Description
Spicy Southern Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole fills the table with warmth and bold flavor. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and a gentle kick make it unforgettable.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Dairy and Creamy Components:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup sliced jalapenos
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Warm your oven to precisely 350°F, preparing a comfortable cooking environment.
- Boil 8 oz of spaghetti in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then thoroughly drain the pasta.
- Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine 2 cups shredded chicken with 1 can cream of chicken soup, creating a smooth base.
- Fold 1 cup sour cream into the chicken mixture, ensuring a creamy consistency throughout.
- Incorporate 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, blending it evenly with your other ingredients.
- Add ½ cup diced green bell pepper and ½ cup diced onion to introduce fresh vegetable texture.
- Sprinkle ½ cup sliced jalapenos for a spicy kick that will awaken your taste buds.
- Season the mixture with 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, salt, and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Gently mix the cooked spaghetti into your creamy chicken blend, ensuring every strand gets coated.
- Transfer the entire mixture into a generously greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated 350°F oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden and edges bubble appetizingly.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker, more convenient preparation that saves time in the kitchen.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer jalapeños to suit your heat tolerance.
- For a lighter version, swap full-fat ingredients with low-fat alternatives like Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cheese.
- Make ahead and refrigerate the casserole before baking, which can actually enhance the flavors and make weeknight dinner prep easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 353 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 625 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg