Description
This Spicy Cream Cheese Jalapeño Chicken Spaghetti Bake is comfort food with a kick! Creamy, cheesy, and layered with bold jalapeño flavor, it’s a warm hug in casserole form. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or when you’re craving something exciting but still easy to pull together. The buttery cracker topping adds the dreamiest crunch! One bite and you’ll wonder where this dish has been all your life!
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 jalapeños, seeded and chopped (leave seeds for extra heat)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 cup crushed buttery crackers or breadcrumbs (for topping)
2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
Chopped green onions or extra jalapeño slices (optional garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, and jalapeños. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Stir in cream cheese, sour cream, and milk. Whisk until smooth and fully melted into a luscious sauce.
Add shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy.
Add the cooked spaghetti and toss gently until well coated in the cheesy, spicy sauce.
Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix the crushed crackers with the melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top for that perfect golden crunch.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Garnish with green onions or extra jalapeño slices if you’re feeling fancy—and dig in while it’s hot!
Notes
For more heat, leave in the jalapeño seeds or use an extra pepper.
Rotisserie chicken works beautifully here if you’re in a rush!
Want a veggie boost? Stir in sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or corn.
You can swap spaghetti with any pasta shape you love—penne or rotini hold the sauce especially well.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and GF cracker crumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6th of recipe)
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: spicy chicken pasta bake, jalapeño chicken pasta, creamy jalapeño spaghetti bake