Grilled Chicken Spaghetti Recipe with Smoky Garlic Sauce

Grilled Chicken Spaghetti with a homemade red sauce is packed with vegetables for a hearty, family-friendly dinner. The smoky flavor from grilled chicken brightens the dish, and the chicken can be cooked ahead to make weeknight meals easier.

Plate of spaghetti topped with sliced chicken.

This grilled chicken spaghetti is a delicious way to refresh a tired dinner routine. Serve it with a simple salad and garlic bread or biscuits for a complete meal.

Ingredients Needed

For the Chicken

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salted butter, melted
  • Italian rub

For the Spaghetti

  • Spaghetti (cooked according to package directions)
  • Olive oil
  • Bell peppers, sliced
  • Onion, diced
  • Carrot, shredded
  • Tomato sauce
  • Salted butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated garlic
  • Dried basil
  • Dried thyme
  • Dried oregano
  • Black pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh basil (optional garnish)

Step-By-Step Directions

Grill the Chicken

Collage of chicken breasts: injecting with butter, with rub, grilling.

  1. Prepare a grill set to about 300°F (we used a pellet grill).
  2. Pat the chicken breasts dry. Melt the butter, inject or brush it into and over the chicken, then coat with Italian rub.
  3. Place the chicken on the grill and cook with the lid closed.
  4. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, checking with a digital meat thermometer.
  5. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for about 5 minutes, then thinly slice. Reserve half of the cooked chicken for another meal if desired.

Prepare the Pasta and Sauce

  1. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions, then drain.
  2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced bell peppers, diced onion and shredded carrot. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables soften.
  3. Stir in the tomato sauce, butter, brown sugar, granulated garlic, dried basil, dried thyme, dried oregano, kosher salt and black pepper.
  4. Bring the sauce to heat through, then reduce to a simmer and keep warm for a few minutes to let the flavors meld.
  5. Toss the sauce with the cooked spaghetti so the pasta is well coated.

Serve

Plate of grilled chicken spaghetti, bowl of biscuits, sliced chicken on the side.

Place sliced grilled chicken over the sauced spaghetti and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately with a side salad and garlic bread or biscuits for a complete family meal.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the chicken stored separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, warm the pasta and sliced chicken together in a skillet over medium heat with a few tablespoons of water. Stir until heated through.

Closeup of plate of chicken spaghetti.

If you need a quick, satisfying dinner, try this Grilled Chicken Spaghetti. The vegetable-rich red sauce complements the grilled chicken and makes a comforting, flavorful meal that adapts well to meal prep.

If you enjoy this recipe, please leave a comment and a review.

Plate of spaghetti with red sauce, topped with sliced chicken.

Grilled Chicken Spaghetti

Grilled Chicken Spaghetti with homemade red sauce is filled with vegetables for a hearty meal that is sure to be a family-pleasing dinner. The grilled chicken adds great flavor and can be cooked ahead for busy nights.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time1 hr
Total Time1 hr 10 mins
Course: Chicken
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4
Calories: 897 kcal

Ingredients

For the chicken

  • 2½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • ⅓ cup Italian rub

For the spaghetti

  • 12 ounces spaghetti, cooked
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup sliced bell peppers
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 carrot, shredded
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare a grill to 300°F. Melt butter and inject or brush it into the chicken breasts; coat with Italian rub.
  2. Grill the chicken with the lid closed until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly. Set half aside if desired.
  3. Cook the pasta according to package directions and drain.
  4. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté peppers, onion and carrot over medium heat until softened.
  5. Stir in tomato sauce, butter, brown sugar, granulated garlic, dried basil, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer briefly to meld flavors.
  6. Toss the sauce with the cooked spaghetti, plate, top with sliced grilled chicken and garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat pasta and sliced chicken together in a skillet over medium heat with a few tablespoons of water, stirring until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 897 kcal | Carbohydrates: 46 g | Protein: 95 g | Fat: 36 g | Saturated Fat: 14 g | Sodium: 1042 mg | Fiber: 5 g | Sugar: 12 g