. I don’t normally cook, my husband takes care of that part . My family of 5 loved it!! Mom was the best cook ever tonight!! Thank you
What a great hubby! Yay for the mom win 🙂 Thank you for trying it!
I really love the flavor of this pasta. The whole family enjoyed it! This is going on the regular rotation 🙂 Thank you!
what a great version from regular spaghetti! it was a nice change from using a red sauce & hamburger meat. we love chicken in our home & my kids devoured this! we will be making again soon!
This recipe is delicious! I like to cook the chicken for the recipe in my instant pot with some salsa and taco seasoning, then I shred it.
Perfect!! I am glad you like it!! Thank you for sharing that!
What type of salsa did you use which one should I buy ?
I can’t remember exactly which one it was, but honestly, whatever is your favorite works. I’ve used so many different ones. They all work 🙂
I made this last night and it was a hit! My husband and two little ones loved it. I am so thankful I found your page! You probably don’t realize what a blessing you are to so many who don’t know how to cook and because of you we can cook for our families! Thank you!!
You are so sweet!!! Thank you so much..I truly appreciate that! I am so glad you found my page, too 🙂
All of your recipes look so good, yummy
Thank you so much!!
I have made this a couple times. It’s sooo good. Everyone in my family loves it. No complaints here!
Yay!! Love to hear that!! Thank you for sharing!
Could you freeze this recipe?
Sure could 🙂
This sounds delicious! Question – how much pasta do you make with this; that info seems to be missing from the recipe.
It is!! I forgot to add that, but I usually cook about a pound of pasta, since that is how a lot of them come. Hope you like it!
Thanks!
oops…
need to add pasta and box size to ingredient list
It really is whatever pasta you like & I add about a pound or close to of pasta 🙂
i am literally drooooling..
LOL..you’ll have to try it 🙂