Irresistible Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Introduction
Comfort food gets a spicy Southern twist in this irresistible Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with bold flavors, this dish is a surefire hit for family dinners or casual gatherings. The perfect harmony of seasoned chicken, tangy tomatoes, tender spaghetti, and a touch of heat ensures every bite is both comforting and exciting.
Deliciously Unique Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
This casserole stands out with its irresistible blend of creamy cheese sauce, zesty tomatoes, and a hint of Southern-style spiciness. The use of shredded chicken lets the sauce cling to every strand of spaghetti, while diced peppers and spices create depth and warmth without overpowering the dish. It’s a meal that’s easy to prepare yet impressive enough for special occasions, guaranteed to become part of your go-to recipe rotation.
Preparing the Perfect Chicken and Sauce
For the most flavor, start with well-seasoned, cooked chicken—rotisserie or poached breasts work perfectly. Combine the chicken with a creamy base made from cream soup, tangy diced tomatoes and green chilies, and plenty of shredded cheese. A light touch of cayenne or hot sauce allows you to tailor the spice level to your liking, making this casserole as mild or bold as you prefer.
Assembling Your Spicy Southern Casserole
After preparing your ingredients, toss the cooked spaghetti with the creamy chicken mixture to coat every noodle. Layer the mixture in a casserole dish, top generously with shredded cheese, and bake until bubbly and golden. Letting the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving lets the flavors meld and makes slicing easy.
Serving Suggestions for a Crowd-Pleasing Spicy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
For a full Southern experience, serve slices of this casserole with a crisp green salad, garlicky Texas toast, or roasted vegetables. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or sliced jalapeños to add color and extra kick. It’s a filling, one-pan meal perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as delicious leftovers.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe serves approximately 8 people. Each serving, depending on cheese and soup choices, contains around 420-480 calories. It’s a hearty main course—balanced by protein, carbs, and veggies—great for those who like their comfort food with a little extra heat.
Deliciously Unique Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole (Recap)
Bringing together creamy textures, bold flavors, and a touch of spice, this Southern casserole is the ultimate comfort meal. Its simplicity, versatility, and crowd-pleasing nature make it perfect for busy weeknights and special weekends alike.
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and bell peppers; sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, cream of chicken soup, diced tomatoes with green chilies (with juice), sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, and optional hot sauce. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Toss cooked spaghetti with the creamy chicken mixture until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Spread mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle additional shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Let rest 5-10 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley or sliced jalapeños and serving.
Weekly Meal Planning
This satisfying casserole is a meal-prep winner! Save and schedule this recipe to streamline your week—CookifyAI will help you organize and consolidate your shopping list, aligning all your planned meals for maximum efficiency.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across all scheduled recipes
- Creates smart shopping lists sorted by grocery section
- Prevents duplicate purchases—no wasted food, no missing items
- Simplifies prep and planning for effortless weeknight dinners
Pro tip: When planning multiple meals, add your recipes to the schedule to see overlapping ingredients, like chicken or peppers, so you buy just what you need—saving money and time.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Enjoy the bold, comforting goodness of this Irresistible Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole—and let smart meal planning make your week deliciously easy!