Close-up of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole with melted cheese and bacon topping
As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a warm, comforting casserole. And when it comes to classic comfort food, the Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Recipe stands out as a true family favorite. This recipe, adapted from the beloved Ree Drummond, is a breeze to make and perfect for cozy nights in, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. If you’re searching for a dish that’s both easy to prepare and guaranteed to please, look no further than this creamy, cheesy chicken spaghetti casserole.
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Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts (or 4 small)
- 16 oz uncooked spaghetti (pot-sized or broken into thirds)
- 1 (10.75 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ¼ cup diced green bell pepper
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 1 (4 oz) jar diced pimentos, drained
- 6 cups chicken broth, for poaching chicken and cooking spaghetti
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 slices bacon, cooked and chopped, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Poach Chicken: In a saucepan, bring 6 cups of chicken broth to a boil. Add the chicken breasts and poach for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove the chicken and let it cool slightly. Chop or shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Reserve 1 cup of the chicken broth.
- Cook Spaghetti: In the same chicken broth, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain the spaghetti and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the chopped chicken, diced green pepper, diced onion, and drained pimentos to the bowl with the spaghetti.
- Add Creamy Base: Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine.
- Cheese it Up: Add 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese to the mixture and stir until evenly distributed.
- Moisten: Pour in 1 cup of the reserved chicken cooking broth to create a creamy consistency. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Bake: Pour the chicken spaghetti mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it evenly.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
- Bacon Finish: While the casserole is baking, cook the bacon until crispy. Once the casserole is out of the oven, sprinkle the chopped bacon over the top.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the casserole cool slightly before cutting into servings. Serve warm and enjoy this ultimate comfort food!
Recipe Notes and Tips for Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti
- Chicken Cooking Options: Poaching chicken in broth adds flavor, but you can also use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save time. About 2 cups of cooked chicken are needed.
- Spaghetti Type: Using pot-sized spaghetti eliminates the need to break regular spaghetti. You can also use regular spaghetti, broken into thirds before cooking.
- Cheese Variations: While cheddar is classic, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend of cheeses for a different flavor profile.
- Spice Level: The cayenne pepper is optional but adds a subtle kick. Adjust the amount to your preference or omit it entirely for a milder dish.
- Make-Ahead Meal: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it, unbaked, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Serving Suggestions: This chicken spaghetti casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs well with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced dinner.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, including diced vegetables, canned soups, and cheese
Start by prepping all your fresh ingredients. Dicing the green bell pepper and onion ensures they cook evenly and blend seamlessly into the casserole.
Chopped cooked chicken in a bowl, ready to be added to the casserole
You’ll need approximately 2 cups of cooked chicken for this recipe. Poaching chicken breasts in chicken broth is a flavorful and moist method to prepare the chicken. Shredding or chopping it ensures it incorporates perfectly into the spaghetti mixture.
Uncooked spaghetti in a pot, ready to be cooked
For ease, pot-sized spaghetti is used, but regular spaghetti broken into thirds works just as well. Cooking the spaghetti in chicken broth instead of water enhances the overall flavor of the casserole. Remember to cook it al dente as it will continue to cook in the oven.
Reserving 1 cup of the chicken broth used to cook the spaghetti is a key step. This flavorful broth adds moisture and richness to the casserole, ensuring it’s not dry.
Cooked spaghetti and chopped chicken in a large mixing bowl
Combining the cooked spaghetti and chicken in a large bowl makes it easy to mix in the remaining ingredients evenly.
Using a combination of cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup creates a balanced creamy base for the casserole. Feel free to adjust based on your preference or what you have on hand.
Mixing bowl with chicken, spaghetti, soups, vegetables, and cheese being mixed together
Mixing in the soups, diced vegetables, pimentos, seasonings, and most of the shredded cheese ensures every bite is flavorful and cheesy.
Pouring reserved chicken broth into the mixing bowl
Stirring in the reserved chicken broth at this stage helps to bring all the ingredients together and creates the perfect creamy consistency for the casserole.
Pouring the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish makes it ready for baking. Greasing the dish prevents sticking and ensures easy serving.
Sprinkling shredded cheese over the chicken spaghetti casserole
Sprinkling the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top creates a delicious, cheesy crust as it bakes.
Chicken spaghetti casserole baking in the oven
Baking the casserole until bubbly and golden brown ensures it’s heated through and the cheese is perfectly melted and gooey.
Sprinkling crispy chopped bacon over the baked casserole adds a delightful smoky flavor and textural contrast to the creamy dish.
Serving of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole on a plate
Another serving of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole on a plate
Cutting the casserole into servings and serving it warm allows everyone to enjoy the comforting flavors and textures of this classic dish.
Child enjoying a serving of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
This Pioneer Woman chicken spaghetti recipe is truly family-friendly and loved by all ages, making it a perfect choice for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
There’s nothing better than a warm and comforting chicken spaghetti casserole on a chilly evening. This recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen!
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