Creamy & Foolproof Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Whipping up a delectable chicken tetrazzini brings pure comfort to your weeknight dinner table.

Pasta lovers will adore this creamy classic that combines tender chicken and rich flavors.

Nostalgic and satisfying, the dish promises a hearty meal with minimal preparation effort.

Creamy sauce envelops perfectly cooked noodles and succulent chicken pieces in every delightful bite.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together without complicated techniques.

Mushrooms and parmesan cheese add depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.

You can customize this meal to match your family’s taste preferences with simple ingredient swaps.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to create a crowd-pleasing dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Easy Chicken Tetrazzini So Cozy

• Quick Family Dinner Hero: Perfect weeknight meal that transforms simple ingredients into a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish with minimal kitchen effort.
• Comfort Food Champion: Creamy, cheesy pasta casserole delivers ultimate satisfaction with rich, indulgent flavors that warm hearts and fill bellies quickly.
• Meal Prep Magic: Easily prepared ahead of time, this recipe allows busy home cooks to assemble the dish in advance and bake when ready to serve, saving precious evening cooking time.
• Flexible Flavor Maker: Adaptable recipe welcomes ingredient swaps like different proteins or vegetables, making it a versatile option for using pantry staples and reducing food waste.

Chicken Tetrazzini Ingredients

• Fettuccine Noodles: Classic pasta that serves as the hearty foundation of the dish, perfect for holding the creamy sauce.

• Chicken, Mushrooms, Onions, Garlic: Flavorful combination that provides protein and depth, choose boneless and skinless chicken breasts for easy preparation.
• Thyme: Aromatic herb that adds earthy undertones to the dish.

• White Wine, Olive Oil, Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps develop sauce base, use dry white wine for best results.
• Flour, Milk, Cream, Chicken Broth: Essential for creating creamy, smooth sauce that binds all ingredients together.
• Nutmeg, Seasoned Salt, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Balanced seasoning blend that enhances overall flavor profile.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty notes and helps thicken the sauce.

• Parsley, Breadcrumbs: Provides fresh herb flavor and crunchy texture contrast to the creamy dish, fresh parsley recommended for brightest flavor.

Chicken Tetrazzini Easy Recipe Method

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Dish

Warm up your oven to a toasty 375°F.

Grab a large baking dish and give it a light coating of cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil the fettuccine noodles until they’re perfectly al dente.

Once done, drain and set aside, ready to become part of your creamy masterpiece.

Step 3: Sauté the Veggie Medley

Heat up a large skillet with olive oil and butter.

• Sliced mushrooms
• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Fresh thyme leaves

Cook these flavor bombs until they’re tender and fragrant, about 6-7 minutes.

Step 4: Add Wine Magic

Pour in white wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to reduce and concentrate the flavors.

Step 5: Create the Creamy Sauce Base

In a separate saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to create a smooth roux.

• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth

Sprinkle in nutmeg, seasoned salt, kosher salt, and black pepper.

Let the sauce thicken for 5-7 minutes until it coats the back of a spoon.

Step 6: Combine All the Goodness

• Sautéed vegetables
• Cooked chicken
• Pasta
• Chopped parsley
• Parmesan cheese

Toss everything until it’s beautifully coated in the creamy sauce.

Step 7: Assemble and Top

Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish.

Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and remaining parsley for a crunchy, golden finish.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

You’re looking for a golden-brown top and bubbling edges.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Allow the tetrazzini to rest for 5 minutes after baking.

This helps the sauce set and makes serving easier.

Scoop out generous portions and enjoy the ultimate comfort food!

Prep Tips for Chicken Tetrazzini

• Toss the cooked fettuccine with a splash of olive oil immediately after draining to stop the noodles from sticking together and ensure a smooth, silky texture.
• Toast the flour briefly in butter before adding liquids to eliminate raw flour taste and develop a richer, more complex background flavor for the sauce.
• Use rotisserie or leftover roasted chicken for extra flavor, or poach chicken breasts in broth for tender, juicy meat that absorbs the sauce beautifully.
• Mix breadcrumbs with a little melted butter and grated Parmesan before sprinkling on top to guarantee a golden, crunchy, and irresistible crust.
• Swap regular pasta for gluten-free options, use almond milk instead of cream, and substitute chicken with mushrooms for a vegetarian version that's equally delicious.

Chicken Tetrazzini Storage Plan

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, ensuring the dish stays fresh and tasty.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, keeping the tetrazzini good for 2-3 months.
• Warm at 350°F covered with foil for 15-20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes to restore crispness.
• Heat individual portions in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.

Chicken Tetrazzini Complements to Try

• Pair Crisp Chardonnay: Smooth white wine complements the creamy sauce and cuts through rich chicken tetrazzini, balancing its velvety texture with bright, citrusy undertones.
• Serve Crusty Garlic Bread: Warm, toasted bread provides delightful crunch and absorbs the luxurious sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience with its complementary garlic notes.
• Create Fresh Green Salad: Light, tangy salad with vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the heavy, creamy pasta dish, adding brightness and balancing the meal's richness.
• Match Pinot Noir: Light-bodied red wine with subtle fruit flavors pairs wonderfully with chicken, providing a gentle complement to the dish's earthy mushroom and herb elements.

Chicken Tetrazzini Done In Simple New Ways

• Gluten-Free Chicken Tetrazzini: Replace regular fettuccine with gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free flour for the roux. Swap breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour.
• Vegetarian Tetrazzini: Substitute chicken with roasted portobello mushrooms or plant-based chicken alternative. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for deeper flavor.
• Low-Carb Version: Swap pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Reduce flour quantity and use heavy cream for a thicker sauce without extra carbohydrates.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace milk and cream with unsweetened almond milk or coconut cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese and dairy-free butter substitute.

FAQs

• What is the origin of Chicken Tetrazzini?

The dish was named after Luisa Tetrazzini, an Italian opera singer popular in the early 20th century, and was likely created in San Francisco as a tribute to her.

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

Yes, while fettuccine is traditional, you can substitute with spaghetti, linguine, or penne depending on your preference and what you have available.

• Is Chicken Tetrazzini considered a comfort food?

Absolutely! It’s a creamy, hearty casserole that combines pasta, chicken, and a rich sauce, making it a classic comfort food loved by many families.

• How can I make this recipe more budget-friendly?

Use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from a previous meal, and consider using less expensive mushrooms like white button mushrooms instead of more costly varieties.

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken tetrazzini delivers comfort in every forkful, blending tender pasta, succulent chicken, and rich parmesan sauce. Hearty Italian-American classic promises a delightful meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 3 cups cubed rotisserie or roast chicken meat
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Base:

• 1 pound dry fettuccini noodles
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1/2 pound button mushrooms, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, divided
• 1/2 cup semi-dry or dry white wine
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the culinary workspace by heating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously coating a spacious baking vessel with non-stick preparation.
2. Submerge fettuccine in boiling water, following package instructions for precise cooking. Carefully drain and reserve the pasta.
3. Activate a large skillet with olive oil and butter, creating a flavor-rich environment. Introduce mushrooms, onions, garlic, and thyme, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence for approximately 6–7 minutes.
4. Deglaze the pan with white wine, permitting the liquid to reduce and concentrate its flavors over 2–3 minutes.
5. Initiate a separate sauce preparation by melting remaining butter. Incorporate flour to construct a velvety roux, cooking briefly to eliminate raw flour taste.
6. Gradually introduce milk, cream, and chicken broth, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Enhance with nutmeg, seasoned salt, kosher salt, and black pepper.
7. Simmer the sauce until it reaches a luxurious, thickened consistency, typically requiring 5–7 minutes of attentive stirring.
8. Fold sautéed vegetables, tender chicken pieces, perfectly cooked pasta, half the chopped parsley, and Parmesan cheese into the creamy sauce, ensuring each ingredient is elegantly coated.
9. Transfer the harmonious mixture to the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.
10. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and remaining parsley across the surface for a delightful textural contrast.
11. Bake in the preheated oven until the top transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece, approximately 25–30 minutes.
12. Allow the dish to rest and settle for 5 minutes before serving, enabling flavors to meld and sauce to stabilize.

Notes

• Experiment with gluten-free pasta alternatives like rice or chickpea noodles for a celiac-friendly version.
• Swap chicken with tofu or roasted vegetables to create a vegetarian-friendly dish that’s equally delicious and satisfying.
• Use leftover rotisserie chicken or quickly poach chicken breasts to save time and add extra flavor to the tetrazzini.
• Prepare the entire casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for a convenient make-ahead meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 701
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 751 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 122 mg