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Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole fresh from oven

Irresistible Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

This spicy Southern-style casserole combines shredded chicken, bold seasoning, creamy cheese, and tender pasta in a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner. It’s fast, flavorful, and flexible — your new go-to for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 oz spaghetti or any pasta you love
  • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken leftover rotisserie works great
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bell pepper red or green, diced
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for lighter version
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies 10 oz can, drained
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper adjust to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or pepper jack for more heat
Optional Topping
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs optional
  • 2 tbsp melted butter if using breadcrumbs

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large skillet
  • 9×13 casserole dish
  • Mixing spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook spaghetti until just under al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 3–4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
  3. Add chicken, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat everything well.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, cream, and drained diced tomatoes with green chilies. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Fold in cooked spaghetti to coat evenly with the sauce.
  6. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 casserole dish. Top with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
  7. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter (if using) and sprinkle over the top.
  8. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Customize the spice level by adjusting cayenne or using pepper jack cheese. Store leftovers up to 3 days. Freezes well for up to 2 months after baking and cooling.