Canned Chicken Pasta

Name: Canned Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, diced; 1 green pepper, diced; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1 cup chicken broth (✅ ); 2 cups plain full-fat Greek yogurt; 1 ounce Hidden Valley Ranch Dry dressing; 2 12.5 ounce canned white chunk chicken (✅ ); 8 ounce shredded sharp cheddar, divided (✅ ); 8 ounce gluten-free spaghetti, cooked per box instructions

Our canned chicken pasta recipe is sure to become a family favorite. A 30-minute meal packed with chicken, gluten-free pasta, and lots of cheese. A kid-favorite.

If you’re like us, you desire healthy, quick dinner recipes. We like using canned foods to save time and knowing we are doing good by our family too.

Similar to Canned Tuna Pasta, Canned Chicken Quesadilla and Canned Corn Salad, this cheesy chicken pasta comes highly recommended!

spoon scooping into dish of cheesy pasta — Post was updated February 2023

Cheesy Chicken Pasta

This chicken spaghetti recipe is quick, easy and tastes amazing! It is a kid favorite that will be requested over and over.

If we knew it was going to be such a hit, we would have started making it sooner.

Not only do we feature this pasta with canned chicken at dinner during the week, but it makes a great thermos meal for the kids to pack for school lunch.

For more thermos meals, check out Creamy Pasta Recipe With Ground Beef, Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Soup, Gluten Free Chicken Enchiladas and Baked Spaghetti Cups.

To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card. Enjoy!

Equipment

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup chicken broth ✅
2 cups plain full-fat Greek yogurt
1 ounce Hidden Valley Ranch Dry dressing
2 12.5 ounce canned white chunk chicken ✅
8 ounce shredded sharp cheddar, divided ✅
8 ounce gluten-free spaghetti, cooked per box instructions

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

diced onion, bell pepper and garlic in saute pan

canned chicken, ranch seasoning, greek yogurt added to skillet

How To Make

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Sauté onions and peppers

Add the olive oil to a large oven-safe skillet. Sauté the onion and green peppers over medium-high heat until the onions are translucent. Turn the heat to low. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Blend in the rest of the ingredients

Stir in the chicken broth, Greek yogurt, dry ranch dressing packet, canned chicken and cheese.

Add the pasta

Using tongs, blend sauce with cooked pasta. Place spaghetti mixture into a pan coated with non-stick cooking spray. Top with remaining shredded cheese.

Bake

Bake 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden brown.

gluten free spaghetti added to creamy sauce in pan

creamy chicken pasta stirred in pan with tongs

Serving Suggestions

With the pasta, chicken and vegetables, this chicken pasta with cheese can be served as a complete meal. It is one of the top reasons it has become a go-to recipe.

You can also choose to serve with a side salad, Caramelized Butternut Squash, Zucchini Crisps, or Easy Sauteed Apples.
Kids also love to see a colorful Fruit Salad With Watermelon as a side option.
For a heartier side, consider pairing this chicken pasta with Gluten Free Artisan Bread, Gluten Free Dinner Rolls, or Jasmine Rice (Instant Pot).
To add more vegetables to the table, pair with Roasted Broccoli and Carrots, Air Fried Cauliflower, Air Fry Green Beans or How To Steam Broccoli in Microwave.

If looking to serve dessert after dinner, consider making homemade Gluten Free Rice Krispy Treats, Dairy Free Brownies, Dairy Free Sugar Cookies Recipe, Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake Recipe or Oreo Dip.

Storing Canned Chicken Pasta

This cheesy pasta recipe can be stored in the fridge in a covered container for up to 3 days.

We don’t recommend freezing this dish as the cream sauce often separates when thawed and reheated. It is best when made fresh.

Reheating Instructions

Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring frequently. You could also reheat in a skillet over low heat while stirring frequently until hot.

When serving leftovers, top with additional cheese before serving to make the dish extra cheesy and appetizing.

creamy chicken pasta topped with shredded cheese

large spoon scooping into pan of cheesy pasta

Substitutions

Use condensed cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup rather than Greek yogurt.
Blend in cream cheese for extra creaminess.
Blend in a can of diced tomatoes making a chicken spaghetti recipe with Rotel style flavor.
Add a can of drained mixed vegetables.
Add a touch of spice with a can of diced green chilies or red pepper flakes.
Add crunch on top by sprinkling gluten-free crushed crackers or French-fried onions.

Tips

Chop a large onion rather than a small onion. Chop 2 peppers rather than one. Place the extras in separate Ziplock bags and freeze for use in later recipes, saving time!
Reducing the temperature helps prevent the yogurt from curdling.
Using full-fat yogurt also helps along with adding a creamy texture to the dish.
Keep canned chicken in your pantry for grab-and-go meals.

scoop of cheesy pasta removed from skillet

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make ahead?

Yes! This dish can be assembled and then stored in the fridge overnight. The next day, you can preheat the oven and bake according to the directions. You may need to add an additional 5 minutes to the cooking time if placing in the oven straight from the fridge. The casserole should be served once the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Can you use other pasta?

Absolutely. You can swap the spaghetti noodles with ziti, rotini, elbows, bowtie or any other pasta shape you have on hand.

Do you have to use canned chicken?

The canned chicken can be swapped with leftover rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken. You could also boil fresh chicken and then shred or chop to add to the dish.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Take a peek at the onions while they are cooking. Once they start to turn from white to clear, it is time to add the garlic.
Garlic tends to burn quickly, which is why it is important to turn the heat to low. You will know the garlic is cooked once the aroma of garlic fills the kitchen.
Gluten-free pasta may take longer to cook than wheat-based pasta. Always read the side or back of the box for the cooking instructions. You can toss the pasta in 1 Tablespoon of canola or olive oil once cooked to keep the noodles from sticking together.

More Healthy Chicken Recipes

Chicken Skewers
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
Crockpot Mexican Quinoa Chicken Casserole
Baked Chicken Thighs
Air Fry Boneless Chicken Thighs
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Chicken and Rice (Crockpot)
Chicken Cutlet Sandwich

Other Cheesy Pasta Recipes

Creamy Pasta Recipe With Ground Beef
No Boil Pasta Bake
Instant Pot Chili Mac
Low Sodium Mac and Cheese
No Boil Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Sausage Mac and Cheese
Easy Cheesy Veggie Pasta
Baked Chicken Ziti Casserole
Gluten-Free Baked Ziti

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

large spoon in skillet of cheesy chicken pasta

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