Chaka Khan -- I'm the Next 'X-Factor' Judge ... If they Call Me Back

Who will be the next judge on "X-Factor"? Britney Spears ... Demi Lovato ... Miley Cyrus ... Chaka Khan ... er, what?

That's right ... sources close to the Queen of Funk tell TMZ ... Chaka is throwing her hat in the ring to snag one of two vacant spots on Simon Cowell's hit talent show.

We're told Chaka -- who has 10 Grammy awards -- is dying to be considered for the lucrative gig and instructed her people to reach out to producers of the show, claiming to be perfect for the part ... toting her 40 plus years of experience in the biz.

Don't get too excited funk fans ... there's no word on whether she's actually been called back.