My Famous Chicken Spaghetti That Everyone Loves

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My Famous Chicken Spaghetti That Everyone Loves

This creamy, cheesy, and comforting Chicken Spaghetti is a crowd-pleaser at every gathering! It’s the perfect dish for potlucks, family dinners, or make-ahead freezer meals. With tender chicken, flavorful seasonings, and a rich, cheesy sauce, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit.

Ingredients

For the Chicken & Pasta:

  • 1 whole fryer chicken, cut into pieces (or 2 cups shredded cooked chicken)
  • 3 cups dry spaghetti, broken into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 cups reserved chicken broth (from boiling the chicken)

For the Sauce & Flavoring:

  • 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of mushroom soup (or substitute one with cream of chicken for extra flavor)
  • 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (plus 1 cup extra for topping)
  • ¼ cup finely diced green bell pepper
  • ¼ cup finely diced onion
  • 1 jar (4 oz) diced pimentos, drained
  • 1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoned Salt (or regular seasoning salt)
  • ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste

For Topping:

  • 1 cup additional grated sharp cheddar cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

  1. Place the cut-up fryer chicken in a large pot and cover with water.
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
  3. Remove the chicken and set aside to cool. Reserve 2 cups of the broth for later use.
  4. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and shred into bite-sized pieces. Measure out 2 cups of shredded chicken and set aside.

💡 For extra flavor, add a bay leaf, a few whole peppercorns, and a pinch of garlic powder to the broth while cooking the chicken!

Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti

  1. In the same pot of reserved broth, bring it to a boil.
  2. Add 3 cups of dry spaghetti (broken into 2-inch pieces) and cook until al dente (about 7-8 minutes).
  3. Drain the spaghetti, but do not rinse—this helps the sauce cling to the noodles.

💡 Cooking the spaghetti in the flavorful broth instead of plain water gives it extra depth!

Step 3: Mix Everything Together

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine:
    • Cooked spaghetti
    • Shredded chicken
    • Cream of mushroom soup (or a mix of mushroom & chicken soups)
    • 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
    • Diced green bell pepper
    • Diced onion
    • Drained pimentos
    • Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
    • Cayenne pepper (start with ⅛ tsp, adjust to taste)
    • Salt & black pepper, to taste
    • 2 cups reserved chicken broth (add gradually to get the desired creamy texture)
  2. Stir until everything is well combined and coated in the creamy sauce.

💡 For an even richer dish, you can stir in ½ cup sour cream or ½ cup cream cheese before baking!

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

  1. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Pour the chicken spaghetti mixture into the prepared dish and spread evenly.
  3. Sprinkle 1 cup additional grated cheddar cheese evenly on top.

💡 Want a crunchy topping? Mix the cheese with ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers or buttered breadcrumbs before sprinkling!

Step 5: Bake or Store for Later

To Bake Immediately:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
  • Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

To Make Ahead (Refrigerate or Freeze):

  • Cover tightly with foil.
  • Refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
  • Freeze for up to 6 months (thaw overnight in the fridge before baking).

💡 If baking straight from frozen, add an extra 15-20 minutes to the bake time.

Serving Suggestions

🌿 With a Side Salad: Serve with a fresh garden salad for a well-balanced meal.
🍞 Garlic Bread: A slice of warm, buttery garlic bread complements the cheesy flavors.
🥦 Steamed Veggies: Roasted or steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans add a healthy touch.

💡 For a spicy twist, top with sliced jalapeños before baking!

Variations & Customizations

✔ Tex-Mex Chicken Spaghetti:

  • Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese.
  • Add 1 can of Rotel tomatoes (drained) for extra spice.
  • Stir in 1 teaspoon taco seasoning for a Tex-Mex kick!

✔ Creamier Version:

  • Mix in ½ cup sour cream or ½ cup cream cheese before baking.

✔ Meat Swap:

  • Use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking a fryer chicken.
  • Substitute chicken with ground beef or turkey for a different flavor.

✔ Veggie Add-Ins:

  • Stir in sautéed mushrooms or frozen peas for extra texture.

Storage & Reheating Tips

🧊 To Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
🔥 To Reheat:

  • Microwave: Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.
  • Oven: Cover with foil and bake at 325°F for 15 minutes or until warmed through.
  • Stovetop: Reheat in a pan over low heat with a splash of milk or broth to keep it creamy.

Why This Recipe is a Family Favorite

✔ Ultra Creamy & Cheesy – The perfect comfort food with a velvety texture.
✔ Great for Leftovers – It tastes even better the next day!
✔ Feeds a Crowd – A big batch meal that’s perfect for gatherings.
✔ Freezer-Friendly – Make ahead and enjoy later with minimal effort.

Final Thoughts

This Famous Chicken Spaghetti is truly one of the best comfort food casseroles—rich, creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor! Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, potluck, or freezing it for later, it’s a dish that always gets rave reviews.

Make it your own with different cheese, spice levels, or veggie add-ins, and enjoy a tried-and-true classic that everyone will request again and again!

Enjoy your meal and happy cooking! 🍽❤️

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