If you have a cozy night in planned or simply want to wow your family with a hearty, comforting dish, this Cream Cheese Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe is exactly what you need. It combines tender chicken, rich cream cheese, and gooey cheeses baked with perfectly cooked spaghetti and a lively pop of diced tomatoes with green chilies. This dish is the epitome of creamy, cheesy goodness while being warm and inviting — perfect for anytime you crave a satisfying, homemade meal that feels like a big, savory hug.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Cream Cheese Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to bring the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and colors. From the savory Italian seasoning to the melty cheeses, these simple components together create an amazing comfort food experience.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: The star protein, providing tender bites that absorb all the flavorful sauce wonderfully.
- Italian Seasoning: A fragrant blend that boosts the chicken’s flavor with hints of herbs like oregano and basil.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning, they bring balance and depth to every bite.
- Olive Oil: Used for searing the chicken, it adds a subtle fruity richness and helps develop a beautiful crust.
- Butter: Melts into the sauce base delivering smoothness and a slight nuttiness.
- Yellow Onion: Diced to soften and add a mild sweetness to the sauce.
- Garlic: Minced for a sharp, aromatic punch that elevates the entire dish.
- Flour: Creates a roux that thickens the sauce to a luscious, creamy consistency.
- Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth and richness to the sauce.
- Milk: Lightens the sauce and contributes creaminess.
- Cream Cheese: The magic ingredient for the signature creamy texture and tangy undertone.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded for sharpness and melty goodness in the sauce.
- Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies: Adds a fresh, mildly spicy brightness and color contrast.
- Thin Spaghetti: The pasta base that soaks up all the rich flavors beautifully.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Topping the bake with a gooey, golden finish.
- Red Pepper Flakes and Chopped Parsley: Garnishes that add a touch of heat and fresh herbaceousness.
How to Make Cream Cheese Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Chicken
Start by slicing the chicken breasts in half lengthwise for even, quick cooking. Pat them dry to ensure a good sear, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until beautifully golden. Let them cool slightly before dicing into bite-sized pieces that will mix perfectly into the pasta later.
Step 2: Creating the Flavorful Sauce Base
Using the same pan, melt butter over medium low heat while scraping up all the delightful browned bits left from the chicken — this fond adds deep flavor to the sauce. Toss in diced onions and cook until softened and translucent, then add minced garlic for a fragrant boost. Sprinkle flour evenly over the onions and stir for about 2 minutes until the raw flour smell disappears, setting the stage for a silky roux.
Step 3: Building the Creamy Sauce
Gradually add chicken broth in small splashes, whisking constantly to keep the sauce smooth. Follow with milk, continuing to whisk carefully until fully combined. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, then add softened cream cheese, stirring constantly until it melts into a velvety mixture. Lower the heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
Step 4: Incorporating Tomatoes and Pasta
If you’d like a little more sauce liquidity, add a splash of the diced tomatoes’ juice; otherwise, drain the juice and add the tomatoes with green chilies directly into the sauce. Stir in the diced chicken, blending all those fantastic flavors. Meanwhile, boil your thin spaghetti according to package directions, then drain and toss with the creamy chicken sauce. Transfer everything to a lightly greased 9×13 casserole dish if your cooking pot isn’t oven-safe.
Step 5: Baking to Perfection
Top the casserole with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. For that irresistible golden brown finish, broil at 475 degrees for 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on it during broiling to avoid burning, then remove from the oven and garnish with red pepper flakes and fresh parsley. Your Cream Cheese Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe is ready to serve!
How to Serve Cream Cheese Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe
Garnishes
Red pepper flakes are a wonderful way to add a touch of heat, while fresh chopped parsley brightens up the flavor and adds a lovely pop of color. These simple garnishes really elevate the dish and make it visually irresistible before it even hits the table.
Side Dishes
This creamy, cheesy dish pairs beautifully with a side of garlic bread with cheese to soak up every last bit of sauce. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or roasted vegetables also provide a lovely contrast in texture and freshness alongside the rich bake.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual portions in oven-safe ramekins topped with mozzarella and broiled till bubbly. You can also sprinkle on toasted breadcrumbs or extra herbs like basil or thyme for another layer of texture and aroma. Presentation can make the dish feel even more special if you’re serving guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Cream Cheese Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe keeps wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers even tastier the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Just make sure to cool completely before freezing. To enjoy later, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor preservation.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through. In the oven, cover with foil and heat at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes to keep moisture locked in. Add a sprinkle of extra cheese on top if you want to revive that fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using leftover or rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut that saves time without sacrificing flavor. Just dice and add it in during the sauce step as directed.
What type of pasta works best for this bake?
Thin spaghetti is recommended for its ability to soak up sauce evenly, but you can substitute with angel hair or even broken pieces of linguine if that’s what you have on hand.
Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?
With some substitutions, yes! You can use dairy-free cream cheese, milk alternatives like oat or almond milk, and vegan cheeses to approximate the creamy texture and cheesy taste.
How spicy is the dish with diced green chilies and red pepper flakes?
The heat level is mild to moderate, providing just a nice kick without overwhelming the creamy flavors. You can adjust or omit these ingredients based on your spice preference.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Definitely. You can make the sauce and cook the chicken ahead of time, then refrigerate separately. When ready to bake, cook the pasta fresh, assemble, and bake as directed for best results.
Final Thoughts
There is something incredibly comforting and satisfying about this Cream Cheese Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels special enough for guests but easy and cozy enough for a weeknight dinner. I can’t encourage you enough to give it a try — your family will thank you for the creamy, cheesy goodness packed with vibrant flavors and that perfect home-cooked touch.
Print
Cream Cheese Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This creamy and flavorful Chicken Spaghetti is a comforting casserole dish featuring tender seared chicken, a rich cheesy sauce with cream cheese and cheddar, diced tomatoes with green chilies for a mild kick, and thin spaghetti. Baked to perfection with a golden mozzarella topping, this recipe blends textures and tastes for a crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 Tablespoons flour
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup milk
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 10 oz. diced tomatoes & green chilies, juice separated
Pasta and Topping
- ½ lb. thin spaghetti
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise for thinner pieces. Pat dry and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat, then sear chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until cooked through. Remove, let cool slightly, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the sauce base: Reduce heat to medium-low and melt butter in the same pan used for chicken to capture the flavorful browned bits (fond). Cook diced onions in butter until softened, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Thicken the sauce: Sprinkle flour over onion and garlic mixture, stir to coat evenly, and cook for 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
- Add liquids: Gradually add chicken broth in splashes, stirring continuously to maintain roux thickness. Slowly pour in milk while whisking until smooth and combined.
- Boil pasta: While sauce simmers and thickens, bring a pot of salted water to a boil, cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, then drain.
- Create creamy cheese sauce: Lower heat to medium-low. Add softened cream cheese to the sauce, stirring continuously until melted and smooth. Then add shredded cheddar cheese and mix until fully combined and melted.
- Add tomatoes and chicken: Drain excess juice from diced tomatoes (reserve some juice if you want a thinner sauce). Stir diced tomatoes and cooked chicken pieces into the sauce, mixing thoroughly.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Stir cooked spaghetti into the sauce until fully coated. If your pan is not oven-safe, transfer the mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Bake: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top of the casserole. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Broil for topping: To achieve a slightly browned, golden top, broil the casserole at 475°F (246°C) for 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle with red pepper flakes and fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot, ideally with a side of garlic bread with cheese for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can use pre-cooked or leftover chicken to save time; just stir it in with the sauce at the end.
- Softening the cream cheese beforehand makes it easier to melt in the sauce, preventing lumps.
- Reserving some tomato juice allows you to adjust the sauce consistency to your liking.
- Use thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta for best texture and integration with the sauce.
- Keep a close eye while broiling to avoid burning the cheese topping quickly.
