There is no doubt something comforting about a hot cheese casserole that comes out of the oven warm–and that is what this Chicken Spaghetti is all about. It is a hearty home-style meal that combines the gratifying feel of tender spaghetti noodles with juicy shredded chicken, sumptuous mushroom soup, and the seductive ooze of crumbly cheddar. It is just the kind of recipe, the kind that makes you feel at home, when you are serving your family a quick weeknight dinner, or a dish at a neighborhood potluck.
First of all, the whole chicken is boiled (a fryer) until cooked through, which not only gives the dish the perfectly tender meat it needs but leaves behind an excellent broth as well. Once the chicken is cooked and shredded, the spaghetti is prepared right in that broth giving it that additional touch of richness. To make it easier to serve and eat the casserole, particularly when the company includes kids or in case of large gatherings, the noodles are crushed into smaller pieces.
When the chicken and pasta are cooked, they are blended with cream of mushroom soup which is a traditional starting point since it offers creamy rich richness to the dish. The green peppers and onions that are diced provide a slight crunch and a sweet tang, and the pimentos inject color and mild tang to provide some brightness to the dish. The Seasoned Salt from Lawry, with just a bit of cayenne pepper, adds the flavor without overpowering it, but again you can elevate the amount of cayenne to the extent you like it to be spicy. All of it is mixed with an overfill of grated sharp cheddar cheese–half folded in until it gives the whole thing a melty feel and half left on top that creates a light gold and cheesy sprinkling.
Pour the casserole into a baking dish, sprinkle with the remaining cheddar, then bake at 350 o F until the casserole bubbles and is even brown, which takes 45 minutes. If the cheese is beginning to become too dark, then a sheet of foil can be put on top halfway through. The outcome is a creamy, tasty, and hearty dish with every spoonful giving you the delicious mixture of the chicken, pasta, and the creamy-cheese factor.
The best thing about this Chicken Spaghetti is that it can be used in different ways. It lasts several days in the fridge, so again it makes the ideal meal prep, and freezes wonderfully (as long as you seal it properly and keep it no longer than six months). Be it fresh out of the oven or amidst an emergency weeknight meal, this meal manages to pull people. No wonder all those who taste it, fall in love with it, it is easy, fulfilling, and it is going to become a family favorite.
