One pan meals and homemade on a weeknight go hand in hand. Some one pan meals are very “set it and forget it” and others have more active time as you layer in the flavor. This particular recipe is a little bit of both. You have active time at the start and then active time at the end, but you get to walk away for a bit of time in the middle while the pasta gets to cook in the sauce as the sauce comes together. Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is one of those truly all inclusive meals. You get your protein, carbs, veggies and sauce all in this one pan.
For this recipe you will need to have a very large pan – often called an Everyday Pan – it is a wide (12 inches will do but 14 inches is better) pan that is deeper than a frying pan (at least 2 inches but 4 is better) and you need it to have a lid! I actually have two pans like this (because I use them several times a week), that I love. One is by Ninja Foodi Kitchen 5-quart Pan. The other is from LivWell DiamondClad 14-inch pan. There are lots of other brands that have this large style of pan, these are just the two that I have experience with and really enjoy.
I know at least a few people gasped a little when they read the part of the recipe that tells you to break the spaghetti into thirds. I know some say this is a big no-no – and that maybe true for some recipes. For this one, if you do not break the pasta it will clump up and not cook evenly. You will also have a heck of time getting it to submerge into the broth so that it cooks at all. If you can’t bring yourself to break the pasta – I would suggest using a short pasta in it’s place. Like a shell or elbow. You will have to adjust the cooking time some to get it too cook through.
Another way you could change this recipe up a little is to use a different variety of cheese. I used a medium cheddar and it turned out great. You could go for a sharp white cheddar for a punch of flavor. Or you could go a little more gourmet and use a smoked gouda. Just be sure that you have a good shred (even a fine shred) so that it is able to melt into the sauce easily.
Now Let’s Get Cookin’!
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ lb Tenderloin cut in 1-inch chunks
- 4 tbsp Oil divided
- 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning See Recipe Below, divided
- 1 Red Bell Pepper diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper diced
- ½ White Onion diced
- 1 tbsp Minced Garlic
- 4 tbsp Butter
- 4 tbsp Flour
- 1 15oz can Petite Diced Tomato
- 1½ qt Chicken Broth
- 1 lb Spaghetti broken into thirds
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Season chicken chunks with half of the Italian Seasoning.
- In a large saute pan over medium high heat, add half of the oil. Saute chicken until you no long see pink (do not cook all the way through at this stage.) Push chicken to one side of pan and reduce heat to medium.
- Add remaining oil to pan along with bell peppers, onions and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes then push to side with chicken.
- Add butter to pan and let melt. Whisk in flour and let cook for 3 minutes. Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes and remaining Italian seasoning. Stir vegetables and chicken into the liquid.
- Add broken pasta to pan and work it around until the pasta is completely submerged. (add some water or more broth if you need to). Cover pan with lid and let cook for 20 minutes.
- Remove lid and stir in heavy cream. Once fully incorporated, add in cheese. Stir until melted in. Let cook another 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
I love to link up my posts to lots of blogs around the internet – check out this Ultimate Handy Linky Party List to find some of the places I share to!
Estelle Forrest self-published this cookbook after a lot of playing around in the kitchen. You can purchase your own copy here:
AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS
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This looks and sounds amazing!
Mmm this looks like a wonderful comfort dish that I really need to try! Thanks for joining in on Home Matters Linky Party! I will be featuring your post this week! #HomeMattersParty xx
Thank you so much!
Your Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti looks delicious, I just love Chicken Spaghetti! I am featuring your post on Full Plate Thursday 693 this week and thanks so much for sharing it with us. Have a fantastic Mothers Day!
Miz Helen
Thank you so much