Zippy Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Tex Mex chicken spaghetti bursts with a symphony of zesty southwestern charm, turning an ordinary pasta night into a flavor fiesta.
Creamy, bold textures collide in a culinary dance that elevates comfort food to an art form.
Tender chicken nestles among silky strands of spaghetti, creating a mouthwatering masterpiece that sings with spicy undertones.
Melted cheese weaves a luxurious blanket over each spirited bite, transforming simple ingredients into an unforgettable meal.
Vibrant peppers and robust seasonings ignite a flavor explosion that dances across your palate with wild abandon.
This dish promises more than just dinner – it delivers a taste adventure that will have everyone craving seconds.
Grab your fork and get ready to fall in love with every single, sensational spoonful!
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 640 kcal
Servings: 5
Things to Prep for Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti
For Pasta Base:For Flavor Enhancers:For Protein and Finishing Touches:Tools Required for Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti
How You’ll Cook Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti
Cook spaghetti in salted water until perfectly tender. Drain and set aside, creating the foundation for a mouthwatering casserole.
Chop peppers and onions, creating a colorful medley of vegetables. Mix with spaghetti, adding cream of chicken soup, chicken stock, and adobo sauce. Blend in shredded pepper jack cheese for a creamy, zesty kick.
Shred rotisserie chicken and gently fold into the saucy pasta mixture. Season with salt and pepper, ensuring every bite bursts with savory goodness.
Pour the entire mixture into a baking dish, topping with additional cheese. Slide into a preheated oven and bake until the casserole becomes bubbly and the cheese turns golden and irresistible.
Pull the steaming casserole from the oven and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top. Serve immediately, letting the rich Tex-Mex flavors dance on your taste buds.
Kitchen Notes for Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti
Mix and match protein options like shredded beef, turkey, or even black beans for vegetarian guests. Swap rotisserie chicken with grilled or roasted chicken for a personalized touch.
Boost heat levels by adding diced jalapeños, a dash of cayenne pepper, or using hot pepper jack cheese. Control the spiciness to match your flavor preference.
Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, monterey jack, or queso fresco. Create a unique cheese blend that elevates the dish’s richness and depth.
Prepare the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time for perfect heating.
How to Enjoy Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti
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Saucy Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Hearty Tex-Mex chicken spaghetti brings southwestern comfort to dinner tables across home kitchens. Creamy casserole combines zesty peppers, tender chicken, and melted cheese for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (283 g) shredded sharp pepper jack cheese
- 2 generous cups (473 ml) pulled rotisserie chicken
- 1 pound (454 g) spaghetti
- 2 (10 ¾ oz / 305 g) cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (237 ml) chicken stock
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 poblano pepper, finely diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) adobo sauce from canned chipotles
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil spaghetti in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain completely and set aside for the next stage of culinary assembly.
- Flavor Foundation: In a large mixing bowl, combine spaghetti with cream of chicken soup, chicken stock, adobo sauce, and seasoned salt. Incorporate finely chopped poblano pepper, red bell pepper, and onion, creating a vibrant and robust flavor profile.
- Protein Integration: Gently fold pulled rotisserie chicken into the spaghetti mixture, ensuring even distribution. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to elevate the overall taste complexity.
- Cheese Fusion: Blend pepper jack cheese thoroughly into the mixture, creating a creamy, cohesive texture that binds all components together with rich, melty goodness.
- Casserole Assembly: Transfer the spaghetti mixture into a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spreading evenly to guarantee consistent flavor in every bite. Crown the dish with additional pepper jack cheese for a golden, bubbling surface.
- Baking Process: Slide the casserole into a preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop a deeply satisfying, piping-hot consistency.
- Final Touch: Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves just before serving, introducing a bright, herbal note that cuts through the dish’s rich and creamy character. Present immediately to capture the peak of flavor and texture.
Notes
- Boost Pasta Flavor: Salt the water generously before cooking spaghetti to infuse deeper taste into every strand.
- Manage Pepper Heat: Remove poblano pepper seeds for milder spice or keep them for extra kick, depending on heat preference.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Shred cheese fresh for superior melting and smoother texture compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Rotisserie Chicken Hack: Use store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time and add more robust flavor than plain cooked chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.