I can polish off a bag of Doritos with a clean conscience, yet I refuse to cook with preservative-laden canned soups and mixes.
Any other hypocritical eaters out there?
While I’ve come to terms with junk ingredients living in my junk food, I am not so lenient about what’s in my dinner.
One dish that’s notorious for preservative-laden ingredients is Chicken Spaghetti! I once asked a lady for her famous recipe but tossed it once I discovered it contained three different types of canned soup, margarine and half a block of Velveeta!
If you, too, have been looking for a healthier way to enjoy this family favorite, here’s my basic recipe. I use high-fiber, high-protein pasta and make my own sauce with chicken broth and milk. Feel free to stir in Rotel or even frozen, thawed broccoli or asparagus before baking.
Better-For-You Chicken Spaghetti
You will need:
12 ounce box spaghetti (I use Ronzoni Smart Taste)
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1/4 cup real, unsalted butter
1 small onion, diced or thin-sliced (about 1 cup)
1 stalk celery, small-diced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar
To Prepare:
Cook spaghetti al-dente according to box instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat and add onion and celery. Saute, stirring occasionally until veggies are translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Sprinkle with flour and stir until fully incorporated. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Whisk in chicken broth, smoothing out any flour lumps. Whisk in milk, salt and pepper and bring to a boil, stirring frequently to avoid lumps. Boil one minute until thickened.
Add chicken and stir well.
Then add spaghetti and toss until all of the noodles are coated in sauce. Add tomatoes or veggies if desired.
Pour into 13×9 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until bubbly. Serve hot.
- 12 ounce box spaghetti
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup real, unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced or thin-sliced (about 1 cup)
- 1 stalk celery, small-diced
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1-1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar
- Cook spaghetti al-dente according to box instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat and add onion and celery.
- Saute, stirring occasionally until veggies are translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sprinkle with flour and stir until fully incorporated. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Whisk in chicken broth, smoothing out any flour lumps. Whisk in milk, salt and pepper and bring to a boil, stirring frequently to avoid lumps.
- Boil one minute until thickened.
- Add chicken and stir well.
- Then add spaghetti and toss until all of the noodles are coated in sauce.
- Add tomatoes or veggies if desired.
- Pour into 13×9 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
- Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until bubbly. Serve hot.
Thank you all for letting me share today. Here’s to dinner done better!
For more recipes, Doritos confessions and adventures in fixer-upper home ownership, visit me at Keeping Up With Mrs. Smith.
While you make your menu plan for the week – check out these tips on how to save money on groceries!
Amanda Smith says
This sounds great! I am pining this for later. Yum!
Libby says
This sounds just perfect: good for you, quick, and sure to please! Thanks, I will print out now…
Leilani says
Thanks again for letting me share! Have a great weekend.
Jennie @ The Diary of a Real housewife says
I have always wanted to try this! I am hosting a giveaway on my page this week (posted Monday) and I would love if you would stop by and check it out!
-Jennie
http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com/
Alan says
Can i substitute butter with anything else, like coconut oil?
Shilpa Malhotra says
Mmmmmm…..yum. This looks totally amazing. I’m just starring at the screen looking at how delicious they look.
Gloria says
Are you able to post printer friendly options for your recipes?