The Creamiest Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe You’ll Ever Taste

Comfort arrives with this creamy chicken tetrazzini recipe that whispers memories of grandmother’s kitchen.

Pasta lovers crave such delightful combinations of tender poultry and rich, velvety sauce.

Hearty mushrooms and delicate noodles create a symphony of textures that dance across your plate.

Fragrant parmesan cheese sprinkled generously adds a golden, crispy dimension to this classic Italian-American dish.

Weeknight dinners deserve something special, and this recipe promises to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

Layers of flavor meld together, promising a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Prepare to fall in love with a dinner that brings pure, uncomplicated joy to your table.

Chicken Tetrazzini Ingredient List

• Rotisserie Chicken: Tender, pre-cooked chicken perfect for easy meal preparation.
• Chicken Broth: Rich and flavorful base for the creamy sauce.

• Noodles: Classic pasta for a comforting casserole dish.
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese, Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Melty and delicious cheese blend for topping and mixing.
• Heavy Cream: Smooth and rich sauce ingredient.
• Butter: Helps grease the casserole dish and adds richness.

• Dried Parsley: Light herb for garnish and flavor.
• Seasoning Salt: Adds extra flavor to the dish.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy kick for serving.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings for overall taste.

Chicken Tetrazzini Cooking Method

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Get your oven warming up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, creating the perfect environment for baking this delicious casserole.

Step 2: Cook the Noodles

Boil the pasta in salted water until it reaches al dente perfection, following the package instructions.

Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients until they form a smooth, velvety mixture.

Your sauce will be the flavor foundation of this comforting dish.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Filling

• Cooked pasta
• Shredded chicken
• Half of the shredded cheese

Ensure every noodle gets a luxurious coating of the creamy sauce.

Step 5: Prepare the Casserole Dish

Generously butter the bottom and sides of a casserole dish.

Transfer the pasta mixture, spreading it evenly to create a beautiful, inviting layer.

Step 6: Add the Finishing Touches

Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.

Dust with dried parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven.

Bake for 35 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and the edges become bubbly and irresistible.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

• Seasoning salt
• Red pepper flakes

Pair with warm dinner rolls, steamed broccoli, or a crisp salad for a complete and satisfying dinner.

Tips for Chicken Tetrazzini Perfection

• Rinse noodles under cold water after boiling to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch, ensuring a perfect texture in your tetrazzini.
• Use rotisserie chicken or freshly cooked, shredded chicken breast for maximum moisture and flavor in the dish, avoiding dry meat chunks.
• Sprinkle cheese in layers to achieve even melting and prevent burning, creating a golden, bubbling top with rich, creamy consistency.
• Adjust red pepper flakes and seasoning salt to personal taste preferences, allowing each diner to enhance their individual plate's flavor profile.
• Generously butter the casserole dish bottom and sides to ensure easy serving and prevent pasta from clinging to the baking surface.

Chicken Tetrazzini Storage and Reheat Ideas

• Store leftover chicken tetrazzini in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Seal in freezer-safe containers to prevent freezer burn.
• Preheat to 350°F, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to restore crispy cheese topping.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Sides to Serve with Chicken Tetrazzini

• Savor Complementary Wine Pairings: Chardonnay's buttery notes perfectly complement the creamy chicken tetrazzini, balancing its rich sauce and delicate flavors.
• Enhance with Crisp Salad: Create a light green salad with tangy vinaigrette to cut through the dish's richness, adding fresh contrast and cleansing the palate.
• Boost with Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up the creamy sauce, providing a delightful textural companion that elevates the entire meal experience.
• Refresh with Citrus Drink: Pair with a lemon-infused sparkling water or light white wine spritzer to brighten the dish's heaviness and provide a refreshing counterpoint.

Chicken Tetrazzini Style Variations

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free noodles and use gluten-free breadcrumbs for topping. Swap wheat flour for cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend in the sauce.
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Substitute rotisserie chicken with firm tofu, mushrooms, or plant-based chicken alternative. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock for the sauce base.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. Use cauliflower cream sauce and reduce cheese quantity to lower carbohydrate content.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use dairy-free cheese substitutes, coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and nutritional yeast for cheese flavor. Choose almond or oat milk as a base for the sauce.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in Chicken Tetrazzini?

The key ingredients include pasta noodles, rotisserie chicken, shredded cheese, and a creamy sauce base made with various dairy ingredients like cream or milk.

• Is this dish considered Italian or American?

Chicken Tetrazzini is actually an American dish, named after an Italian opera singer but created in the United States, specifically in San Francisco.

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, while traditional Tetrazzini uses spaghetti, you can substitute with other pasta like fettuccine, linguine, or even penne without significantly changing the dish’s character.

• How can I make this recipe more nutritious?

Add vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or peas directly into the mixture to increase the nutritional value and add more texture to the dish.

What Makes Chicken Tetrazzini So Rich and Creamy

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with creamy sauce, tender chicken, and melted cheese, this dish delivers ultimate comfort food vibes that will have everyone at the dinner table asking for seconds.
• Quick Family Meal: Designed to be a hassle-free solution for weeknight dinners, this recipe comes together quickly and satisfies picky eaters with its familiar, cheesy pasta goodness.
• Versatile Serving Options: Easily customize with side dishes like steamed broccoli, salad, or warm dinner rolls, allowing you to adapt the meal to your family's taste preferences and nutritional needs.

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken tetrazzini brings Italian-American comfort to dinner tables with its rich, cheesy pasta delight. Hearty layers of tender chicken, mushrooms, and perfectly cooked noodles create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded

Pasta:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) linguini (can also use fettuccine, spaghetti, bucatini)

Cheese:

• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Other Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter, softened (for buttering the casserole dish)

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Instructions

1. Warm the kitchen oven to a steady 375 degrees fahrenheit, ensuring optimal temperature for baking.
2. Cook pasta noodles until perfectly tender, following package guidelines, while simultaneously preparing the creamy sauce mixture.
3. Whisk together sauce components until achieving a smooth, silky consistency, creating a luxurious base for the dish.
4. Gently fold half of the shredded cheese varieties into the sauce, incorporating tender rotisserie chicken pieces and cooked noodles, ensuring every strand is generously coated.
5. Thoroughly grease a casserole dish with butter, creating a non-stick surface for the pasta mixture.
6. Transfer the noodle blend into the prepared dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer of deliciousness.
7. Sprinkle remaining cheese across the top, creating a golden blanket of melty goodness, and dust with dried parsley for added color and flavor.
8. Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for approximately 35 minutes until the surface transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece.
9. Once removed from the oven, enhance the dish with a light sprinkle of seasoning salt and red pepper flakes for an extra flavor kick.
10. Complement the tetrazzini with warm dinner rolls, crisp steamed broccoli, and a fresh garden salad for a complete, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Perfectly cook pasta al dente to maintain a slight bite and prevent mushy texture when baking.
• Use rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor and convenience, saving time on cooking and shredding chicken from scratch.
• Customize the dish for dietary needs by substituting gluten-free pasta, low-fat cheese, or plant-based alternatives for a lighter version.
• Enhance leftovers by adding a crispy breadcrumb topping before final baking or mixing in extra vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg