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One Pot Chicken Spaghetti is a simple, quick and easy dinner idea that will satisfy even the pickiest critics. Creamy, cheesy pasta, tomato sauce and spaghetti all cooked in one pan for easy clean up!

I love to serve this Spaghetti with Chicken recipe with a simple side salad and some Garlic Bread or Homemade Garlic Breadsticks.

An overhead shot of One Pot Chicken Spaghetti topped with Parmesan cheese
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Why I Love This Recipe

One Pot Meals are often a go-to for busy weeknight because they are super easy and uncomplicated. My family loves spaghetti – it’s one of our favorite comfort foods – but sometimes I want to change it up from the same old spaghetti sauce and meatballs. This One Pot Chicken Spaghetti recipe is perfectly simple and just a little different.

This recipe is a family favorite – kids love it, and grown ups love how easy it is because it cooks up quickly on the stovetop, no need to bake.

Ingredients For Chicken Spaghetti

  • Chicken – I use about 1 pound (2 large breasts) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut them up into 1-2 inch chunks.
  • Garlic and onions – Sauteed with the chicken for added flavor.
  • Chicken broth – You can also use water, but the broth will give the dish a flavor boost. I always select low sodium.
  • Spaghetti noodles – Uncooked (about half of a regular box.
  • Spices and seasonings – Italian seasoning, Bay leaves.
  • Spaghetti sauce – One regular sized jar of your favorite sauce. You can also use 24 ounces (3 cups) or a homemade marinara or other tomato sauce.
  • Parmesan cheese – Fresh grated or shredded, off the block for the best taste and texture.
  • Garnish – Fresh minced parsley or basil.
A pan of One Pot Chicken Spaghetti, with a portion lifted to be served.

How To Make One Pot Chicken Spaghetti

This is a good base recipe and can be used with a variety of meats and pastas. There are just a few simple steps.

  1. Saute the meat. Start by sauteing some onion in olive oil over medium heat. After a few minutes they will begin to soften and you can add the chicken. Cook just enough to get some color on all sides of the chicken and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Cook. Then add the sauce, broth, dry pasta, and seasonings and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn down the heat to low and simmer for about 17-20 minutes, stirring at least once while the pasta is cooking to ensure that it doesn’t stick together or to the bottom of the pan. You don’t need to cover it – you want the liquid to reduce so it forms a yummy sauce.
  3. Add the shredded cheese. Once the pasta is fully cooked and al dente (tender), add the Parmesan cheese. The added cheese creates a luscious sauce as it combines with the thickened liquid.
  4. Garnish and serve. For serving, I like to garnish each bowl with some fresh Parmesan cheese and either parsley or basil.
6 photo collage depicting how to make one pot chicken spaghetti.
A plate of cheesy chicken spaghetti

Variations

  • Add some veggies – Add 2 cups of chopped broccoli or sliced mushrooms with the liquid.
  • Ground beef – If you prefer to use ground beef or ground chicken or Italian sausage, you can. You’ll want to saute the meat so that it is cooked through and no longer pink. Then continue on with the rest of the steps.
  • Spicy – Add a ½ teaspoon or more of red pepper flakes to the chicken.
  • Cheese – Get creative with the cheese on top! If you aren’t partial to fresh Parmesan, you can stir in the canned grated stuff, or use fresh Mozzarella, Jack, or Cheddar cheese to change things up. For even creamier pasta, add a couple of ounces of softened cream cheese.
  • Pasta – Instead of spaghetti, you can use penne, rigatoni, or farfalle.

Storage Tips

How to Store Leftovers

Storage: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a small pot on the stove.

Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this finished dish because the pasta gets mushy upon reheating.

Recipe Tips

  • Be sure to stir the pasta while it’s cooking. As the starch is released from the pasta, it can cause it to stick together or to the pan. Stirring a couple of times will help avoid this.
  • Watch your pot. If it starts to seem dry, add more broth or a little bit of water. You can always drain out extra liquid at the end if necessary.
  • In a pinch you could use rotisserie chicken and just skip the step of cooking the chicken.
One Pot Chicken Spaghetti lifted off the plate on a fork.

More Easy One Pot Meals 

One Pot Meals are fantastic time savers; not only do they require fewer dishes, but they are often completely finished in under 30 minutes!

Recipe

One Pot Chicken Spaghetti

4.54 from 15 votes
An easy one pot meal with chicken, spaghetti and a creamy tomato sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings 5 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Diced onion
  • 2 Garlic cloves minced
  • 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breasts about 2 large, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 24 ounces Spaghetti sauce
  • 1 cup Low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • 1/2 pound Uncooked spaghetti
  • 1 cup Freshly shredded Parmesan cheese or more, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh minced parsley for garnish
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Instructions
 

  • Heat Olive Oil in a 5-quart pot or skillet with high sides over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened; about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add minced garlic and diced chicken breast to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook chicken until browned on all sides, but not completely done (it will continue cooking with the sauce).
  • Add spaghetti sauce, chicken broth, water and Italian seasoning, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil.
  • Add spaghetti and use tongs to "stir" spaghetti and submerge completely in the liquid. If necessary, bring back up to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low.
  • Simmer for about 17-20 minutes, stirring at least once with the tongs to keep the pasta submerged in liquid. Cautiously add a little bit more water or chicken broth if it seems dry.
  • Remove from heat and stir in shredded Parmesan, reserving about 2 tablespoons for the garnish, if desired. It may be easier to get the cheese to melt if you stir in a little at a time.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and with more Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.

Notes

Instead of spaghetti, try penne or rotini pasta. Use roughly 2-2 ½ cups of dry pasta.

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 33gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 446mgPotassium: 531mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 185IUVitamin C: 3.3mgCalcium: 267mgIron: 1.4mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.

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4.54 from 15 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Jen Logan says:

    I never leave a comment on the recipes that I try but I had to for this one. I have to admit I was concerned on the amount of pasta sauce in the recipe thinking it was going to be too much and it would be super saucy. Thankfully I was wrong. The spaghetti soaked it right up! I have never done a one pot spaghetti recipe before but I’m glad I tried it this recipe because it was so delicious!! It is so flavourful. I don’t think I will ever just boil spaghetti in water anymore. This way tastes so much better! I highly recommend. Thanks for sharing!!

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome Jen! Thank you for taking the time to share the awesome feedback.

  2. Lauren C. says:

    I have made it, very easy and my family loved it. Making it tonight. Quick and easy

    1. Kristin says:

      Thanks for stopping by Lauren!

  3. Nancy Jones says:

    Not bad but nothing extra special, either. I wish I had used a different tomato sauce. The one I used was rather bland. You need to make sure you separate the pasta as it cooks or you’ll end up with a big glob!

  4. Becky Banks says:

    Loved this recipe! It came out perfect. Did have to cook a bit longer because I like more done noodles but just added more chicken stock. Thanks for the great dinner.

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome Becky! Thanks for the awesome feedback.

  5. Leilani says:

    I’m planning on making it for dinner but how long does it take to fully make this?

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      Hi, I’ve updated the recipe card to reflect the times that were missing. This dish takes about 35-45 minutes, including prep and cooking.

  6. Kenny says:

    I have never left a comment in 20 years of internet cooking so this is a first. Fantastic budget friendly meal for the family. For me though, too starchy. I like the idea of the sauce absorbtion so next time I will partially cook the pasta.

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      Totally understand about the starchiness, however if you partially cook the pasta first you run the risk of it being mushy.

  7. Craig says:

    I know we just had your Chicken and spaghetti the other night but for some reason I am craving it again……????.
    The simplicity and the quickness. And of course the great taste will real you in everytime….

  8. Craig says:

    Well Kristin:
    It was a hit. I will definitely be back for more delishiousiness.
    Thsnks so much for the speedy but ever so tasty chicken and spaghetti dinner.?????…….

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome Craig! Thanks for stopping by.

  9. Craig says:

    So Kristin,
    I have made your version of chicken and spaghetti, about to serve it to my family.
    It looks and the aroma is really nice.
    Stsy turned for the final test. ?

  10. Craig says:

    Kristin,
    Question: could I cook my pasta separately, and then add it to the rest of the pan. Or does it need the starch?

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      The pasta cooks in the liquid. If you wanted to cook the pasta separately, you could and just leave out the chicken broth and water. It would alter the flavor but it would still be tasty.

    2. Craig says:

      Kristin,
      Just so you know I did cook it in the same pot.
      And I was delicious. If I had cook it separately it would have been very Blan…..

  11. Craig says:

    Kristin,
    I am making this deliciousness tonight for supper. I really hope it is as good as you say. As my family isn’t that much of a pasta family.Myself. I will let you know…..

  12. Mimies says:

    This was so easy to make. I omitted some of the ingredients because the hubby is a picky eater and it still tasted awesome. I will be making this again.

  13. Donna says:

    Good! Will re-do!

  14. Fidela García says:

    I made this recipe and it was so easy, full of flavor and now is one of my husband’s favorite dish.

    THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH FOR SHARING ?

    1. Kristin says:

      You’re so welcome Fidela! thank you so much for stopping by!

  15. Brandy says:

    How to I keep my noodles from sticking?

    1. Kristin says:

      Stir them a few time while cooking. That should help. Also the temperature may be too high.

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