Spicy Southern Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
A flavorful and hearty Spicy Southern Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole featuring tender chicken breasts, al dente spaghetti, sharp cheddar cheese, and a blend of Southern spices. This comforting casserole is baked to bubbly, golden perfection and topped with fresh green onions for a deliciously spicy twist on a classic favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking, Boiling
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 8 oz spaghetti
Cheese and Vegetables
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup fresh bell peppers, chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
Other Ingredients
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a large casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Chicken: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the chicken breasts for about 6-7 minutes per side until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from heat and shred the chicken once cooled slightly.
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, cooked spaghetti, cream of chicken soup, chopped bell peppers, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of chicken soup with a homemade white sauce for a fresher taste.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity according to your preferred spice level.
- Shredded rotisserie chicken can be used to save prep time.
- For a lower fat option, use reduced-fat cheese and low-fat cream of chicken soup.
- To make this dish gluten free, substitute regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Spicy chicken casserole, cheesy spaghetti bake, Southern chicken spaghetti, creamy chicken casserole, easy family dinner
