Creamy Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Chicken spaghetti casserole represents the ultimate comfort food that transforms ordinary ingredients into a spectacular meal.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish combines tender proteins with perfectly cooked pasta in a creamy, cheesy embrace.

Families adore its rich, homestyle flavors that feel simultaneously nostalgic and exciting.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this crowd-pleasing recipe as a go-to solution for feeding hungry crowds.

Its simplicity belies the deep, complex taste that emerges from carefully layered ingredients.

Gathering around the table becomes a celebration of delicious, unpretentious cooking that connects generations.

Ending the Meal with a Comforting Chicken Bake

Comfort cuisine from Southern kitchens often carries profound memories of family gatherings.

Pioneer Woman’s chicken spaghetti casserole weaves nostalgic flavors into each hearty bite.

Creamy cheese and tender chicken create a harmonious melody of classic ingredients.

Midwest home cooking shines through this simple yet satisfying dish.

Generations of families have cherished similar casseroles around dinner tables.

Readers like you can savor this recipe, share its warmth with loved ones, drop a comment below, and spread culinary joy through social media channels.

Why Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Always Works

• Craft Comfort in One Dish: This chicken spaghetti casserole delivers ultimate comfort food with a perfect blend of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and cheesy goodness that wraps you in warmth and nostalgia.
• Master Effortless Meal Prep: The recipe offers incredible flexibility by allowing you to prepare ahead, refrigerate for two days, or freeze for six months, making it a lifesaver for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without daily stress.
• Celebrate Flavor Complexity: Combining cayenne pepper, seasoned salt, green peppers, and onions creates a sophisticated flavor profile that transforms a simple casserole into a memorable dining experience with layers of taste and slight heat.
• Enjoy Crowd-Pleasing Convenience: This one-pan wonder serves multiple people, requires minimal cleanup, and satisfies different palates, making it perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings where everyone craves something hearty and delicious.

Everything You Need for a Cozy Casserole Night

• Whole Fryer Chicken: Provides tender, flavorful meat as the main protein source for the casserole.
• Chicken Broth: Adds rich flavor and moisture from the chicken cooking process.

• Spaghetti: Serves as the primary carbohydrate base for the casserole, broken into pieces for easier eating.
• Green Pepper, Onion: Add fresh crunch and depth of flavor to the dish.
• Pimentos: Bring a subtle sweet and tangy flavor with a pop of color.

• Cheddar Cheese: Offers rich, melty texture and sharp flavor to the casserole.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creates a creamy, binding sauce that holds the ingredients together.

• Seasoned Salt, Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Cayenne Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and depth to the casserole.

Step-by-Step Guide to Chicken Spaghetti Bake

Step 1: Prep The Chicken

Grab a large pot and place whole chicken inside. Cover completely with water and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes until chicken is fully cooked. Remove chicken and let cool. Shred chicken until you have of meat. Save of chicken broth for next steps.

Step 2: Cook Spaghetti Noodles

Pour reserved chicken broth back into pot. Bring to boil and add spaghetti pieces. Cook until noodles reach al dente texture. Drain if needed and return noodles to pot.

Step 3: Mix Delicious Ingredients

• Shredded chicken
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Cheddar cheese
• Diced green pepper
• Diced onion
• Drained pimentos
• Seasoned salt
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together until well mixed.

Step 4: Prepare Casserole Dish

Transfer mixture into casserole dish. Sprinkle additional of cheddar cheese evenly across top.

Step 5: Bake Or Store

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake casserole for 45 minutes until bubbly. If cheese starts browning too quickly, cover with foil. Can be refrigerated up to 2 days or frozen up to 6 months. When freezing, thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking.

Tips for a Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Success

• Grate Cheese Freshly: Slice block cheese yourself for creamier, more flavorful melting that transforms your entire casserole's texture and taste.
• Season Strategically: Sprinkle seasonings gradually, tasting between additions to balance flavors without overwhelming the chicken and pasta.
• Chop Vegetables Precisely: Mince green peppers and onions super finely to distribute flavor evenly and ensure quick, uniform cooking throughout the dish.
• Preserve Pasta Texture: Remove spaghetti from boiling water when slightly firm, preventing mushiness during final baking stage and maintaining perfect al dente consistency.
• Prepare Chicken Carefully: Rinse chicken thoroughly with cold water, ensuring complete cooking for maximum safety and deepest possible flavor profile.

Storing Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Like a Pro

• Vacuum Seal Method: Remove air completely from storage container using a vacuum sealer for maximum freshness. Prevents freezer burn and extends casserole's lifespan up to 4 months, keeping flavors locked in tight.
• Individual Portion Method: Slice casserole into single servings before storing. Wrap each portion separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Allows quick, convenient reheating without thawing entire dish, perfect for busy weeknights or solo meals.
• Glass Container Method: Transfer cooled casserole into clear glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Enables easy visual tracking of food quality, prevents odor absorption, and provides microwave-safe reheating option. Glass containers maintain food's original texture better than plastic alternatives.

Tasty Variations for the Whole Family to Enjoy

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Spaghetti: Replace green pepper with roasted poblano peppers and add diced jalapeños for extra heat. Mix in black beans, corn, and use pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Bake: Swap cheddar with crumbled feta cheese, add sun-dried tomatoes, chopped kalamata olives, and fresh oregano. Include diced zucchini and sprinkle with crumbled feta before baking for a Greek-inspired version.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Spaghetti: Incorporate sautéed wild mushrooms like shiitake and cremini instead of pimentos. Use a blend of gruyère and parmesan cheese for a rich, earthy taste. Stir in fresh thyme and a splash of white wine for depth of flavor.
• Gluten-Free Veggie Chicken Casserole: Replace traditional spaghetti with gluten-free rice noodles or zucchini noodles. Add extra vegetables like spinach, artichoke hearts, and bell peppers. Use dairy-free cheese alternative for a lighter, allergen-friendly option.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole brings comfort straight from Texas kitchens with creamy, cheesy goodness. Hearty ingredients blend into a crowd-pleasing meal that draws you in with its irresistible warmth and nostalgic home-style charm.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 2 cups of chicken, cooked and shredded

Pasta and Base:

• 3 cups of spaghetti, broken into 2-inch pieces (regular or whole wheat)
• 2 cans (10.75 ounces / 305 grams each) of cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups of chicken broth (reserved from cooking the chicken)

Cheese and Vegetables:

• 3 cups of sharp cheddar cheese, grated (2 cups mixed in, 1 cup for topping)
• ¼ cup of green pepper, finely diced
• ¼ cup of onion, finely diced
• 1 jar (4 ounces / 113 grams) diced pimentos, drained

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon of Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
• 1/8 to ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Poach the whole fryer chicken in a large pot, submerged in water. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for approximately 30 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through. Carefully remove the chicken and let it cool completely before meticulously shredding to yield 2 cups (approximately 480 grams) of tender meat. Strain and reserve 2 cups (473 milliliters) of the flavorful broth for subsequent cooking.
2. Utilize the same pot with reserved chicken broth, bringing it to a vigorous boil. Add broken spaghetti pieces and cook until perfectly al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain excess liquid if needed, returning pasta to the pot.
3. Incorporate shredded chicken, cream of mushroom soup, 2 cups (226 grams) of grated cheddar cheese, finely diced green pepper, minced onion, drained pimentos, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Thoroughly blend all ingredients, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
4. Transfer the mixed chicken and spaghetti combination into a greased 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) casserole dish. Evenly distribute the remaining 1 cup (113 grams) of grated cheddar cheese across the top, creating a smooth, uniform layer.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for 45 minutes until the top becomes golden and the edges start bubbling. If the cheese begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil. For advanced meal preparation, the casserole can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours or frozen for 6 months. When freezing, ensure thorough thawing in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Notes

• Keep cheese fresh by grating it just before using for the most creamy and flavorful melt.
• Sprinkle spices carefully, tasting as you go to create a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
• Dice vegetables into tiny, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and distribute flavors throughout the dish.
• Boil spaghetti precisely, stopping when it’s al dente to prevent mushiness during baking.
• Clean chicken thoroughly under cold water, cooking it completely to guarantee both safety and deliciousness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg