Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (2024)

HomeRecipe ListMain DishChicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Posted by Aimee 258 comments
Published: Jun 24, 2020 Last Updated: Sep 26, 2023

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Chicken Tetrazzini is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that the whole family will love. Easy to make and freezer friendly, it’s a great casserole to share with friends.

Use up some leftover turkey breast and whip up a dish of this easy, cheesy Turkey Tetrazzini for the holidays!

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (1)

Comfort Food for Dinner

All of my children have left the nest, and this Chicken Tetrazzini recipe is what they always request when they come home.

It’s delicious comfort food, a great recipe, and easy to make ahead of time too!

This is also one of those recipes I like to keep on hand for when I want to bring a family in need a hearty meal, or a new mom a dinner! It gets rave reviews, and I even made a video tutorial to show you how to make chicken tetrazzini!

This cheesy dish needs to happen in your kitchen. It makes a big 13×9 pan, but you can split it into two dishes (2qt or 8-inch square) and share it with a neighbor or friend in need!

This dish ALWAYS gets people asking for the recipe, and once you try it, you’ll understand why our family loved it!!

FAVORITE PASTA DINNERS: Penne Rosa | Pizza Stuffed Shells

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (2)

Ingredient Notes

  • Chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken- we love this easy shredded chicken recipe!
  • Cream of Chicken Soup- Every instinct is going to make you want to sub for something homemade and from scratch, but this is one of those times that comfort food wins, and the canned stuff just tastes better! (here’s our favorite homemade cream of chicken soup though)
  • Unsalted butter
  • Sour cream– or plain greek yogurt
  • Dry white wine– (or chicken broth)
  • Salt and pepper
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Spaghetti noodles – can also use any other pasta of choice.
  • onions, garlic, and mushrooms optional

How to make Chicken Tetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (3)
  • Cook the chicken. You’ll want to start by baking chicken or using leftover turkey, rotisserie chicken, or leftover cooked chicken. If I’m in a hurry, I’ll boil some boneless skinless chicken breasts in a pot of water with salt and pepper to use in this cheesy dish!
  • Cook the pasta. Pick your favorite kind of pasta and cook it until al dente.

What is al dente pasta? It just means that the pasta is still slightly firm. Because you will be baking this dish, you don’t want your pasta too soft and mushy!

  • Combine Ingredients. While you are cooking pasta and chicken, combine the remaining ingredients in a very large bowl. Add your hot pasta and your cooked (diced) chicken to the bowl and mix until blended.
  • Assemble and Bake. Pour into a large 13×9 baking dish (or two smaller pans). Bake covered for about 45 minutes, then remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, until bubbly and cheese is melted.

Make in Advance: Refrigerate and cover until ready to heat. If cooking from cold, add bake for one hour, then uncovered for 20 minutes. ENJOY.

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (4)

Serving Suggestions

Chicken Tetrazzini is one of those easy dinner recipes that goes great with any green salad or garlic bread!

  • Easy, butteryBeer Breadrecipe to serve with dinner! Also great to cube into bite sized pieces and use for dips!
  • This deliciousSpinach and Bacon Saladis a breeze to prepare! Thesweet dressing with thesaltybacon keeps you wanting more!
  • Looking for a fresh bowl of homemade applesauce for dinner tonight? ThisInstant Pot Applesaucerecipe is super quick and easy!
  • Don’t forget to finish the meal with a fresh batch or rice krispie treats!

Recipe FAQs

Can you freeze Chicken Tetrazzini

Yes! Assemble the chicken tetrazzini casserole in a freezer safe dish. When opting to freeze this dinner, I usually choose a foil pan for freezing. Cover with foil and freeze for up to two months.
To serve, thaw in refrigerator overnight, and bake accordingly.

What goes with Chicken Tetrazzini

Serve this delicious pasta dish with Olive Garden breadsticks and Olive Garden Italian salad for the perfect meal.

Can I make tetrazzini without mushrooms?

Absolutely. Leave out the mushrooms or add in extra depending on your taste buds. You can also add in fresh cut broccoli florets!

Can Chicken Tetrazzini be made ahead of time?

Yes. Before baking, cover with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from fridge and add 10-15 minutes baking time.

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (5)

More Easy Chicken Recipes

  • Panda Express Orange Chicken
  • Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
  • Buffalo Chicken Pasta
  • Massaman Curry
  • Chicken Taco Soup

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Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (10)

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Chicken Tetrazzini

4.87 from 191 votes

By: Aimee

Chicken Tetrazzini is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that the whole family will love. Easy to make and freezer friendly, it's a great casserole to share with friends.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 16 ounce thin spaghetti cooked (or any of your favorite noodles)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken about 1 pound
  • ½ cup unsalted butter plus more for buttering pan
  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  • Combine 1/2 cup butter, cooked chicken, soup, sour cream, salt, pepper and white wine. Add cooked noodles.

  • Pour into a buttered 13×9. Sprinkle both cheeses on top.

  • Bake in a 300 degree oven for 45 minutes, covered with foil. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes.

  • May be made in advance and refrigerated (before cooking). However, add time if that is the case to heat thoroughly! Enjoy!

Notes

  • Can you freeze Chicken Tetrazzini? Yes! Assemble the chicken tetrazzini casserole in a freezer safe dish. When opting to freeze this dinner, I usually choose a foil pan for freezing. Cover with foil and freeze for up to two months.To serve, thaw in refrigerator overnight, and bake accordingly.
  • Can I make tetrazzini with or without mushrooms? Absolutely. Leave out the mushrooms or add in extra depending on your taste buds. You can also add in fresh cut broccoli florets!
  • Can Chicken Tetrazzini be made ahead of time? Yes. Before baking, cover with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.When ready to bake, remove from fridge and add 10-15 minutes baking time.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips, tricks, and ingredient substitutions.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 79mg, Sodium: 893mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Creamy baked Chicken Tetrazzini recipe is the best weeknight dinner recipe your family will love! Easy and delicious.

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is chicken Tetrazzini sauce made of? ›

What you need for creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Sauce. Here's what you need to make the cream sauce for Chicken Tetrazzini: butter, flour, chicken broth/stock, milk, cream and cheese. The basis of Tetrazzini sauce is a béchamel sauce.

What makes Tetrazzini? ›

Tetrazzini is an Italian-American dish made with diced poultry or seafood and in a butter, cream or milk and cheese sauce flavored with sherry or white wine, and combined with linguine, spaghetti, egg noodles, or other types of pasta, sometimes topped with breadcrumbs or cheese, and garnished with parsley or basil.

What wine goes with chicken Tetrazzini? ›

Go for a lightly oaked Chardonnay or other smooth dry white like oaked Chenin Blanc or Viognier with: Chicken in a creamy sauce, such as chicken alfredo or creamy chicken pies. Creamy or cheesy chicken pasta dishes like chicken tetrazzini.

Who invented chicken Tetrazzini? ›

The dish is named after the famous Italian-born opera star Luisa Tetrazzini. It is widely believed to have been invented ca. 1908-1910 by Ernest Arbogast, then chef at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California, where Tetrazzini was a long-time resident.

How do you thicken Tetrazzini sauce? ›

Pro tips for this recipe

You can leave out the chicken and use vegetable stock to make this vegetarian. When making the sauce add the liquids (stock, milk, and cream) in gradually allowing the mixture to thicken each time. The sauce thickens much quicker this way.

What is Tetrazzini in English? ›

a hodgepodge; confused medley; jumble. an extensive array or variety. total obscuration in an eclipse.

Why is it called chicken Tetrazzini? ›

It is supposedly named for Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini, and was made by the chef at her hotel in the early 1900s. Chicken tetrazzini is a baked casserole made with poultry or seafood, and mixed with dairy and pasta that is topped with cheese and breadcrumbs.

What are 5 components of a casserole? ›

Let's talk anatomy: A standard dinner casserole usually includes a protein, a starch, a vegetable, a sauce (or other binding ingredient), and cheese. But making a casserole is not an exact science, and you can definitely break away from this formula. Check out some fun side-dish casseroles and desserts below!

What is the difference between tetrazzini and a La King? ›

It turns out the difference is that Chicken Tetrazzini has cheese in it and Chicken à la King does not. In the 1950s, you would open a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, a package of frozen peas, carrots, a can of sliced mushrooms, some Velveeta cheese, and chicken or turkey and voila...an abomination!

Which white wine is best with chicken? ›

White Meat vs. Dark Meat – As a general rule, white meat such as chicken or turkey breast pairs well with white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, while dark meat like duck and other game go well with medium-bodied red wines such as Pinot Noir or Zinfandel.

Why do you put white wine on chicken? ›

The guideline is based on that (many) red wines are high in grape tannin. This element of flavor tends to go well with the higher fat levels in many red meats. In lighter foods, like a lot of white fish and chicken, the tannin can over power the lighter foods.

What wine is best with chicken in cream sauce? ›

If you need a wine to pair with chicken with cream sauce or the best wine for Chicken with Cream Sauce, you could try a Chardonnay to go with it. (shar-doh-NAY): A full-bodied white with buttery flavors and vanilla, butterscotch and oak notes.

What country is Tetrazzini from? ›

Chicken Tetrazzini is an American dish. It's unclear which chef, but a chef, created it in honor of Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini when she debuted as Gilda in Rigoletto in San Francisco in 1905.

Why is it called Turkey Tetrazzini? ›

Tetrazzini is thought to have been originated in San Francisco, named after a famous opera singer of the early 1900s—Luisa Tetrazzini—who lived there for many years. To my mother, however, turkey Tetrazzini is just another way of saying turkey casserole.

What is turkey Tetrazzini made of? ›

It's a baked pasta recipe using a creamy, cheesy white wine sauce as the base. Cooked spaghetti, mushrooms, green peas, black olives, turkey, and bacon make up the bulk of the casserole and then it gets topped with panko breadcrumbs.

What is this pink sauce stuff? ›

Ingredients disclosed on the Pink Sauce website include water, sunflower seed oil, raw honey, distilled vinegar, garlic, pitaya or dragon fruit, pink Himalayan sea salt, dried spices, lemon juice, milk, and citric acid.

What is cream pasta sauce called? ›

Types of pasta sauce with cream and butter
  • Alfredo. A good alfredo sauce starts with generous amounts of both cream and butter to create a thick, wholesome sauce that pairs well with a long noodle such as linguine. ...
  • Brown butter sauce. ...
  • Burro. ...
  • Cacio e pepe. ...
  • Carbonara.
Feb 2, 2022

What is creamy pasta sauce called? ›

While bechamel sauce is made with milk and flour, alfredo sauce is mainly made with heavy cream and cheese. Both have a creamy texture that thoroughly coats pasta noodles, but bechamel tends to be thicker than alfredo sauce.

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