Description
This Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe is a comforting, creamy baked pasta dish featuring tender cooked chicken, a flavorful combination of cream of chicken soup, salsa, Mexican crema, and a zesty taco seasoning. Topped with melted Mexican cheese and fresh parsley, this casserole is perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 12 oz angel hair pasta, or any long pasta
- 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
- 2 (10 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup salsa
- ¾ cup Mexican crema or sour cream
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, divided
- 1 ½ tbsp taco seasoning
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, then drain well and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: In the same pot used for cooking pasta, combine the cream of chicken soups, salsa, Mexican crema (or sour cream), chicken broth, 1 cup of the shredded Mexican cheese blend, taco seasoning, freshly ground pepper to taste, and 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley. Stir well to create a creamy sauce base.
- Add Chicken and Pasta: Add the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the sauce mixture. Then mix in 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated and combined.
- Assemble in Casserole Dish: Transfer the combined mixture into a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Evenly spread it out and top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and the dish is heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with additional fresh parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute Mexican crema with sour cream if unavailable.
- Use any long pasta such as spaghetti or linguine if angel hair is not available.
- For added heat, incorporate chopped jalapeños or a spicy salsa.
- This dish can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking; add a few extra minutes to bake if cold.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
