Chicken Tetrazzini

5 from 14 votes

Posted: 05/12/23 Updated: 07/12/23

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You can’t beat a classic like this creamy, cheesy and delicious Chicken Tetrazzini! Chicken and pasta tossed in a creamy sauce with tons of flavor. It’s a classic comfort food that the entire family will love for dinner. It will be a repeat go-to recipe time and time again.

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Tongs with cheesy chicken tetrazzini in it

If you’re craving a hearty chicken casserole this chicken tetrazzini is the dish to make. It’s so easy I make it on repeat for my family!

If you’ve never tried it, tetrazzini is a type of baked pasta usually made with poultry and a creamy sauce. Some versions are very fancy (i.e. complicated!) but my recipe is so simple, kid-friendly, and seriously the best comfort food dinner for a busy weeknight.

A traditional chicken tetrazzini has mushrooms, so to cut the prep work down I use creamy mushroom soup so you still get the great mushroom flavor. I also add cream of chicken soup to make the sauce extra savory.

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What is Chicken Tetrazzini?

It is a classic American casserole dish that typically consists of chicken, mushrooms, and pasta, mixed with a creamy white sauce, and baked until golden brown.

The casserole was named after Luisa Tetrazzini, a popular Italian opera singer, and was first created in the early 20th century.

It is often served as a main course for dinner and is a great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey.

There are many variations of the recipe, with some including vegetables such as peas or carrots, and others adding different types of cheese or breadcrumbs for extra flavor and texture.

Why You’ll Love Chicken Tetrazzini!

Easy to make: Despite its fancy-sounding name, Chicken Tetrazzini is actually quite easy to make. You can whip up a batch in no time, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
Versatile: It can be customized to your liking. You can swap out the vegetables or use a different type of pasta, or different protein like turkey or ham, making it a great way to use up ingredients you have on hand.
Family-friendly: This dish is a crowd-pleaser, so it’s perfect for feeding the whole family. Even picky eaters will love the creamy sauce and tender chicken.

This is a stick-to-your-ribs cozy dinner that your family will love! Add some crispy broccoli or glazed carrots on the side for a delicious dinner.

Ingredients of Chicken Tetrazzini

Linguine – or any pasta shape that you like. This dish is traditionally made with a long pasta but other shapes like penne work or try some egg noodles.
Butter – Softened so it mixes easily.
Chicken – Cooked chicken breasts diced, shredded, or use rotisserie chicken to make it really easy. To use up leftovers diced ham or turkey is also delicious!
Soups – We use both cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup.
Sour cream – this makes the sauce extra creamy and gives it a tangy kick!
Salt and black pepper
Garlic powder – if you don’t have it on hand, onion powder will work, too.
Chicken broth – use low-sodium chicken broth if you prefer.
Frozen green peas
Shredded mozzarella cheese – Grabbing a block and shredding it yourself will give you the best melty results.
Chopped fresh parsley – I like to sprinkle this over the top for garnish, but it’s optional.

Products Needed

Ingredients for creamy sauce for tetrazzini

Noodles added to creamy tetrazzini mixture in bowl

How to Make Chicken Tetrazzini

Boil the linguine according to package directions and then drain it.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, cooked chicken, both soups, sour cream, all of the seasonings and spices, broth, and frozen peas. Mix well.
Add the cooked pasta to the bowl and stir to combine.
Pour the noodle mixture into the baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top.
Place the pan in the oven and bake the chicken tetrazzini at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until the casserole is warmed through and the cheese is melted and lightly golden in spots.

Pro Tips!

One thing I love about this chicken tetrazzini recipe is that it’s easy to adjust based on what I have on hand. Here are some of the swaps I’ve tried!

Pasta: As I mentioned, you can try different pasta shapes. The only type that doesn’t really work are little pasta shapes – I stick to the long pasta or ones that are similar to penne.

Sauce: You can add dried herbs to the sauce when you mix it. Try a teaspoon of dried oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning.

Meat: Sometimes I make it really easy and pick up a rotisserie chicken at the store or I use shredded chicken I cook myself. Try my easy crockpot or Instant Pot shredded chicken recipes. And, don’t forget, leftover roast turkey or slow cooker ham are a great way to put a twist on it.

Veggies: I love peas, but sometimes I add frozen chopped green beans or frozen chopped broccoli. You can add them right to the mixture – you don’t need to thaw them first unless the pieces are really big.

Cheese: Any good melting shredded cheese will work in this recipe. For a nuttier flavor try shredded Gruyere cheese. Or, use shredded cheddar – if you’re like me, you probably already have it on hand. Some shredded parmesan cheese on top is so good, too.

Make Ahead Tips!

You can assemble the casserole and cover it with foil. Chill it up to a day in advance and then remove the foil before baking it. You may need to add a little more baking time.

How to Store Leftover Chicken Tetrazzini

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container and they will keep for two to three days in the refrigerator.

Freezer: Store leftover in a freezer safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I freezer Tetrazzini?

Yes, it’s a great freezer meal. Assemble it, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil and it will keep in the freezer for up to a month. Thaw it in the refrigerator before baking it.

Serving Suggestions

Any cooked vegetable you like will pair well with this chicken casserole. We love asparagus or a simple tossed salad. For a really comforting dinner make a batch of garlic bread to go with it.

Chicken Tetrazzini in a bowl with parsley

Add this creamy chicken pasta to your meal plan and you won’t regret it! It’s so easy and tastes amazing! Especially on a chilly night when your family is craving something hearty. Enjoy!

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Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!