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Tender chicken and pasta cooked in a rich tomato sauce then topped off with Parmesan cheese come together in a skillet in less than 45 minutes. This simple, quick, one-pot recipe is a new twist on an old favorite that’s totally delicious!
Honestly, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like pasta. Of course, that includes me, but these days I’m really trying to watch the number of carbs I eat and that puts me in a real quandary when it comes to enjoying a bowl of noodles. I need to balance eating what I love while eating healthy. It’s a delicate dance but one that can be done.
One of my go-to recipes that accomplish both of those eating goals is my Skillet Chicken Spaghetti. It’s a great combination of chicken with just the right amount of pasta for a healthy balanced recipe.
This recipe is not only crazy good, but it’s also super easy to prepare in a skillet on the stovetop. I love cooking in my cast iron skillet since it conducts heat beautifully which makes searing easy and clean up is a breeze.
More Family Favorite Skillet Recipes:
- Southern Fried Corn
- Skillet Green Beans
- Garlic Parmesan Skillet Rolls
- Skillet Cinnamon Apples
- Skillet Beef Stew
Ingredients For Skillet Chicken Spaghetti
- Chicken – I like to use thighs
- Olive Oil
- Dried Herbs – I use Thyme and Oregano
- Spaghetti
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Tomato Paste
- Garlic
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Sugar
- Salt and Pepper
- Parmesan Cheese
This recipe is quick and easy to whip up. After cooking the spaghetti, everything is made in the cast iron skillet. That’s a winning cooking strategy in my book!
How To Make This Recipe:
- First, sprinkle your chicken chunks with salt, pepper and, herbs. Sear it in your cast iron skillet with a little olive oil. Once done, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
- Next, start cooking your pasta. While the water starts to boil, make your sauce. Once the pasta is cooked to al dente, put it into your sauce and slightly mix.
- Nestle in your chicken and sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese. Put the skillet in the oven, set to broil. Set the timer for 2 minutes. Check it after about 1 ½ minute and when the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, you are done!
Since we’re keeping things simple, I always serve this yummy recipe right out of the skillet, family-style. And, to continue with our eating balanced theme, I serve it with a fresh green salad tossed in a homemade vinaigrette.
Can Chicken Spaghetti Be Make Ahead Of Time?
You bet! You can make it then store it covered in the fridge until you are ready to reheat it. You can also transfer it to a baking dish and store, covered in the refrigerator for up to three days then reheat in the oven.
Is Skillet Chicken Spaghetti Freezer-Friendly?
Absolutely. To freeze, make the recipe according to the directions then transfer to a freezer-safe casserole dish and freeze for up to 3 months.
More One-Pot Recipes You’ll Love…
- Herb Butter Roast Chicken And Potatoes
- Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
- Skillet Beef Stew
- Creamy White Chicken Chili
- Easy One-Pot Lasagna Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ½ pound spaghetti (about ½ box)
Sauce
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon concentrated tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic – minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat oven to broil.
- In a cast iron or heavy skillet, heat olive oil. Sprinkle chicken with thyme, oregano, salt and pepper. Place in hot skillet and cook on both sides until done. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Heat water in a large pot. Cook pasta according to package direction until al dente, being careful not to over cook.
- Heat skillet on low temperature. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for additional minute. Gently pour in crushed tomatoes and stir to incorporate cooked ingredients. Add salt, pepper and sugar and cook for 5 minutes. Add cooked spaghetti and gently stir it into the sauce. Add chicken chunks into skillet, nestling into spaghetti. Sprinkle cheese over spaghetti and chicken and place on rack in oven.
- Broil chicken spaghetti until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling around edges of skillet.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with addition cheese and parsley if desired.
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Do you drain the can of crushed tomatoes?
Nope, just use right from the can.
~Donya
Love this chicken dish. I cook it to feed a large group of students. Your slide and written presentation is perfect. I serve it with corn on the cob. Corn on the cob is an inexpensive veggie in the Philippines.
Your dreaming that this will serve 6 unless they are children
Hey there Peggy!
Thank you for your interest in this recipe, I think you’re really going to love it! If you’re looking to feed a larger group of people, you can absolutely double the recipe and make it in two skillets if you’re worried about the portions. This skillet baked spaghetti is truly comfort food at it’s finest, plus it’s super simple to make for a weeknight meal. Let me know how everything turns out if you give it a try, I hope you enjoy the recipe!
~Donya
When recipes call for Parmesan cheese, how do you know if they are referring to the can or deli type.
Hey Patsy. You can use either one. Enjoy the recipe.
~Donya
Pasta Heaven!!!
Am totally loving that you put sugar in your sauce recipe! My dad was famous (in our family) for his meatballs and spaghetti. He always put some sugar in his sauce to “cut the sharp” tomato taste. Can’t wait to try your one pot chicken spaghetti.
Right on, Sharon! Thank you for stopping by to share. Yes, tomatoes in my opinion need a bit of sugar to cut through all the acid. I hope you’ll let me know how your dish turns out.
XO,
~Donya