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
Scale
- 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