Simple & Cozy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe Everyone Loves

Creamy pasta dishes always spark joy at the dinner table, especially when you whip up this easy chicken tetrazzini that promises comfort in every bite.

Tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, velvety sauce come together in a delightful harmony of flavors.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet satisfying meals that won’t keep you chained to the stove for hours.

This classic Italian-American casserole delivers maximum taste with minimal effort, blending mushrooms, cheese, and succulent chicken into a single skillet sensation.

Crispy breadcrumb topping adds a delightful crunch that elevates the entire dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Leftovers taste even better the next day, making this recipe a smart choice for busy cooks seeking deliciousness without complexity.

Dive into this chicken tetrazzini and watch everyone at the table ask for seconds.

How To Prepare Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

• Pasta Preparation

Boil pasta in salty water until perfectly tender. Drain and set aside. Warm up your oven to a cozy 350 degrees, creating a welcoming environment for your delicious dish.

• Flavor Foundation

In a spacious skillet, melt butter and dance some chopped onions and garlic around until they’re soft and fragrant. If you love mushrooms, toss them in and let them get golden and juicy. Sprinkle flour over your beautiful mixture, creating a magical base for a creamy sauce.

• Sauce Magic

Slowly pour in chicken broth and cream, whisking gently. Watch as your sauce transforms into a luxurious, velvety texture. Stir in sour cream and seasonings, letting each ingredient sing its own delicious note.

• Casserole Assembly

Combine your perfectly cooked pasta with tender chicken and that dreamy sauce. Transfer this heavenly mixture into a waiting baking dish, showering it with a blanket of cheese that will melt into pure comfort.

• Baking Transformation

Slide your creation into the warm oven. Let it bake until the top turns golden and the cheese bubbles with excitement, promising a meal that’ll make everyone smile.

• Serving Celebration

Pull out your masterpiece, let it rest for a moment, then serve with love. Optional fresh herbs can add a final burst of color and freshness.

Ways To Tweak Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Flavor

• Leftover Magic: Transform extra chicken tetrazzini into delightful lunch portions by storing in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to maintain its creamy texture.
• Protein Swap: Replace chicken with tender turkey, flaky white fish, or plant-based alternatives like tofu or tempeh for a versatile meal that suits different dietary preferences. Each protein brings a unique flavor profile to the dish.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta and replace wheat flour with cornstarch or rice flour when thickening the sauce. This simple substitution makes the recipe accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Veggie Boost: Elevate the nutritional value by adding roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach. Chop vegetables into small pieces and mix them into the pasta before baking for extra color and nutrients.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with different herb blends like herbes de Provence or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Sprinkle fresh herbs like basil or thyme on top for a burst of fresh flavor just before serving.

Best Way To Plate Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

• Cozy Family Feast: Perfect for gathering loved ones around the table, this chicken tetrazzini transforms an ordinary dinner into a heartwarming celebration of comfort food.
• Fresh Garden Companions: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with cherry tomatoes and a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy pasta dish and add vibrant freshness.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the dish's creamy texture with a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, which cuts through the richness and enhances the meal's overall flavor profile.
• Leftover Magic: Store cooled tetrazzini in airtight containers for 3-4 days, making it a fantastic make-ahead meal that tastes even better the next day when flavors have fully developed.

Store Easy Chicken Tetrazzini For Later Meals

• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare chicken tetrazzini ingredients in advance during weekends, storing cooked chicken and chopped vegetables separately in sealed containers for quick weeknight assembly.
• Refrigeration Magic: Store leftover casserole in airtight containers for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention by keeping cheese and sauce intact without separating.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Package individual portions in freezer-safe containers or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil, allowing convenient reheating within 2-3 months without compromising taste quality.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm refrigerated portions in microwave for 2-3 minutes or oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes, adding small splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying out during reheating process.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Use For Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

• Pasta: Provides the hearty foundation, choose a shape that holds sauce well like fettuccine or linguine.
• Chicken: Lean protein that adds substance, opt for tender, pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for convenience.

• Butter, Onion, Garlic: Creates a rich, aromatic flavor base that builds depth in the sauce.
• Mushrooms: Adds earthy umami notes, select fresh, firm mushrooms for best texture.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce smoothly, ensuring a velvety consistency.
• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, silky sauce texture with robust chicken flavor.
• Sour Cream: Introduces tangy richness and helps create a smooth, creamy finish.

• Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Provides melty, golden topping with sharp and mild cheese profiles.
• Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning: Elevates overall flavor, balancing and enhancing the dish's taste.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional bright garnish that adds fresh, herbal notes and visual appeal.

Kitchen Tools To Cook Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

• Large skillet: Essential for creating the creamy sauce and sautéing ingredients.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Perfect for assembling and baking the casserole.
• Large mixing bowl: Helps combine pasta, chicken, and sauce evenly.
• Whisk: Crucial for smoothly blending sauce ingredients.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Sharp knife: Used for chopping onions, garlic, and parsley.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.

Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Chicken tetrazzini delights pasta enthusiasts with its creamy, comforting layers of tender chicken and al dente noodles. Rich Italian-American casserole promises hearty satisfaction for hungry diners seeking classic comfort cuisine.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups chicken, shredded or diced
• 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or fettuccine
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or milk
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 oz (226 g) mushrooms, sliced (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Flavor Foundation: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until translucent, then incorporate mushrooms, cooking until they release their moisture and develop a rich, caramelized texture. Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stirring to create a uniform base.
3. Sauce Creation: Gradually pour chicken broth and cream into the skillet, whisking consistently to eliminate lumps and develop a silky, smooth sauce. Simmer gently, allowing the sauce to thicken and intensify in flavor.
4. Sauce Enhancement: Blend sour cream, seasonings, and a portion of Parmesan into the sauce, stirring until the cheese melts completely and integrates seamlessly.
5. Ingredient Amalgamation: Combine cooked pasta in a large mixing bowl with shredded chicken and prepared sauce, ensuring every pasta strand is thoroughly coated with the creamy mixture.
6. Casserole Assembly: Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Generously top with remaining Parmesan and mozzarella, creating an inviting cheesy crust.
7. Baking Process: Place casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbling, signaling complete heating and flavor melding.
8. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately while piping hot and texturally perfect.

Notes

• Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain structural integrity and prevent mushiness when baking with sauce.
• Manage Moisture Carefully: Ensure mushrooms are properly sautéed to release excess water, preventing a watery casserole texture.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Grate cheese freshly and add gradually to create smooth, even melting without clumping or separating.
• Customize Dietary Variations: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives, use plant-based chicken substitute for vegetarian version, or replace cream with lighter Greek yogurt for reduced-calorie option.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg