Amazing Texas Chicken Spaghetti Recipe with Southern flavors

Texas Chicken Spaghetti is a hearty comfort food that’s popular in Texas and the southwestern United States. It’s a delicious combination of pasta, chicken, and a creamy, slightly spicy sauce. The dish is often seasoned with various spices to give it a mildly spicy and flavorful kick. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family dinner or a weekend get-together with friends, this great recipe is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

Why you should make this Texas Chicken Spaghetti recipe

Looking for a Texan-inspired chicken spaghetti recipe that’s easy to make? Look no further!

This recipe is packed with classic Texan flavors and features a delicious, creamy cheese sauce made with cream of mushroom soup. Once you try it, your family will be asking for seconds, so it’s perfect for a crowd-pleasing dinner. Even at casual celebrations like birthdays or informal gatherings with friends. Its hearty nature can be appealing for guests of all ages.

Plus, it’s quick and easy to prepare and can be made in larger batches for meal prep. It’s a convenient option for busy weeknights when you want a delicious and easy-to-prepare meal that can be made in advance and reheated as needed. Texas chicken spaghetti is a popular choice for potluck gatherings, picnics, and outdoor barbecues. It travels well and can be served as a side dish or main course.

What spices are commonly used in Texan food?

Texan cuisine is known for its bold and flavorful dishes, and it often incorporates a variety of spices and seasonings to achieve its distinctive taste, with influences from Mexican, Southern, and Southwestern flavors. Some of the typical spices and seasonings used in Texan cooking include:

Texan cuisine is known for its flavorful spices and seasonings. One of the key spices in Texan cuisine is chili powder, which is made from ground chili peppers.

Chili powder is often combined with other ingredients like cumin, garlic, oregano, and paprika to add heat and depth of flavor to dishes like chili, enchiladas, and Tex-Mex cuisine.

Cumin is another common spice used in Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking. It provides earthy and slightly nutty flavors to Texan dishes like tacos, chili, and salsas. Paprika, on the other hand, adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor and vibrant red color to Texan dishes. It is often used in spice rubs for meats and in sauces like barbecue sauce.

Other common spices used in Texan cuisine include garlic and onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. These spices are used to add flavor and heat to a wide range of Texan dishes, from barbecue rubs to pasta sauces. Smoked paprika is also a key ingredient in Texan barbecue rubs and sauces, adding a smoky flavor to dishes.

Additionally, yellow mustard and Worcestershire sauce are used in some Texan barbecue sauce recipes to add tanginess and depth of flavor.

Why is cream of mushroom soup often used in casserole recipes?

Cream of mushroom soup is a popular casserole ingredient due to its many benefits. Firstly, it has a creamy and thick texture that helps bind the ingredients together, resulting in a rich and comforting texture. Additionally, it enhances the flavor of the dish with its savory and umami-rich taste, which comes from the mushrooms in the soup. Using a canned or store-bought soup is particularly convenient as it saves time and effort compared to making a homemade sauce from scratch.

The soup is also highly versatile and can be paired with a wide range of ingredients, making it a go-to ingredient for creating different casserole variations. Furthermore, it provides moisture to the casserole, preventing it from drying out during the baking process, which helps keep the dish tender and moist. Lastly, cream of mushroom soup is cost-effective and kid-friendly, thanks to its mild and smooth taste, which appeals to many, including picky eaters and children.

It’s worth noting that while the cream of mushroom soup is a common choice, there are alternatives and variations that can be used in casserole recipes to suit dietary preferences or to add different flavors. For example, you can use cream of chicken or cream of celery soup for a different taste profile, or create a homemade béchamel or cheese sauce if you prefer to have more control over the ingredients and flavors in your casserole.

What ingredients does one need for making Texas Chicken Spaghetti?

To prepare this delicious meal, you only need a few ingredients from your fridge and pantry. The main components are spaghetti noodles and shredded chicken. I prefer using plant-based chicken and precooked spaghetti, but you can cook the spaghetti if you want to.

The creamy sauce for this chicken spaghetti casserole is made with dairy-free cream of mushroom soup mixed with vegan cheddar.

We use bell peppers, diced tomatoes, and onions as vegetables. You can add extra green chiles if you like.

To season the dish, we use chili flakes and garlic.

How to make Texas Chicken Spaghetti

Preheat oven to 410F and set a casserole dish aside.

If you don’t use pre-cooked spaghetti, first cook spaghetti al dente according to the package directions in a large pot of water.

Next, heat the olive oil in a pan or large skillet. When hot, add the bell pepper and chopped onions. Cook them on medium heat for 3 minutes.

Now, add the shredded chicken to the mix, and season with garlic, chili flakes, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook for 4 minutes more, then remove from heat.

In a bowl combine the cooked spaghetti, 3/4 of the cheese, diced tomatoes, and the chicken and veggies from the pan, with the cream of mushroom soup.

Transfer to the casserole dish and sprinkle the remaining cheddar on top. Bake for around 15 minutes.

Allow Texas chicken spaghetti to cool down for 10 minutes, before serving. It will make a better texture for this hearty dish.

How to store Texas Chicken Spaghetti

To store chicken spaghetti properly and ensure it remains safe and delicious, follow these steps:

Allow the chicken spaghetti to cool down to room temperature before storing it. Ideally, you should refrigerate it within two hours of cooking.

If you have a large batch of chicken spaghetti, it’s a good idea to portion it into smaller servings before storing it. This will make it easier to reheat only what you need and avoid repeated heating and cooling.

Transfer the chicken spaghetti to airtight containers. Make sure the containers are made of food-safe materials and have a tight seal to prevent air from entering.

Freezing option

If you want to store it for a more extended period, consider freezing it. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Ensure you remove as much air as possible from the container or bag to prevent freezer burn.

Chicken spaghetti can be frozen for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy the chicken spaghetti, you can thaw it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

If you’re in a hurry, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave.

What to serve with Texas Chicken Spaghetti

Texas Chicken Spaghetti is a yummy and filling meal, but it’s even better if you pair it with some tasty side dishes. Here are some ideas to make your chicken spaghetti meal even more enjoyable:

A classic choice is garlic bread or warm breadsticks that go really well with spaghetti. These are perfect for sopping up any extra sauce.

A simple green salad with a light dressing, like lemon vinaigrette or poppy seed dressing, can provide a fresh contrast to the richness of the chicken spaghetti. You can add ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives.

Roasted vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, or bell peppers, can add a healthy and savory element to your meal.

If you’re a fan of mushrooms, sautéed mushrooms with garlic and herbs can complement the mushroom flavor in the chicken spaghetti.

A tangy coleslaw with cabbage and carrots can provide a crunchy, zesty side dish.

Other easy casserole recipes to try

• Chicken Broccoli Casserole
• Enchilada Casserole
• Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Cheeseburger Casserole

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Enjoy, Florian.