Vibrant Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Tex Mex chicken spaghetti represents a bold fusion of southwestern flavors and classic comfort food.

Creamy textures intermingle with spicy undertones, creating a dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Hearty protein blends seamlessly with tender pasta, promising a satisfying meal that sparks conversation around the dinner table.

Robust cheese melts into a silky sauce, elevating simple components into a culinary experience that feels both familiar and exciting.

Vibrant peppers add a subtle kick, dancing alongside rich, velvety elements that make each bite memorable.

Southwest-inspired seasonings promise to tantalize your taste buds and deliver a meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Get ready to savor every delicious forkful!

Why Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti Is So Satisfying

• Spice Up Your Comfort Food: This recipe transforms classic chicken spaghetti into a zesty Tex-Mex adventure with bold poblano peppers, adobo sauce, and pepper jack cheese that brings exciting heat and complexity to a traditional dish.
• Effortless Gourmet Experience: Utilizing rotisserie chicken and simple pantry ingredients makes this recipe incredibly convenient, allowing home cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal in under an hour with minimal preparation and cooking skills required.
• Crowd-Pleasing Cheesy Delight: The generous layer of melted pepper jack cheese creates an irresistibly gooey, stretchy topping that elevates the entire casserole, making it a guaranteed hit for family dinners, potlucks, and casual gatherings where everyone craves comforting, flavorful food.
• One-Dish Wonder: This complete meal combines protein, pasta, vegetables, and cheese in a single baking dish, reducing cleanup time and providing a balanced, satisfying dinner that appeals to both kids and adults with its familiar yet exciting flavor profile.

What You’ll Need for This Spicy Spaghetti

• Spaghetti: Classic pasta for creating a hearty base with great texture and ability to absorb flavors.

• Rotisserie Chicken: Pre-cooked, tender chicken that adds rich flavor and saves preparation time, best when freshly pulled.

• Pepper Jack Cheese: Spicy cheese that melts beautifully and adds a zesty kick to the dish, shredded for easy distribution.

• Poblano Pepper, Red Bell Pepper, Onion: Fresh vegetables that provide color, crunch, and depth of flavor, finely chopped for even cooking and distribution.

• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creamy base that helps bind ingredients and adds rich, comforting flavor.
• Chicken Stock: Adds moisture and enhances overall chicken flavor.
• Adobo Sauce: Brings smoky, spicy complexity to the dish.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

• Fresh Cilantro Leaves: Bright, fresh herb that adds color and a classic Tex-Mex finishing touch.

How to Make This Tex Mex Comfort Dish

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Base

Grab a large pot and fill with water. Generously sprinkle kosher salt into the water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until perfectly al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain completely and set aside.

Step 2: Create Flavor Mixture

• Drained spaghetti
• Cream of chicken soup
• Chicken stock
• Adobo sauce
• Seasoned salt

• 1 poblano pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 onion

Toss in of shredded pepper jack cheese. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well integrated.

Step 3: Incorporate Protein

Gently fold pulled rotisserie chicken into the spaghetti mixture. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Assemble Casserole

Transfer the entire spaghetti mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining of pepper jack cheese evenly across the top.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 45 minutes until the casserole is bubbling hot and cheese is melted and slightly golden.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Remove from oven. Scatter fresh cilantro leaves over the top for a vibrant finish. Serve immediately while warm, letting the rich Tex-Mex flavors shine through.

Tips That Take Chicken Spaghetti Up a Notch

• Boost Flavor Depth: Sauté vegetables until caramelized edges develop, intensifying their natural sweetness and creating complex taste layers.
• Customize Protein Power: Replace chicken with chorizo or add black beans for unexpected texture and robust Tex Mex authenticity.
• Control Pasta Texture: Undercook spaghetti slightly, ensuring perfectly tender noodles after baking without becoming mushy.
• Elevate Cheese Game: Select premium pepper jack for superior melting quality and a tangy, creamy finish.
• Fire Up Spice Levels: Incorporate fresh jalapeño or increase adobo sauce to deliver a zesty kick that awakens taste buds.

How to Store Tex Mex Pasta Without Drying

Vacuum Seal Method: Extract all air from a heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor integrity. Carefully portion the chicken spaghetti into single-serving sizes for convenient future meals.

Cooling Technique: Allow the casserole to cool completely on a wire rack for 45-60 minutes before transferring to storage containers. Rapid temperature changes can compromise texture and promote bacterial growth.

Mason Jar Strategy: Layer individual portions in clean glass jars with tight-sealing lids for compact refrigeration. Glass containers preserve taste better than plastic and create an attractive meal-prep presentation that keeps ingredients fresh for 2-3 days.

Creative Variations for Your Spaghetti Night

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Spaghetti: Replace poblano and red bell peppers with jalapeños and green chiles for an extra kick of heat. Add chipotle powder to enhance the smoky spiciness.
• Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Bake: Swap pepper jack cheese with feta and mozzarella. Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and fresh oregano for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Healthy Green Chicken Casserole: Use whole wheat spaghetti and replace cream of chicken soup with Greek yogurt. Add spinach, zucchini, and use reduced-fat cheese for a lighter version. Incorporate fresh herbs like parsley and basil for additional nutrition.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Spaghetti: Sauté mixed mushrooms like shiitake and cremini before adding to the dish. Replace adobo sauce with white wine and add a touch of truffle oil for an elegant, earthy taste.

Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti Worth Repeating

Culinary magic emerges from this Tex-Mex chicken spaghetti masterpiece, blending comfort and zest in one spectacular dish.

Layers of creamy cheese, tender chicken, and bold peppers create an irresistible symphony of southwestern flavors.

Pioneer Woman’s recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that promises to delight dinner tables.

Spicy pepper jack melts into a rich, creamy sauce that hugs each pasta strand with complex flavor profiles.

Southern hospitality meets Mexican-inspired cuisine in this crowd-pleasing casserole that guarantees smiles around the table.

Soul-warming and crowd-pleasing, this chicken spaghetti calls you to dive fork-first into a celebration of taste.

Pioneer Woman Tex Mex Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Tex-Mex Chicken Spaghetti brings spicy southwestern flair to classic pasta comfort. Creamy, cheesy layers combine tender chicken, zesty peppers, and melted cheese for a hearty dinner that satisfies your craving for bold Texan flavors.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) spaghetti
• 2 generous cups (473 ml) pulled rotisserie chicken
• 2 ½ cups (283 grams) shredded sharp pepper jack cheese

Protein and Liquid Components:

• 2 (10 ¾ ounces / 305 grams) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup (237 ml) chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) adobo sauce from canned chipotles

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 poblano pepper, finely diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot by filling it with water and seasoning generously with kosher salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until it reaches the perfect al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, create a flavor-packed base by combining the drained spaghetti with cream of chicken soup, rich chicken stock, zesty adobo sauce, and seasoned salt. Introduce finely chopped poblano pepper, vibrant red bell pepper, and diced onion to the mixture.
3. Gently fold in the pulled rotisserie chicken, ensuring even distribution throughout the spaghetti mixture. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to your personal taste preferences.
4. Sprinkle 1.5 cups of shredded pepper jack cheese into the mixture, stirring to create a creamy, cheesy consistency that binds all the ingredients together.
5. Transfer the entire spaghetti mixture into a 13 by 9-inch (33 by 23 centimeters) baking dish, spreading it evenly to ensure a uniform layer of deliciousness.
6. Top the dish with the remaining 1 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese, creating a golden, melty surface that promises a delectable finish.
7. Place the baking dish in a preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through completely and bubbling with appetizing intensity.
8. Once baked, remove from the oven and add a final flourish of fresh cilantro leaves, which will provide a bright, herbal contrast to the rich, creamy dish.
9. Serve immediately while hot, allowing diners to savor the harmonious blend of Tex-Mex flavors and comforting pasta goodness.

Notes

• Fresh cilantro brightens the entire dish, cutting through rich cheesy layers with a vibrant, herbal pop.
• Prepping this casserole ahead saves time, allowing flavors to deepen while refrigerated before baking.
• Rotisserie chicken provides tender, juicy protein without extra cooking steps.
• Pepper jack cheese melts into a spicy, gooey blanket that transforms the classic comfort food.
• Adobo sauce delivers a smoky, complex undertone that elevates this Tex-Mex inspired spaghetti bake.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 612 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1075 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 82 mg