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Easy Homemade Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel

By: Melissa Coleman Last Updated: Jan 10, 2024 This post may contain affiliate links.

Discover the ultimate comfort food with our delicious chicken spaghetti with rotel and velvetta! Perfectly cooked pasta, tender chicken, and a savory, creamy, cheesy sauce come together in this easy-to-make dish that's sure to satisfy your taste buds. Get ready to enjoy a hearty and flavorful meal tonight!



Nothing says ultimate comfort food quite like this creamy and cheesy, homemade chicken spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta.


It is comfort food with a big flavor to the max.


Who says spaghetti has to be traditional with pasta sauce?


Why not jazz it up with some good things like tender chicken, spicy tomatoes, and lots of cheese?

A white plate of cheesy chicken spaghetti  on a marble table. In the foreground is a plate of side salad and Texas toast



A quick and easy creamy chicken spaghetti casserole dish that all the kids love, because well; pasta, cheese, and chicken are perfection.


It is great as a stand-alone complete meal or you can have it with something like garlic bread.


You really can't go wrong with this southern recipe that all of your friends and the whole family will find addictive.


It is one of our most popular recipes and a family favorite.

Like the Three Cheese Manicotti recipe, this is another one of our favorite homemade pasta dishes.

It also makes for great leftovers as well.



What's in this post?

  • Reasons why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients you will need
  • Recommended tools
  • How to make this chicken spaghetti casserole
  • Frequently Asked Questions



Reasons You'll Love This Recipe

  • Flavorful and Spicy: Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies add a spicy kick to the dish, enhancing its overall flavor profile. The combination of these ingredients provides a unique and delicious taste.

  • Easy to Make: Chicken spaghetti with Rotel is relatively easy to prepare, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights. Many people appreciate the simplicity of the recipe.

  • Comfort Food: It's a classic comfort food that reminds people of home-cooked meals and gatherings with loved ones. The creamy, cheesy, and spicy elements make it a satisfying and comforting dish.

  • Versatile: You can customize the recipe to suit your preferences. You can adjust the level of spiciness by choosing the type of Rotel (mild, medium, or hot), and you can add other ingredients like bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms to personalize the dish.

  • Family-Friendly: This easy chicken spaghetti recipe is often a hit with both kids and adults. The combination of pasta, chicken, and cheese is generally appealing to a wide range of palates.

  • Leftovers: It reheats well, so you can enjoy it for several meals, making it a practical option for meal planning.

  • Cheesy Goodness: The dish is loaded with melted cheese, which adds a creamy and indulgent element that many people find irresistible.

  • Satisfying and Filling: The combination of pasta and chicken provides a hearty and filling meal, making it a great choice for those looking for a satisfying dinner option.



Ingredients for creamy a chicken spaghetti recipe with Rotel

  • ½ Package of Spaghetti Noodles (8 ozs of a 16 oz pkg) - These are the base of the dish, providing a hearty pasta component.

  • 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (you could also use store-bought shredded rotisserie chicken to save time or leftover chicken) - The chicken is the main source of protein in the dish. Whether using fresh chicken breasts or pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, it adds a delicious and meaty component to the recipe.

  • 1 cup Chicken Broth (you can just use the broth from boiling the chicken) - The chicken broth serves multiple purposes. It's used for cooking the chicken breasts, infusing them with flavor, and also provides a liquid base for the sauce, contributing to the overall savory and chicken-flavored profile of the dish.

  • 1 lb Velveeta Cheese - Velveeta cheese is a key ingredient for creating a creamy, cheesy sauce that coats the pasta and chicken, giving the dish its signature richness and flavor. If you are not a fan of velvetta you could substitute for shredded block cheese.

  • 1 Can Rotel Tomatoes (we prefer mild Rotel) - Rotel tomatoes, especially the mild variety, add a subtle kick of spiciness and tanginess to the dish. They provide a contrast to the creamy elements, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

  • 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup - Cream of chicken soup contributes to the creamy consistency of the sauce, making it thick and velvety while adding an extra layer of chicken flavor.

  • 1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup - Cream of mushroom soup adds depth and an umami richness to the sauce. It complements the chicken and cheese flavors while providing a hint of earthiness.

Ingredients to make chicken spaghetti



Recommended Tools

  • Stock Pot (for boiling chicken)
  • Saucepan (for making the cheese sauce)
  • Casserole Baking Dish (for putting it all together)
  • Electric Mixer (optional, but works amazingly well for shredded chicken)



This recipe serves approximately 6 people but you can double the recipe to make even more of this gooey dish for leftovers, a large family, or a larger crowd.

How to make Homemade Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velvetta!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.


Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and boil the chicken breast over medium-high heat until fully cooked.


You can use chicken legs or thighs if you choose just discard the bones and skin.

boiling chicken in a pot of water



Remove chicken and 1 cup of the chicken broth for later use.


Shred the cooked chicken into pieces.


I like to use my Ninja Chopper or Kitchenaid for this, they both work great for shredding chicken.

Collage of the process to make chicken spaghetti, taking out a cup of broth and shredding the chicken



Cook spaghetti (in the pasta water or new water) according to the package directions and until al dente.


Cube your Velvetta and mix with the 1 cup of chicken broth and heat on low heat until the cheese melts.

Collage of cubed Velveeta being mixed with chicken broth and the melted Velveeta



Combine the Rotel, both cans of soup, chicken, and cooked spaghetti with the creamy cheesy sauce.

Collage of the mixed chicken spaghetti ingredients in a pan.



Bake in a 9×13 inch casserole dish at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes.

Casserole dish of cheesy chicken spaghetti



You can add some chopped green onions, bell pepper, red peppers, or green chilies on top for a garnish if you prefer.

White casserole dish full of chicken spaghetti



Frequently Asked Questions

Can you freeze Rotel chicken spaghetti casserole?

This cheesy chicken spaghetti freezes exceptionally well, go ahead and make it in advance. Once you place it in the casserole dish, you don't need to bake it first, just freeze it for up to four months.


It is important to note that the consistency of the creamy sauce won’t be exactly the same when reheated from frozen. When you're ready to enjoy it, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Alternatively, you can reheat it directly from frozen, but it may take longer to warm through.

How to store leftovers for this recipe!

For best results, store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Allow the chicken spaghetti to cool to room temperature before storing it.


Do not leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours to prevent bacteria growth. If you have a large batch of chicken spaghetti, divide it into smaller portions. This makes it easier to store and reheat only what you need at a time.

Can I use different types of pasta?

Yes, you can use different pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni. However, keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the pasta type.

What can I substitute for Rotel tomatoes with green chilies?

If you can't find Rotel, you can use diced tomatoes and add some chopped green chilies or jalapeños to achieve a similar flavor profile.

Can I prepare this dish in advance for a party?

Yes, you can prepare chicken spaghetti ahead of time and refrigerate it. Reheat it in the oven or on the stovetop before serving.

How do I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy when reheating?

To prevent overcooking the pasta dish during reheating, slightly undercook it when initially preparing the dish. When reheating, heat until just warmed through.

Can I add extra vegetables or ingredients?

Absolutely! Many people add bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or other vegetables to enhance the flavor and nutrition of the dish.

Can Chicken Spaghetti be made in the slow cooker?

Yes, you can make chicken spaghetti in a slow cooker! Slow cooker chicken spaghetti is a convenient and delicious option, especially if you prefer a hands-off cooking method.

white plate of chicken spaghetti with some twirled around a fork
creamy baked chicken spaghetti



EVEN MORE CHICKEN RECIPES YOU MIGHT LOVE:

  • Chicken Cobbler Recipe
  • Easy Marry Me Chicken Recipe
  • Panda Express Orange Chicken Copycat
  • Easy Chicken Parmesan Casserole
  • Quick & Easy Chicken and Dumplings
  • Poppy Seed Chicken
  • Sweet & Tangy Jerk Chicken Kabobs
  • Honey Sesame Chicken
  • Chicken Carbonara Pasta

Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Melissa Coleman
There is nothing that says ultimate comfort food quite like this cheesy, chicken spaghetti casserole dish. It is comfort food with big flavor to the max.
4.43 from 54 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Ingredients
  

  • ½ Package of Spaghetti
  • 2 Boneless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 lb Velveeta Cheese
  • 1 Can Rotel
  • 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
  • 1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Boil chicken breast in a pot of water until fully cooked. {You can use chicken legs or thighs if you choose just discard the bones and skin.} Remove chicken and 1 cup of the chicken broth for later use. Shred the chicken into pieces.
  • Cook spaghetti according to the package.
  • Cube your Velveeta and mix with the 1 cup of chicken broth and heat on low until cheese melts.
  • Combine the Rotel, both cans of soup, chicken, and spaghetti with the cheese.
  • Bake in a 9x13 dish at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 28gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 2146mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7g
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Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.43 from 54 votes (54 ratings without comment)

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  1. LaLa says

    June 07, 2023 at 4:39 pm

    I’ve never seen the point in baking this. My friend used to bake hers and I never did, we use the exact same ingredients and nobody has ever been able to tell a difference when we would both bring it to potlucks. So she doesn’t bake hers now either and saves a lot of time. I boil them drain my noodles, add all the ingredients, stir until melted and blended and done ! Takes less than 30 minutes

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      June 08, 2023 at 11:52 am

      Lala,

      You definitely don't have to bake the dish if you choose not to as at the point of baking all the necessary things are already cooked like the chicken and noodles. I just personally think the baking process melds all the ingredients together better. If you can't tell the difference for your recipe I would skip the process as well. Always great to save extra time.

      Reply
  2. Lacie says

    May 12, 2023 at 2:41 am

    I made this bus i just added two cans of chicken soup and i loved bowtie noodles instead. Talking about good. My son never eats hes picky and well he loved it. I also added bell pepper, garlic, onion and celery to the broth. which i had read Martees’ post. It was good thanks.

    Reply
    • Melissa says

      May 12, 2023 at 3:05 pm

      Glad to hear your kiddo loved it. It's definitely a easy recipe to tweak to your liking.

      Reply
  3. Martee says

    January 11, 2023 at 1:56 pm

    I’ve made chicken spaghetti for years. Always used shredded cheese but I’m following your recipes today. Only exception is I added celery, onion, bell pepper and garlic to my broth water I cooked the chicken in. I also included those into the mix after draining the broth. In the oven now. Will let you know how it turned out.

    Reply
  4. Anna Mujica says

    February 28, 2014 at 7:33 am

    Looks good, my kids would definitely love this! We actually just made the switch to trying to be as close to a Paleo diet as possible, but this does give me a great starting point!

    Reply
  5. Marissa @ Life is Fantasmic says

    February 27, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    Yum, that looks delicious! I would probably have to use either penne or rotini noodles instead of spaghetti though. My hubby thinks that red sauce is the only right thing with spaghetti.

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      March 02, 2014 at 8:17 pm

      Haha... He just needs to go over to the dark side. 😉

      Reply
  6. The GO Mamas says

    February 27, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    My family loves pasta in all forms, but I have yet to try a chicken spaghetti! This recipe looks like a good start. thanks.

    Reply
  7. Marissa McKenna says

    February 27, 2014 at 2:37 am

    Yum! We have pasta at least once a week. My husband loves chicken alfredo, but the kids and I will eat anything with pasta (it's the Italian in me, I guess!).

    Reply
  8. Jennifer S. says

    February 26, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    Chicken alfredo is my kids favorite, for me, regular old spaghetti with meat sauce. Your meal looks yummy, especially with the side of garlic bread!!

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 26, 2014 at 11:12 pm

      If we are having spaghetti we always have to have a side of garlic bread. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Desiree Jackson says

    February 25, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    I love this recipe.. I am usually a chicken alfredo or spaghetti and meatballs type of girl but look forward to trying this

    Reply
  10. Coffee Matters says

    February 25, 2014 at 3:27 am

    We love chicken spaghetti at our house! Your recipe looks delicious , I have never shredded my chicken for it though, I really like that idea.

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 26, 2014 at 11:05 pm

      I don't know why I started shredding the chicken but we like it that way. If you have a chopper it makes quick work of it.

      Reply
  11. Anna says

    February 25, 2014 at 3:12 am

    This looks like the perfect comfort food recipe! Yum!

    Reply
  12. Vivian Peppers says

    February 24, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    MY favorite dish is blackened chicken pasta alfredo. However, I'm a big fan of any kind of pasta (except penne for some odd reason, lol). Anyway, I may make this dish sometime this week. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  13. pam russo says

    February 24, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    I never made this specific recipe but it will go into my recipe box. Seems like a wonderful meal for the grandchildren! Thanks.

    Reply
  14. Tammy says

    February 24, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    Pining the recipe for sure. What can go wrong with cheese, chicken and pasta. YUMMY!!! Hubby will love this.

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 26, 2014 at 11:01 pm

      Right, 3 of my favorite things. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Jelli B. says

    February 24, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    This sounds delicious. I love easy pasta meals. My favorite quick pasta is to make spaghetti and then mix it in a bowl with minced garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, tomatoes, salt and pepper. The longer it sits at room temp, the yummier it gets. I like to prep it early on Sunday morning and then serve it for lunch after church with some grated Parmesan cheese.

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 24, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      That sounds delicious Jelli. 🙂

      Reply
  16. Samantha Cummings says

    February 24, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    Ah - this sounds soooo good! My favorite spaghetti dish is just regular spaghetti with tomato sauce, but I love putting it in a casserole dish and tossing some cheese and garlic on top and letting it bake for about 10 minutes. Really good and easy.

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 24, 2014 at 3:28 pm

      I have never tried baking regular spaghetti with cheese and garlic... umm so trying that! I love regular spaghetti too. I love spaghetti just as a whole. haha!

      Reply
  17. Robyn-coolestmommy R says

    February 24, 2014 at 2:00 am

    Anything involving velveeta and rotel HAS to be delicious. Can't wait to try it out.

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 24, 2014 at 3:27 pm

      I know right? haha

      Reply
  18. Lindsay Swoboda says

    February 23, 2014 at 5:59 am

    This looks delish and easy, but I would make a few adjustments with veg and wheat pasta too. We're on the super-health kick this year, haha, I hope it sticks! But I'd like to find healthy and fast recipes too!

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 24, 2014 at 3:26 pm

      Awesome, you could definitely change it to fit your family. 🙂

      Reply
  19. A Day in Candiland says

    February 23, 2014 at 1:16 am

    This seems like an easy recipe to whip up and I love some of the comments about adding some veggies.

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 24, 2014 at 3:25 pm

      I don't ever add veggies but you definitely could. I might try it sometime. 🙂

      Reply
  20. Melissa Coleman says

    February 22, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    Jeanie, I haven't tried it with wheat pasta but if you are use to eating wheat noodles I bet it would taste just fine. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Jen S. says

    February 20, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    YUM...My kids ask for spaghetti every night. They love to twirl. This looks great

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 20, 2014 at 7:46 pm

      Yes! I use to cut my daughter's spaghetti up until she started yelling at me that I she didn't get to twirl her spaghetti. haha!

      Reply
  22. Carli Walker says

    February 19, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    Looks sooooooooooooooo yummy! Like a perfect cold night, stick to your bones kinda meal! Pinning this for the future!

    Reply
  23. Our Provident Home says

    February 19, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    I love all kinds of pasta! We will have to try this recipe. All the ingredients, if you subbed canned chicken, would be shelf stable. That's nice for a quick from the shelf meal when regular dinner plans fall through. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 20, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      I have never tried it with canned chicken but I use canned chicken for chicken salad so i'm sure it would be just as good.

      Reply
  24. Clint Butler says

    February 19, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    Chicken and spagetti are our two favorite foods. We have cooked dishes like this before. They are quick and easy after a long day at work. And its food we don't have to fight with the kids over to get them eat.

    Reply
  25. Teri says

    February 19, 2014 at 3:29 am

    Oh - I am BEYOND excited to try this!! I'm allergic to ingredients in marinara. For the past 16 years I've tortured my husband with pasta, and I never buy or make sauce for it! My kids eat buttered noodles and parmesan with grilled chicken in it (a la Noodles and Co.). This cheese sauce sounds incredible, though!

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 19, 2014 at 4:18 am

      I bet they would really like this then. 🙂

      Reply
  26. Neva Fels says

    February 19, 2014 at 2:32 am

    I like the different colors and textures of the Rotel, chicken and spaghetti. I'm looking forward to trying it.

    Reply
  27. Tatyana Gray says

    February 19, 2014 at 1:37 am

    Looks delicious! I've never baked spaghetti before, but this dish is definitely worth a try. What other cheese besides Velveeta would you recommend?

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 19, 2014 at 4:17 am

      You could definitely use shredded cheddar, probably like 2 cups for this recipe.

      Reply
  28. Glenda says

    February 19, 2014 at 12:58 am

    Wow this looks so easy and since my son loves both Chicken and Spaghetti I am going to have to make it. Plus it would be great to have at the Networking Meetings I host as they are Pot Luck and children are allowed and I am sure they would like this.

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 20, 2014 at 7:42 pm

      This recipe would definitely be good for pot lucks because you can make so much of it for fairly inexpensive and it's super yummy so it wouldn't be one of those dishes everyone passes up. 😉

      Reply
  29. Carly says

    February 18, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    This looks amazing!

    Reply
  30. Mama.Mommy.Mom. says

    February 18, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    I think with the cheese, this might be a way I can get my kids to eat some chicken! They love cheesy pasta.

    Reply
  31. Jennifer says

    February 18, 2014 at 5:06 am

    Chicken Spaghetti is one of my favorites!!

    Reply
  32. Casey Elizabeth says

    February 17, 2014 at 11:38 pm

    This looks amazing! I've never made chicken spaghetti before but I'm definitely going to now!

    Reply
  33. Laura MyNewestAddiction says

    February 17, 2014 at 11:19 pm

    Yummy! I haven't had chicken spaghetti in a long time! thanks for the recipe

    Reply
  34. Maria G says

    February 17, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    This looks so good and easy! Going to have to try it soon 🙂

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 18, 2014 at 2:34 pm

      It is really easy, just a little bit of prep work and then you can throw it in the oven and get something else done while its cooking. 🙂

      Reply
  35. Laura Toeniskoetter says

    February 17, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    My mom makes this all the time!

    Reply
  36. Sarah, How My World Runs says

    February 17, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    I use pretty much the same recipe but sometimes add frozen green peas to get an extra veggie in there. 🙂

    Reply
    • Melissa Coleman says

      February 17, 2014 at 4:03 pm

      I have never tried it with peas but I imagine it's great and a good way to sneak in some veggies too if you have picky eaters. Luckily my daughter loves veggies, thank goodness. 🙂

      Reply

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