What the heck is this?
This isn’t your typical red-sauce spaghetti situation. We’re talking about the creamy, dreamy, soul-warming kind of pasta that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Picture tender chunks of juicy chicken swimming in a velvety, rich sauce that coats every single strand of spaghetti like it was meant to be there. This is the dish that shows up to potlucks and gets completely demolished while people ask for the recipe. It’s comfort food at its finest — the kind that makes you close your eyes on the first bite and just say “mmmmm.” My kids call it “the good pasta” and honestly? They’re not wrong.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Pure comfort food magic that fixes any bad day
- Creamy, rich sauce that doesn’t break or get weird
- Uses simple ingredients but tastes like restaurant quality
- Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping
- Kid-approved, adult-obsessed
- One-pot wonder that saves on dishes
- Reheats beautifully and freezes like a dream
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Pasta & Chicken:
- 1 lb spaghetti (or your favorite long pasta)
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
For the Creamy Dream Sauce:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth (good quality stuff)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sour cream (room temperature is key)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Optional But Amazing:
- 1 can diced tomatoes, drained (adds a nice pop)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (color and nutrition)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Red pepper flakes for heat
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Get That Pasta Going
Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining (trust me on this).
Drain and set aside — don’t rinse it.
Step 2: Chicken Time
Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
Remove chicken and set aside (don’t worry about cleaning the pan).
Step 3: Build That Base
In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat.
Add diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Make the Magic Sauce
Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir constantly for 2 minutes (this cooks out the flour taste).
Slowly whisk in chicken broth, making sure no lumps form.
Bring to a simmer and let it thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 5: Cream Dream
Lower heat to low and slowly stir in heavy cream.
Add room temperature sour cream (cold sour cream will curdle, so let it sit out first).
Stir in both cheeses until melted and smooth.
Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Add cooked chicken back to the sauce.
Toss in the cooked spaghetti and gently combine until every strand is coated.
If it seems too thick, add pasta water a little at a time until perfect.
If using peas or tomatoes, stir them in now.
Step 7: Serve and Conquer
Taste and adjust seasoning — more salt? More cheese? Live your best life.
Serve immediately topped with fresh parsley and extra parmesan.
Watch people’s faces light up with pure joy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a simple green salad and garlic bread for the full comfort food experience.
Add some steamed broccoli on the side to balance out all that creamy goodness.
A glass of white wine doesn’t hurt either — this is fancy comfort food, after all.
Switch It Up
Veggie Loaded: Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach with the onions.
Spicy Kick: Stir in some jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
Bacon Lover: Cook some bacon first, use the fat to cook the chicken, crumble bacon on top.
Lighter Version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Tex-Mex Twist: Add cumin, chili powder, and diced green chiles. Top with pepper jack cheese.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can cook the chicken and make the sauce a day ahead — just combine when ready to serve.
The whole dish can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking.
Freeze portions in individual containers for up to 3 months.
When reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to bring back the creaminess.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken? A: Absolutely! Just shred it and add it to the sauce to warm through. Total time-saver.
Q: What if my sauce breaks or curdles? A: Usually happens if things get too hot. Remove from heat, whisk in a splash of cold cream, and it should come back together.
Q: Can I make this ahead for a party? A: Yes! Assemble everything, cover, and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.
Q: What’s the best pasta shape for this? A: Spaghetti is classic, but penne, rigatoni, or even egg noodles work great too.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free? A: It’s tricky since the creaminess is the whole point, but you can try cashew cream and nutritional yeast. Won’t be quite the same, but still tasty.
Print
Chicken Spaghetti: The Ultimate Comfort Food That Hugs You From the Inside
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
This isn’t your typical red-sauce spaghetti situation. We’re talking about the creamy, dreamy, soul-warming kind of pasta that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Picture tender chunks of juicy chicken swimming in a velvety, rich sauce that coats every single strand of spaghetti like it was meant to be there. This is the dish that shows up to potlucks and gets completely demolished while people ask for the recipe. It’s comfort food at its finest — the kind that makes you close your eyes on the first bite and just say “mmmmm.” My kids call it “the good pasta” and honestly? They’re not wrong.
Ingredients
For the Pasta & Chicken:
- 1 lb spaghetti (or your favorite long pasta)
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
For the Creamy Dream Sauce:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth (good quality stuff)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sour cream (room temperature is key)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Optional But Amazing:
- 1 can diced tomatoes, drained (adds a nice pop)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (color and nutrition)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining (trust me on this).
Drain and set aside — don’t rinse it.
Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
Remove chicken and set aside (don’t worry about cleaning the pan).
In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat.
Add diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir constantly for 2 minutes (this cooks out the flour taste).
Slowly whisk in chicken broth, making sure no lumps form.
Bring to a simmer and let it thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Lower heat to low and slowly stir in heavy cream.
Add room temperature sour cream (cold sour cream will curdle, so let it sit out first).
Stir in both cheeses until melted and smooth.
Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Add cooked chicken back to the sauce.
Toss in the cooked spaghetti and gently combine until every strand is coated.
If it seems too thick, add pasta water a little at a time until perfect.
If using peas or tomatoes, stir them in now.
Taste and adjust seasoning — more salt? More cheese? Live your best life.
Serve immediately topped with fresh parsley and extra parmesan.
Watch people’s faces light up with pure joy.
Notes
Serve with a simple green salad and garlic bread for the full comfort food experience.
Add some steamed broccoli on the side to balance out all that creamy goodness.
A glass of white wine doesn’t hurt either — this is fancy comfort food, after all.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~520 kcal per serving
- Protein: ~28g