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Spicy Southern Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

A bold, creamy Southern baked casserole made with shredded chicken breast, spaghetti, cream of chicken soup, sharp cheddar cheese, and a spiced sauce with paprika and cayenne. Pure comfort food for family dinner.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Casserole, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts about 3 to 4 breasts, poached and shredded
  • 8 oz spaghetti cooked al dente and drained, do not rinse
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded and divided into two 1-cup portions
  • 1 cup fresh bell peppers chopped, mix of red and green recommended
  • 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup 1 standard can
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper reduce to 1/4 tsp for a milder dish
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 cup green onions sliced, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large casserole dish
  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Cutting board and knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a large casserole dish with cooking spray or butter and set aside.
  2. Place chicken breasts in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 to 25 minutes until fully cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Transfer to a cutting board, rest 5 minutes, then shred with two forks. Reserve a small amount of poaching liquid.
  3. Bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until just al dente, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and do not rinse.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, cooked spaghetti, cream of chicken soup, chopped bell peppers, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar. Stir until well combined. If the mixture feels stiff, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of reserved poaching liquid to loosen.
  5. Transfer mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spread evenly, and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
  6. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and golden brown around the edges and the casserole is bubbling at the sides. Rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with sliced green onions and serving.

Notes

Make-ahead: assemble unbaked, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bring to room temperature for 20 minutes before baking. Freezing: wrap unbaked casserole tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking and add 5 to 10 minutes to cook time. Rotisserie chicken works great as a shortcut — use about 2 cups shredded.