Chicken Spaghetti

The easiest, creamiest and most delicious recipe is this rotel chicken spaghetti made with lots of cheese. Only a couple ingredients come together to make this protein packed weeknight meal.

Velveeta and Rotel is the ultimate combo. I love making a creamy, meaty dip or fiesta corn dip with the duo as well. But I also loving making full casserole meals with them like my famous queso smothered chicken casserole, Doritos bake, chicken con queso, or nacho casserole.

It is usually just me and my husband eating this meal; however, it is very kid friendly as well. When we make it, we eat half of it for dinner and half for lunch leftovers the next day. This recipe makes amazing leftovers that reheat very well.

An Easy Family Meal

Are you looking for an easy weeknight meal? Maybe you are looking for a meal that you can prepare ahead of time. Well, this is the ultimate comfort food meal that will satisfy all of your cravings.

• This chicken spaghetti recipe requires minimal ingredients - spaghetti, chicken, rotel and cheese.
• It is very filling, satisfying and will crush any of your cravings.
• You can cook your own cheese sauce and chicken; however, you can purchase a pre-made version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this recipe kid friendly? This recipe is very kid friendly; but, if your child does not like Rotel, or thinks it is too spicy, substitute a can of diced tomatoes.

Can this recipe be reheated as leftovers? This recipe makes for great leftovers. This dish can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days and easily be reheated in the microwave or the oven.

Is this recipe good with other types of chicken or meat? This recipe will teach you how to make chicken spaghetti with ground chicken; however, this dish is great with chicken breast, chicken tenderloins, or another cut of chicken. You will just need to shred or chop it after cooking. In addition, this recipe is fantastic with other types of meat and is really good with ground beef. But, if you want to try the easier route, use rotisserie chicken and give it a little shredding.

Can I add more protein to this dish? I use Banza spaghetti, which has added protein. However, you can use another protein pasta or regular spaghetti.

List of Ingredients:

These are the essential ingredients that you will need to make the best chicken spaghetti.

• Spaghetti
• Minced garlic
• Diced onion
• Ground chicken
• Taco seasonings
• Velveeta
• Rotel
• Shredded Mexican cheese

Spaghetti

I use Banza spaghetti, which has added protein. However, you can use another protein pasta or regular spaghetti.

Minced Garlic and Diced Onion

You can buy pre-minced garlic; however, I love mincing my own with this mini food processor. You can also use that for the onion, depending on how big you like the pieces.

Ground Chicken

Typically, I will use a 99% fat-free ground chicken breast for chicken spaghetti; however, you can also substitute a different fat percentage. This dish is great with chicken breast, chicken tenderloins, or another cut of chicken. You will just need to shred or chop it after cooking.

In addition, this recipe is fantastic with other types of meat and is really good with ground beef. However, if you want to try the easier route, use rotisserie chicken and give it a little shredding.

Taco Seaosnings

This is the taco seasonings blend that I live and breathe for, but, hey, I am biased. However, you can also buy a packet, just use 2/2.5 tablespoons of it!

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon oregano

Velveeta

I used the 2% milk type for this recipe; however, you can use the regular. I believe Velveeta has some white queso blocks as well, if you want to try that too. If you want an extra creamy dish, add in a block of cream cheese as well.

Rotel

This recipe calls for Rotel because it is so easy! This is a quick and easy Rotel dip recipe and we are not trying to make it complicated. Rotel is kind of like a salsa, you could say, but not quite. It is basically petite tomatoes, green chilies and spices.

However, you are more than welcome to substitute salsa in this recipe but I prefer it with Rotel. Just be cautious as it can get a bit spicy, I am a wimp. Another alternative is to do half Rotel, half mild salsa, if you find the Rotel to be too spicy.

For a more kid friendly dish, if they do not like the Rotel, substitute a can of diced tomatoes.

Shredded Mexican Cheese

I use the Trader Joe's lite Mexican cheese blend; however, you can use any type of shredded cheese that you want to.

Step by Step Instructions

Let's make this Rotel chicken spaghetti recipe!

I typically start with the pasta, strain that, and then continue with the rest. It is not as chaotic this way and there is less cleaning.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees or a high broil.

Pasta

Start by splitting the spaghetti into thirds. Then by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions, leaving it very slightly al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water. Then, drain well and set aside.

Chicken

Heat a large pan over medium/high heat. Grease with cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil.

Add the diced onions and cook for 1-2 minutes. Place the minced garlic into the pan. Cook for another minute or two, until fragrant.

Add the ground chicken and start breaking it up. Sprinkle on the seasonings and continue to breakup while cooking. Continue to break up and mix in the seasonings until the chicken is fully cooked. 

However, you can also use pre-cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken. But, just shred it into small pieces.

Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium. Then, add the Velveeta cheese and begin to warm up the cheese. Continue to stir together and melt the cheese into the chicken.

Add the Rotel and stir together. Allow it to come to slight simmer, to heat up.

Spoon the drained spaghetti into the meat mixture and stir together. If needed, slowly add reserved pasta water, milk or sour cream (or yogurt or mayo).

Grease a casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour in the spaghetti casserole and evenly spread across the entire dish. Top with the shredded cheese.

Then bake in the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Divide into four pieces and enjoy.

What to Serve with the Best Weeknight Dinner

Chicken spaghetti is almost a complete dish, in my mind. It is just missing some vegetables! Since this dish is already cheesy and slightly spicy, I love serving this with a sweeter vegetable like my maple bacon Brussels sprouts, my candied carrot chips or crunchy crack broccoli.

storing and leftovers

You can store chicken spaghetti in the fridge for up to three days in an air tight container. To heat it up, I typically pop it in the microwave for a few minutes. But, you can also add it back to a casserole dish and place it in the oven.

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Chicken Spaghetti - Rotel and Velveeta Casserole

The easiest, creamiest and most delicious recipe is this rotel chicken spaghetti made with lots of cheese. Only a couple ingredients come together to make this protein packed weeknight meal.

Tap here to automatically calculate your Weight Watchers points. It is 8 points for me; however, it may be different for you.