Description
Savor the cozy, cheesy goodness of this Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. Tender chicken, flavorful spices, and a rich, creamy sauce come together with pasta and melted cheese for a dish that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests. Quick to prep and fully customizable, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), cooked and shredded
- 8 oz spaghetti, broken in half
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped fresh bell peppers (red, yellow, or a mix)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your heat preference)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a large casserole dish.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken breasts until golden and fully cooked, about 6–7 minutes per side. Remove from heat and shred into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente, roughly 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Mix the Casserole: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked spaghetti, cream of chicken soup, chopped bell peppers, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Assemble the Dish: Transfer the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with sliced green onions and serve warm.
Notes
- Make it veggie-packed: Add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Change up the pasta: Penne, rotini, or even macaroni can be used instead of spaghetti.
- Adjust the spice: Reduce or increase cayenne pepper based on your preferred heat level.
- Cheese alternatives: Try a blend of cheddar and mozzarella for extra gooeyness.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before and bake just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg