Cheesy Baked Chicken Spaghetti – Easy Comfort Food Recipe
Ultimate Baked Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Delight
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and set it aside.
- In a large pot of boiling lightly salted water, cook the spaghetti until it reaches an al dente texture. Drain the noodles and toss them gently to prevent sticking while cooling.
- Meanwhile, blend together the milk, chicken broth, and flour until completely smooth. Set the mixture aside.
- Place the drained pot over medium heat. Melt the butter and stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and thyme. Sauté the spices for about 30-45 seconds until fragrant and sizzling.
- Pour in the milk blend while whisking continuously. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese and 2 cups of the cheddar cheese until smooth and velvety. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- In a large bowl (or return the sauce to the pot if preferred), combine the cooked spaghetti and chopped chicken with the cheesy sauce, ensuring every strand is well coated.
- Transfer the sauced pasta and chicken mixture into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan and cheddar cheeses generously on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the casserole is bubbling along the edges and the top is lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh chopped parsley (if using), and serve immediately while the sauce is delectably creamy.
This baked cheesy chicken spaghetti is a sincere celebration of comfort food done right! With a luxuriously smooth homemade cheese sauce and perfectly tender chicken, every bite gleams with nostalgic flavor and modern ease.
No frills, just hearty goodness that’s easy to share with friends and neighbors. Ideal for a take-home meal when you want to spread joy in the simplest of ways!
Crafting the Silky Cheese Sauce
The backbone of this dish is the perfect combination of spaghetti and tender chicken, but the star of the flavor show is the from-scratch cheese sauce.
- Begin by melting butter in a pot and adding your essential pantry seasonings: onion powder, garlic powder, basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Next, blend together chicken broth, milk, and flour until smooth, then add this mix to the spiced butter.
- Let the mixture simmer gently for a few minutes until it starts bubbling and thickening ever so slightly.
- Add in Parmesan and cheddar cheeses, stirring consistently until the sauce becomes lusciously creamy.
Assemble, Bake & Enjoy
Toss your warm, tender chicken and spaghetti with the delicious cheese sauce. Then transfer the mixture into your 9×13-inch pan and top with an extra sprinkling of cheese—because more cheese is always a good idea! Pop it in the oven until the edges bubble and the topping turns a radiant golden brown.
Special Tip: For an extra burst of freshness, try sprinkling a few torn basil leaves over the piping hot dish just before serving. It’s a little secret that elevates the flavor profile beautifully.
If you have time, use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded options. Fresh cheese melts into a more velvety, rich sauce, making your dish even creamier and more indulgent.
