Description
Creamy cheesy chicken spaghetti emerges as a comforting Texan casserole packed with flavor. Southern kitchens love this hearty one-dish meal that brings families together with simple, satisfying ingredients you’ll savor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Rotel), undrained
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain and reserve for later assembly.
- Vegetable Foundation: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions, green bell peppers, and garlic until softened and fragrant, releasing their vibrant flavors.
- Sauce Fusion: Blend cream of chicken soup, fire-roasted tomatoes with green chilies, cheddar cheese, chicken broth, sour cream, and spices (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne) into a harmonious, creamy sauce. Stir until cheese melts completely and ingredients integrate seamlessly.
- Protein and Pasta Integration: Introduce shredded chicken and cooked spaghetti into the sauce. Toss thoroughly to ensure every strand is lavishly coated with the rich, velvety mixture.
- Baking Preparation: Transfer the combined mixture into a greased baking dish. Distribute remaining cheddar cheese across the top, creating an enticing golden layer.
- Oven Transformation: Bake at 350°F until cheese melts into a bubbly, golden-brown crust with crispy edges, typically 25-30 minutes.
- Serving Finalization: Allow casserole to rest briefly, letting flavors meld and sauce slightly thicken. Optional herb garnish can enhance visual appeal and freshness.
Notes
Select High-Quality Protein: Choose tender, well-cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor and easier shredding, ensuring meat remains juicy and doesn’t dry out during baking.
Control Pasta Texture: Cook spaghetti just shy of package instructions to prevent overcooking, as pasta continues absorbing sauce during baking and can become mushy if initially overcooked.
Customize Spice Levels: Adjust cayenne and green chilies according to personal heat tolerance, gradually increasing for more adventurous palates or reducing for milder versions without compromising overall dish complexity.
Optimize Cheese Melting: Use freshly grated sharp cheddar instead of pre-shredded cheese, which contains anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth sauce development and impact melting consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 90mg