This chicken spaghetti recipe is a perfect choice! With tender chicken, creamy sauce, and pasta, it’s a family-friendly dish that’s easy to make. Whether for a busy weeknight or a cozy dinner, this recipe is sure to satisfy. Plus, it’s versatile enough to customize with your favorite veggies or spices!
Key Benefits
This chicken spaghetti recipe is not just delicious—it’s packed with benefits that make it a standout choice for any meal! Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Quick and Easy: This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need something satisfying but don’t have much time.
- Family-Friendly: With its creamy texture and mild flavor, this recipe is perfect for kids and adults alike. It’s a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy!
- Nutrient-Packed: Thanks to the protein from chicken breasts and the fiber from pasta, this recipe provides a balanced meal that keeps you full without being overly heavy.
- Customizable: Whether you prefer a little spice or want to add more veggies, this recipe can be easily adjusted to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. Add bell peppers, spinach, or even some shredded cheese for an extra boost of flavor.
- Versatile: This dish can be served as a main course, or you can pair it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Plus, leftovers taste just as great the next day!
With all these benefits, this chicken spaghetti recipe will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. Ready to get started? Let’s move on to the ingredients!
Ingredients for the chicken spaghetti recipe
Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless) – Chicken breasts are tender and easy to cook. You can use rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.
Spaghetti – Spaghetti holds up well in the creamy sauce. You can use other pasta if you prefer.
Heavy Cream – Heavy cream makes the sauce rich and creamy. You can use half-and-half for a lighter version.
Garlic – Fresh garlic adds flavor to the sauce. Mince it finely for the best taste.
Parmesan Cheese – Parmesan adds a salty, cheesy flavor. Freshly grated is best.
Olive Oil – Olive oil helps cook the chicken and adds flavor.
Chicken Broth – Chicken broth adds depth to the sauce and helps deglaze the pan.
Salt & Pepper – Salt and pepper season the chicken and sauce. Adjust to your taste.
Instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to bring this chicken spaghetti recipe to life. Follow these easy steps to create a creamy, delicious dish:
Cook the Spaghetti: Boil salted water, cook spaghetti until al dente, drain, and save 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet, season chicken, cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, then set aside and slice.
Make the Creamy Sauce: Sauté garlic, add chicken broth, simmer, then stir in heavy cream and cook until the sauce thickens.
Combine Everything: Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet, toss in the sauce, and stir in Parmesan cheese.
Add the Chicken: Add sliced chicken to the skillet and toss everything together.
Pro Tips for the chicken spaghetti recipe
To take your chicken spaghetti recipe from good to great, here are some pro tips that will elevate your dish:
Use Fresh Chicken: For the best texture and flavor, always opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They cook quickly and remain juicy when prepared properly. If you’re short on time, you can use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut!
Don’t Overcook the Pasta: It’s easy to overcook pasta, especially when you’re multi-tasking. To prevent this, cook the spaghetti al dente (firm to the bite). This helps it hold up better when tossed in the sauce and prevents it from becoming mushy.
Add a Little Spice: If you like a bit of heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a nice kick. You can also incorporate a diced jalapeño when sautéing the garlic for extra flavor.
Creamier Sauce: If you prefer an even richer sauce, add a little extra heavy cream or even a splash of half-and-half. The more cream, the silkier the texture!
Cheese Options: Parmesan cheese is a must for this recipe, but you can also mix in some shredded mozzarella or cheddar for an added cheesy pull. Experiment to find your favorite blend!
Make It a One-Pan Meal: To make cleanup easier, you can cook everything in one pan. After cooking the chicken, remove it and set it aside, then use the same pan to make the sauce and toss the pasta. This adds extra flavor to the sauce from the chicken bits left behind.
Variations
One of the best things about this chicken spaghetti recipe is how easily it can be customized to suit your tastes and dietary preferences. Here are a few tasty variations to try:
Veggie Boost: Add more veggies to the dish for extra flavor and nutrition. Consider stirring in spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers when sautéing the garlic. You can even add some broccoli or mushrooms to the sauce for a more hearty meal.
Spicy Chicken Spaghetti: If you love a bit of heat, spice things up with some cayenne pepper or chili flakes. You can also swap the chicken broth for spicy chicken broth or add a diced jalapeño along with the garlic for a punch of spice.
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti: For extra cheesy goodness, try adding a handful of shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese along with the Parmesan cheese. This will create an ultra-creamy, cheesy pasta that’s a real crowd-pleaser.
Low-Carb Version: If you’re watching your carbs, swap the spaghetti for zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. This keeps the dish low-carb while still offering the same comforting flavors.
Serving Suggestions
Now that your chicken spaghetti is ready to go, it’s time to think about how to serve it! Here are some serving ideas that will take your meal to the next level:
Pair with a Fresh Salad: A crisp salad is the perfect side to balance out the creamy richness of the pasta. Consider a simple Caesar salad or a mixed greens salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess.
Garlic Bread or Crusty Bread: Who doesn’t love garlic bread with pasta? The buttery, garlicky crunch complements the creamy spaghetti wonderfully. You can also serve this dish with some crusty French bread for dipping into the sauce.
Steamed Vegetables: For a lighter meal, pair your chicken spaghetti with some steamed vegetables, like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus. The slight crunch of these veggies adds a nice contrast to the soft pasta.
A Sprinkle of Fresh Herbs: Garnish your dish with some freshly chopped parsley or basil to add a pop of color and freshness. This simple touch can elevate the presentation and flavor.
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FAQs about the chicken spaghetti recipe
Here are some frequently asked questions about this delicious chicken spaghetti recipe, with answers that will help you perfect your dish!
Can I make chicken spaghetti ahead of time?
Absolutely! This recipe is great for meal prep. You can prepare the sauce and chicken in advance, then just cook the pasta when you’re ready to serve. It also reheats beautifully, so it’s perfect for leftovers the next day.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes! While spaghetti is traditional, you can easily swap it for other types of pasta, such as penne, fettuccine, or even rotini. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time according to the pasta type you choose.
What if I don’t have heavy cream?
No problem! You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version or cream cheese for a thicker, richer sauce. Both options will work wonderfully in the recipe.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
If you love spice, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce or sauté a jalapeño along with the garlic. For an even bolder kick, consider adding a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
chicken spaghetti recipe
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts boneless, skinless: 2 medium-sized pieces
- Spaghetti: 8 ounces
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- Garlic: 3 cloves minced
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup freshly grated
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Chicken Broth: 1 cup
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once it’s boiling, add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water, and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside to rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any bits of chicken stuck to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss it in the creamy sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and continue tossing until the pasta is well-coated and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce feels too thick, add some reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Add the Chicken: Finally, add the sliced chicken back into the skillet, tossing to combine everything evenly.