πŸ—πŸ”₯πŸπŸ§€ Irresistible Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole – Comfort Food with a Kick!

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Author: Jacky
Published:
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πŸŽ‰ Introduction

If you love a good Southern-style casserole but crave a little heat, this Irresistible Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is your next dinner obsession! It’s the ultimate comfort foodβ€”tender shredded chicken, creamy cheese sauce, spicy Rotel tomatoes, and perfectly cooked spaghetti, all baked until bubbly and golden.

This recipe combines the best of Southern comfort cooking with a bold, zesty kick. It’s creamy, cheesy, and full of flavorβ€”perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep nights. Every bite brings that classic home-cooked warmth with a little Southern sass.


🧰 Equipment Needed

  • Large pot (for boiling pasta)
  • Large skillet or saucepan
  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing spoon
  • Knife & cutting board
  • Oven

πŸ›’ Ingredients

For 6–8 Servings:

  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great!)
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 Β½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
  • Β½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Β½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Β½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice)
  • Β½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley (for garnish)

πŸ‘©β€πŸ³ Directions

  1. Cook the Pasta
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. SautΓ© the Veggies
    • In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook 3–5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Make the Creamy Sauce
    • Add cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and Rotel tomatoes (undrained) to the skillet. Stir until creamy and combined.
  4. Add the Seasonings
    • Mix in paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust spice level to your preference.
  5. Combine Chicken & Pasta
    • Stir in shredded chicken and cooked spaghetti until evenly coated in sauce.
  6. Assemble the Casserole
    • Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
  7. Bake & Serve
    • Bake uncovered at 350Β°F (175Β°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
    • Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

  • Servings: 6–8
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: ~45 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze in a covered dish or airtight bag for up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, or bake at 350Β°F until warmed through. Add a splash of milk to keep it creamy.

πŸ₯„ Variations

  • Extra Spicy: Add diced jalapeΓ±os or a few dashes of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
  • Milder Version: Use plain diced tomatoes instead of Rotel.
  • Tex-Mex Twist: Add black beans, corn, or crushed tortilla chips on top.
  • BBQ Chicken Spaghetti: Mix in ΒΌ cup barbecue sauce for smoky-sweet flavor.
  • Low-Carb Option: Swap spaghetti for spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash.

❓ 10 FAQs

  1. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
    Yesβ€”it’s a time-saver and adds great flavor!
  2. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
    Definitelyβ€”assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
  3. Can I freeze it before baking?
    Yesβ€”wrap tightly and freeze. Bake from frozen for 45–50 minutes.
  4. Is it very spicy?
    It’s mildly spicy. Adjust cayenne or Rotel based on your heat preference.
  5. Can I use another pasta?
    Sureβ€”penne, linguine, or egg noodles all work.
  6. Can I substitute sour cream?
    Yesβ€”use Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
  7. Can I add veggies?
    Absolutelyβ€”try mushrooms, spinach, or diced tomatoes.
  8. Can I make it vegetarian?
    Skip the chicken and use more veggies or chickpeas.
  9. What cheese melts best?
    A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack gives that creamy, gooey finish.
  10. Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
    Yesβ€”just use two casserole dishes and bake both at once.

🏁 Conclusion

This Irresistible Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is the definition of comfort food done rightβ€”creamy, cheesy, spicy, and soul-satisfying. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a potluck favorite, this dish brings all the Southern charm with just the right amount of heat. Once you try it, you’ll want it on repeat all year long!

πŸ—πŸ”₯πŸπŸ§€ Irresistible Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole – Comfort Food with a Kick!

If you love a good Southern-style casserole but crave a little heat, this Irresistible Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is your next dinner obsession! It’s the ultimate comfort foodβ€”tender shredded chicken, creamy cheese sauce, spicy Rotel tomatoes, and perfectly cooked spaghetti, all baked until bubbly and golden. This recipe combines the best of Southern comfort cooking with a bold, zesty kick. It’s creamy, cheesy, and full of flavorβ€”perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep nights. Every bite brings that classic home-cooked warmth with a little Southern sass.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
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Ingredients
  

For 6–8 Servings:
  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great!)
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can 10 oz Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 can 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 Β½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • Β½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Β½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Β½ tsp cayenne pepper adjust for spice
  • Β½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
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Equipment

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Large skillet or saucepan
  • 9Γ—13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing spoon
  • Knife & cutting board
  • Oven

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
SautΓ© the Veggies
  1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook 3–5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Make the Creamy Sauce
  1. Add cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and Rotel tomatoes (undrained) to the skillet. Stir until creamy and combined.
Add the Seasonings
  1. Mix in paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust spice level to your preference.
Combine Chicken & Pasta
  1. Stir in shredded chicken and cooked spaghetti until evenly coated in sauce.
Assemble the Casserole
  1. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
Bake & Serve
  1. Bake uncovered at 350Β°F (175Β°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
  2. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a covered dish or airtight bag for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, or bake at 350Β°F until warmed through. Add a splash of milk to keep it creamy.
πŸ₯„ Variations
Extra Spicy: Add diced jalapeΓ±os or a few dashes of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
Milder Version: Use plain diced tomatoes instead of Rotel.
Tex-Mex Twist: Add black beans, corn, or crushed tortilla chips on top.
BBQ Chicken Spaghetti: Mix in ΒΌ cup barbecue sauce for smoky-sweet flavor.
Low-Carb Option: Swap spaghetti for spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yesβ€”it’s a time-saver and adds great flavor!
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Definitelyβ€”assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze it before baking?
Yesβ€”wrap tightly and freeze. Bake from frozen for 45–50 minutes.
Is it very spicy?
It’s mildly spicy. Adjust cayenne or Rotel based on your heat preference.
Can I use another pasta?
Sureβ€”penne, linguine, or egg noodles all work.
Can I substitute sour cream?
Yesβ€”use Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
Can I add veggies?
Absolutelyβ€”try mushrooms, spinach, or diced tomatoes.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Skip the chicken and use more veggies or chickpeas.
What cheese melts best?
A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack gives that creamy, gooey finish.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yesβ€”just use two casserole dishes and bake both at once.
🏁 Conclusion
This Irresistible Spicy Southern Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is the definition of comfort food done rightβ€”creamy, cheesy, spicy, and soul-satisfying. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a potluck favorite, this dish brings all the Southern charm with just the right amount of heat. Once you try it, you’ll want it on repeat all year long!
Jacky’s Kitchen

Welcome to Jacky’s Kitchen! I’m Jacky β€” a home chef sharing easy, colorful, cartoon-style recipes you’ll actually enjoy cooking. From quick dinners to sweet treats, everything here is made with love, flavor, and a dash of fun.

Jacky's Kitchen Icon

Get Our Best App for Daily Great Recipes 🍽️

Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals β€” fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.

Download on the App Store
Google Play Coming Soon

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