When it rains outside or you just feel tired after school, this Chicken Spaghetti is the kind of food that kicks in like a cozy blanket. Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, aint fancy, she just a mom from Oklahoma who likes to cook stuff that real people will dig. She writed books, bligged all day about food, and even got her own cooking show. This dish is one of hers that everybody cant get enough of because its easy and taste great.
Chicken Spaghetti mixes soft chicken, spagetti noodles, and a creamy sauce that coats everything in cheesy goodness. You can throw it together quick when you dont got time to stand at the stove all day. Plus its family friendly, so kids wont complain. You can also add extra veggies or hot sauce if you want more kick.
This guide gonna show you how to make it step by step. Well talk about the ingredents you need, the gear to grab, and how to bake it just right. Even if you never cooked before, youll be able to serve up a pan of warm spaghetti thats gonna make everyone happy.
What is Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti?
Its really just a baked pasta casserole with chicken and a creamy sauce. You cook your noodles, stir in some cooked chicken chunks, mix in cream of mushroom soup, dice peppers and onions and melt cheese on top. Then you bake it until its bubbly and brown at the edges. Every bite have tender pasta, juicy chicken and melty cheese in one spoonful.
Even no one knows for sure where Chicken Spaghetti come from, most folks think it started in the South where comfort food is king. Ree Drummond spot lighted it on her blog and TV, so now its not just a Southern thing its everywhere. Tons of people got their own twist, but the idea stays the same: pasta, chicken, sauce, cheese.
From a nutrition view, Chicken Spaghetti got protein from the chicken to help your muscles and keep you full, plus carbs from the pasta to give you energy. If you add bell peppers and onions, you also get vitamins and fibre. And yes, the cream soup make it a bit heavy, but you can use a low fat version if you want to keep it lighter.
Ingredients Needed
To make Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti, youll need this:
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breast or thigh, cooked and shredded
- Spaghetti: Regular spaghetti pasta, cooked just al dente
- Bell Peppers: Green and red bell peppers, diced small
- Onion: One medium onion, chopped
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Canned or homemade, to make it creamy
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese for the top
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and any other herbs you like
When you pick your chicken look for meat thats pink not slimy or too wet. Pick peppers that are firm and shiny, not wrinkled or soft. Onions should be solid and no dark spots on them. Fresh stuff make it taste a whole lot better.
Ingredients Needed
Yep its the same list again, but its so easy to forget something.
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken, shredded
- Spaghetti: Pasta, cooked just right
- Bell Peppers: Diced green and red
- Onion: Chopped
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: For the sauce
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, herbs
Equipment Needed
Before you start you gonna want:
- Large Pot: To boil the spaghetti
- Skillet: To cook chicken and saute veggies
- Baking Dish: To bake it all in
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: So you dont add too much or too little
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: To mix and serve
Detailed Recipe for Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti
Preparation Time
It take about 30 min to prep and another 30 min to bake. This dish usually feeds 6 to 8 people, so its great for big familes or when friends drop by.
Directions
1. Cook the Spaghetti
Put a big pot of water on to boil and salt it. Add the spaghetti and cook like the box says until its al dente. Drain it and set aside.
2. Prepare the Chicken
In a skillet on medium heat add a splash of oil and cook your chicken until its not pink any more, about 15 to 20 min. Take it out, let it cool a bit, then shred it into pieces.
3. Make the Sauce
In the same skillet saute the onions and peppers till they get soft, around 5 min. Then add your shredded chicken, cream of mushroom soup, and seasonings. Stir it up and let it simmer so the flavors mix.
4. Combine Ingredients
Grab a large bowl and put the drained spaghetti inside. Add the chicken sauce mixture. Toss it real gentle so every noodle get covered.
5. Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Put the spaghetti mix in a greased baking dish, spread it out. Cover with foil and bake for about 20 min.
6. Add Cheese Topping
After 20 min take off the foil and sprinkle cheese all over. Put it back in the oven without the foil for another 10 min or till cheese is melted and bubbly.
Additional Cooking Tips
Here some ideas to make it even better:
- Variations: Try rotisserie chicken or even turkey instead. You can add mushrooms or zucchini if you want more veggies.
- Storage Tips: Put leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
- Freezing Recommendations: You can freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge before baking and add a few extra minutes in the oven.
Why People Love Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti
People like it cause its super comforting and simple to make. It bring back memories of family dinners and home.
The best part is its flexible. You can add your favorite spice, change up the veggies, or use a different kind of meat. Ree Drummond made cooking feel fun not hard, so tons of home cooks been inspired to try more in the kitchen.
FAQ Section
What can I serve with Chicken Spaghetti?
It goes good with a simple salad, garlic bread, or even steamed broccoli. Some people like coleslaw on the side for crunch.
Can I make Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti ahead of time?
Yes, you can put it all together in the baking dish, cover it tight, and keep in fridge. When you ready to bake, just follow the instructions and add a couple extra min of cooking.
Is there a vegetarian or vegan version of this dish?
Sure, swap the chicken for chickpeas or mushrooms. Use vegan cream soup or a cashew based sauce. Vegan cheese on top works too.
How do I store leftover chicken spaghetti?
Leftovers go in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep for about 3-4 days. Warm up in the microwave or oven.
Can I use rotisserie chicken in the recipe?
Yeah thats an awesome shortcut. Just shred the store-bought chicken and mix it in for a faster dinner.
Conclusion
Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti is all about comfort and ease, perfect for any night you need something hearty and tasty. It’s a recipe that makes everyone feel at home.
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pioneer woman chicken spaghetti
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 large skillet
- 1 strainer
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 baking dish
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded Can substitute with leftover rotisserie chicken.
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies Optional.
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup sliced bell peppers
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- to taste salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, bell peppers, and garlic, and sauté until softened (about 5 minutes).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and ½ cup of cheddar cheese. Stir until well mixed.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the chicken mixture and gently stir until combined. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish and top with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
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