Spicy Southern Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
A comforting and spicy Southern-style cheesy chicken spaghetti casserole featuring tender shredded chicken, Velveeta cheese, Rotel tomatoes, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping, baked until bubbly and golden for a satisfying main dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti cooked
- 1 lb chicken shredded meat about 1 rotisserie chicken
Sauce and Cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 lb Velveeta cheese cut into chunks
- 1 cup milk
- 1 10-ounce can original Rotel
- 1 10-ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- crushed red pepper flakes for serving
Instructions
- Prepare casserole dish and oven: Grease a 9×13 casserole dish with Crisco and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make the cheese sauce: Combine butter, Velveeta cheese chunks, Rotel, cream of mushroom soup, and milk in a large stockpot. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the cheese has fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Combine chicken and spaghetti: Add shredded chicken, cooked spaghetti, salt, and pepper to the cheese sauce. Toss thoroughly to fully combine all ingredients.
- Assemble casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and level the top with a spoon. Evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and panko bread crumbs on top.
- Bake covered: Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbling.
- Broil topping: Remove foil and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, watching carefully, until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned and crisp.
- Rest and serve: Remove casserole from oven and let it rest for five minutes. Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes to taste before serving.
Notes
- Using a rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor, but cooked shredded chicken breast can be substituted.
- For extra spice, add additional crushed red pepper flakes into the cheese sauce.
- If you prefer a creamier topping without breadcrumbs, substitute with extra shredded cheese.
- To avoid burning breadcrumbs under the broiler, watch closely and remove as soon as they begin to brown.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead; refrigerate before baking and increase baking time slightly if baking chilled.
