Name: Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound spaghetti; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons butter; 4-6 garlic cloves minced; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3 cups low sodium chicken broth; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 15 oz. can fire roasted tomatoes with juices; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 1/2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

There’s something so comforting about a creamy, cheesy pasta that warms you right up — that’s exactly why I’m excited to share my go-to Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe with you. It’s a mashup of tender chicken, gooey cheese, and just the right amount of spice, all tangled up with spaghetti. Perfect for cozy dinners or feeding a crowd!

A white bowl filled with creamy spaghetti pasta covered in a light orange sauce mixed with chunks of red tomatoes and green herbs scattered throughout. The pasta strands are tangled together with some lifting upward, held by a fork with a silver handle. The dish is sprinkled with finely chopped green parsley and grated white cheese. The bowl sits on a surface with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Every time I make this Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe, it’s a total hit—no matter the occasion. It’s the kind of dish that feels fancy but comes together pretty easily, which is exactly what busy weeknights call for. Seriously, you’re gonna love how creamy and flavorful it gets without needing tons of complicated steps.

Speedy Prep: You’ll have dinner ready in about 20 minutes, which makes it great for last-minute meals.
Family-Friendly Flavor: The creamy, cheesy sauce and tender chicken make it a crowd-pleaser—even the pickiest eaters ask for seconds.
Flexible Ingredients: You can switch up cheeses or chicken types depending on what you have on hand.
Perfect Comfort Food: It hits that cozy, hearty spot we all crave, especially when the weather is cooler.

The image shows a white pan full of cooked spaghetti with a creamy orange sauce, mixed with chunks of red tomatoes and small green herb leaves sprinkled on top. A woman's hand holds tongs lifting a large bundle of the spaghetti from the pan, showing the texture of the noodles twisted together and coated in the sauce. The background has a white marbled surface with two clear water glasses and a small wooden bowl. The scene is bright and fresh, with the focus on the pasta layers and the mix of colors from the sauce, tomatoes, and herbs. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe plays a key role in achieving that perfect silky, saucy texture with just the right depth of flavor. I always make sure to pick quality cheese and fresh spices—they really elevate the dish.

Flat lay of a small bundle of uncooked spaghetti noodles, a few peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a small white bowl with a pat of creamy butter, a small white bowl filled with fine all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of rich chicken broth, a small white bowl of thick heavy cream, a small white bowl of vibrant fire roasted diced tomatoes with juices, a small white bowl containing mixed dried herbs including parsley, basil, oregano, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, a small white bowl heaped with freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, a small white bowl with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a neat pile of shredded rotisserie chicken, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Spaghetti: The classic noodle for this recipe—cook it al dente so it doesn’t turn mushy when it's mixed with the sauce.
Olive Oil & Butter: Using both gives the base fat flavor a little extra richness and helps create the roux for the sauce.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds an irresistible aromatic punch that pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce.
All-Purpose Flour: This forms the roux along with butter, giving the sauce its thick and velvety texture.
Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth without overpowering, plus it keeps the saltiness balanced.
Heavy Cream: This makes the sauce luxuriously creamy—if you want a lighter option, evaporated milk with cornstarch works too.
Fire Roasted Tomatoes: They bring a smoky, tangy pop of flavor and a bit of fresh color to the sauce.
Dried Herbs & Spices: Parsley, basil, oregano, onion powder, and a kick of red pepper flakes really boost the overall flavor.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: This is where that melt-in-your-mouth cheesy goodness comes from—I love freshly grated for the best melt.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty, salty finish that layers perfectly with cheddar.
Rotisserie Chicken: Using shredded rotisserie chicken saves time and adds a wonderfully tender, flavorful protein.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I adore about this Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can get creative with the herbs, add veggies, or swap cheeses to suit your taste or what you have in your fridge.

Variation: When I want a little extra flavor depth, I toss in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a pop of color and earthiness that pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce.
Spice it Up: If you like heat, adding more red pepper flakes or even a dash of cayenne pepper really wakes up the flavors.
Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free twist, swap heavy cream for coconut cream and use a dairy-free cheese alternative—just keep the seasoning balanced to bring out the savory notes.
Protein Swap: Instead of rotisserie, grilled chicken or shredded leftover turkey works great too, making this recipe a wonderful way to use up extra cooked meat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Step 1: Cook Pasta Just Right

Start by boiling a large pot of salted water and cook your spaghetti al dente according to package instructions. I always make sure to reserve about half a cup of the pasta water before draining—it’s a game changer later! The starch in this water helps loosen the sauce if it gets too thick and helps it cling to the noodles beautifully.

Step 2: Build a Flavor-Packed Roux

In a large skillet, melt the butter with olive oil over medium-low heat. Then sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly for two minutes to cook out any raw taste. This step thickens your sauce perfectly. Toss in the minced garlic last—just 30 seconds to release all its fragrance without burning it.

Step 3: Whisk in Liquids & Seasonings

Lower the heat to low and gradually whisk in the chicken broth, followed by the heavy cream, fire roasted tomatoes with their juice, chicken bouillon, and all the dried herbs and spices. Crank the heat back to medium-high and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring often. It should thicken into a luscious, creamy base in about 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 4: Melt in Your Cheeses

Turn the heat down to low and gradually stir in the sharp cheddar cheese until it melts into a smooth sauce, then do the same with the Parmesan. The sauce will thicken and become irresistibly cheesy—this is where things get seriously good.

Step 5: Combine Chicken & Pasta

Fold in your shredded rotisserie chicken so it warms through. Then stir in the cooked spaghetti until every strand is coated in that cheesy sauce goodness. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if you want to loosen the sauce. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to your liking—this is your chance to personalize the seasoning.

Top Tip

Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that really help this Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe turn out amazing every time.

Reserve Pasta Water: Always save some pasta water to adjust the sauce’s texture—it's the magic ingredient for that perfectly silky coating on each noodle.
Low and Slow Cheese Melting: Stir cheese in over low heat to avoid a grainy texture; rushing this step can cause the cheese oils to separate.
Use Rotisserie Chicken for Quick Meals: It saves so much prep time and adds wonderful flavor—plus, it keeps the chicken super tender.
Don’t Skip Cooking the Roux: Cooking the flour and butter mixture properly removes that raw flour taste and builds the sauce’s creaminess.

How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra Parmesan on top just before serving, with some freshly chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish. A tiny dash of crushed red pepper flakes on the side is also great if you want to add some heat.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or some garlicky roasted broccoli. If you’re in the mood to indulge, some buttery garlic bread is always a winner and perfect for sopping up any extra sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special family dinner or potluck, I’ve baked this chicken spaghetti in a casserole dish topped with an extra layer of cheddar cheese until golden and bubbly—delicious! You can even serve it in cute individual ramekins for a fun presentation that everyone will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. When reheating, I gently warm it on the stove with a splash of milk or cream to bring back that luscious consistency without drying out the pasta.

Freezing

Freezing works best if you freeze the dish before baking. I let the prepared skillet mixture cool, then transfer it to a freezer-safe baking dish, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to three months. It’s a great way to prep meals ahead!

Reheating

For reheating frozen Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, I thaw it overnight in the fridge then bake at 350°F until heated through, adding about 10 extra minutes if needed. If baking from frozen, cover with foil and bake for an hour, then remove foil to brown the cheese on top for the last 10-15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh chicken instead of rotisserie?

Absolutely! You can poach, bake, or grill chicken breasts or thighs, then shred them to use in the recipe. Just make sure they’re fully cooked and tender before adding to the sauce.

What’s the best way to prevent the cheese sauce from becoming grainy?

The key is to add cheese over low heat and stir gently until melted. Avoid boiling the sauce after adding cheese, and shred cheese yourself rather than using pre-shredded to reduce stabilizers that affect melting.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You have two great options—assemble and store the pasta and sauce mixture in the fridge to reheat gently on the stove or microwave, or assemble in a baking dish topped with extra cheese and bake when ready to serve.

Is it possible to make this gluten-free?

Definitely! Just swap the regular spaghetti with your favorite gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free flour or cornstarch for thickening the sauce. The flavors stay just as delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate for me — it’s quick, satisfying, and deeply comforting. I hope it becomes a favorite for you too, whether it’s a weeknight staple or a weekend comfort meal. Give it a try, tweak it your way, and enjoy every cheesy, saucy bite!