Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

This decadent Chicken Tetrazzini is the ultimate comfort food that combines tender spaghetti, juicy chicken, and mushrooms in a rich, creamy sauce all topped with melty cheese. It’s surprisingly simple to make and perfect for busy weeknights when you need something hearty that the whole family will love. The best part? You can prep it ahead of time and pop it in the oven when you’re ready for a satisfying dinner that delivers restaurant-quality flavor right at your kitchen table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Pure Comfort Food: This dish is the definition of comfort in a casserole dish – creamy, cheesy, and deeply satisfying. It’s like a warm hug after a long day.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble this entire casserole in advance and bake it when you’re ready, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when company’s coming.
• Versatile: Works beautifully with leftover chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken for an even quicker preparation.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of pasta, a silky sauce, and golden cheese topping makes this a dish that everyone from kids to grandparents will happily devour.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Pasta: Thin spaghetti or linguine creates the perfect base to hold all that creamy sauce. Cook it just shy of al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven.
• Butter: Used for sautéing veggies and creating the roux, butter adds richness and depth of flavor that vegetable oil simply can’t match.
• Mushrooms: Button mushrooms provide an earthy flavor and meaty texture. They absorb all the delicious flavors while cooking and add wonderful umami to the dish.
• Chicken: Use cooked chicken breast (cubed or shredded) or meat from a rotisserie chicken for convenience. The chicken provides protein and makes this a complete meal.
• Onion & Garlic: These aromatics build the flavor foundation of the dish. Don’t skimp here – they add incredible depth.
• Flour: Acts as a thickener for the sauce, helping it achieve that perfect creamy consistency that coats every strand of pasta.
• Chicken Broth: Brings savory chicken flavor to the sauce without making it too heavy.
• Milk & Heavy Cream: The combination creates the perfect balance of richness and silkiness in the sauce. The fat content helps prevent curdling during baking.
• Seasonings: Salt and pepper are simple but essential. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – taste and adjust as you go.
• Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness and brightens the whole dish.
• Cheese: A combination of mozzarella and parmesan creates that irresistible stringy, melty topping while adding depth of flavor. The cheeses also help thicken the sauce as they melt into it.

Variations

Seafood Tetrazzini

Swap the chicken for cooked shrimp, crab meat, or a seafood mix. Use seafood stock instead of chicken broth for even more flavor.

Turkey Tetrazzini

Perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers! Simply substitute shredded turkey for the chicken.

Veggie-Packed Version

Add diced bell peppers, peas, spinach, or broccoli to boost the vegetable content and add color.

Spicy Tetrazzini

Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for a kick of heat.

How to Make Chicken Tetrazzini

Step 1: Prepare the Basics

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cook the pasta for 1 minute less than package directions – it should have a definite bite to it since it’ll continue cooking in the oven. After draining, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start to turn golden. This step is crucial – don’t rush it! Properly browned mushrooms have infinitely more flavor than pale ones. Add the onion and cook until translucent, then toss in the garlic for the final minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce

In the same pot (after transferring the vegetables to a bowl), melt more butter and whisk in flour to create a roux. Cook for a couple of minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the chicken stock until smooth, then add milk and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer until thickened. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon but still be pourable.

Step 4: Combine and Bake

Once your sauce has thickened, stir in the chicken, sautéed vegetables, and parsley. Fold in the pasta and most of the cheese until everything is well coated. Transfer to a casserole dish, top with the remaining mozzarella, and bake until bubbly and golden, about 30-35 minutes.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep it firmer than you might think necessary – it will soften further in the oven.
• Season in Layers: Add seasoning at each stage – to the vegetables, to the sauce, and taste before baking to ensure perfect flavor.
• Let It Rest: Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. This helps the sauce set up and makes serving much easier.
• Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: A store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver and adds wonderful flavor.
• Brown Under the Broiler: For an extra golden, slightly crispy top, place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking time.

How to Serve

Main Dish Pairings

Serve Chicken Tetrazzini with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the casserole. A side of steamed or roasted broccoli or asparagus also works wonderfully.

Bread

Nothing complements a creamy pasta dish like good bread. Serve with garlic bread, a crusty baguette, or warm dinner rolls to soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce.

Wine Pairing

A medium-bodied Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce, while a light Pinot Noir works well if you prefer red wine.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead

You can assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it’ll be starting cold.

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sauce may thicken considerably when chilled – this is normal.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! You can freeze it either before or after baking:

• Unbaked: Assemble, cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Baked: Cool completely, wrap well, and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For refrigerated leftovers, reheat in the microwave with a splash of milk to revive the sauce, or cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. For frozen casserole, bake covered at 350°F until heated through (about 30-45 minutes).

FAQs

Can I use different pasta shapes for this recipe?
Absolutely! While traditional tetrazzini uses long pasta like spaghetti or linguine, you can substitute with penne, fusilli, or farfalle. Just be sure to cook it 1-2 minutes shy of al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven. Different shapes might alter the texture slightly, but the flavor will remain delicious.

Why is my sauce grainy or curdled?
This usually happens when dairy is added to a very hot mixture or when the casserole is baked at too high a temperature. To prevent this, make sure to lower the heat before adding milk and cream, and whisk constantly. Also, using full-fat dairy products helps prevent curdling because the fat stabilizes the sauce.

Can I make this recipe lighter or lower in calories?
Yes, though it will change the texture and richness. You can use reduced-fat milk instead of whole milk and half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Low-fat cream cheese can also be added to maintain creaminess. Just be aware that lower-fat dairy products are more prone to curdling, so be extra careful with temperature control.

Is there a way to make this dish gluten-free?
Definitely! Use your favorite gluten-free pasta (cooking it quite al dente as it tends to soften more during baking). For the roux, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch (use half the amount if using cornstarch). Just be sure to check all other ingredients, including the broth, for hidden gluten.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Tetrazzini recipe transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular meal that’s bound to become a family favorite. It strikes that perfect balance between easy preparation and impressive results – exactly what we all need in our cooking arsenal. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight family dinner or bringing it to a potluck, this comforting casserole delivers rich flavor in every bite. Give it a try and watch how quickly it disappears from the table!

Print