Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe: Creamy Comfort Food Magic

Crafting a delightful chicken tetrazzini recipe sparks joy in any kitchen adventure.

Pasta lovers will adore this creamy, comforting dish that combines tender chicken with silky noodles.

Layers of rich, velvety sauce embrace each strand of spaghetti with pure deliciousness.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary when this classic Italian-American casserole arrives at the table.

Busy home cooks appreciate how quickly these ingredients come together without complicated techniques.

Perfectly balanced flavors make this dish a crowd-pleasing favorite that everyone will request again and again.

You’ll want to savor every single cheesy, creamy bite of this irresistible meal.

What Makes Easy Chicken Tetrazzini A Favorite

• Create a Crowd-Pleaser: A one-dish wonder that satisfies everyone from picky kids to discerning adults, guaranteeing clean plates and happy smiles.
• Master Restaurant-Quality Cooking: Impress your family and guests with a professional-looking dish that tastes like it came straight from a gourmet kitchen, without requiring advanced culinary skills.
• Transform Leftovers into Magic: Seamlessly blend chicken, pasta, and creamy sauce into a delectable casserole that breathes new life into ingredients, reducing food waste and maximizing flavor.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows you to swap ingredients, add vegetables, or experiment with different cheeses, making it perfect for creative home cooks who love personalization.

What You’ll Need For Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

• Chicken Breasts: A lean protein that adds substantial texture and flavor to the creamy pasta dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: A sharp, aged cheese that provides a rich, nutty taste and helps thicken the sauce.

• Pasta: The foundational ingredient that creates a hearty and satisfying base for the meal.
• Breadcrumbs: A crispy topping that adds a delightful crunch and golden texture to the baked dish.

• Butter: A rich ingredient that creates a smooth, velvety base for the sauce.
• Garlic: A pungent aromatic that adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
• Mushrooms: A savory vegetable that contributes an earthy and umami dimension to the dish.
• White Wine: A sophisticated liquid that helps deglaze the pan and concentrate flavors.
• Heavy Cream: A luxurious ingredient that creates a silky and rich sauce.
• Milk: A lighter dairy component that helps balance the cream's intensity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the dish's flavors.
• Fresh Parsley: A bright herb that adds a fresh, green garnish and light herbal note.

Steps To Make Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 375°F and lightly grease a large baking dish to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Boil pasta in generously salted water until it reaches that dreamy al dente texture. Drain and keep a tiny bit of pasta water on standby.

Step 3: Sizzle The Garlic

In a spacious skillet, melt butter and dance those minced garlic bits around until they turn golden and release their amazing aroma.

Step 4: Mushroom Magic

Toss sliced mushrooms into the skillet, letting them release their moisture and transform into tender, caramelized delights.

Step 5: Wine Time

Pour white wine into the skillet, letting it simmer and reduce into a flavor-packed base that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Step 6: Create Creamy Goodness

Blend heavy cream and milk into the skillet, whisking continuously to craft a silky-smooth sauce. Let it simmer and get cozy.

Step 7: Season And Cheese It Up

Sprinkle in salt and black pepper, then fold in parmesan cheese until it melts completely and becomes one with the sauce.

Step 8: Chicken Cuddle

Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and gently fold them into the creamy sauce, ensuring every morsel gets a luxurious coating.

Step 9: Pasta Party

Mix the prepared pasta with chicken and sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if things look too thick.

Step 10: Baking Dish Beautification

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly like a delicious blanket.

Step 11: Crispy Topping

Shower breadcrumbs and extra parmesan cheese over the top, creating a golden, crunchy crown.

Step 12: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and edges bubble with excitement.

Step 13: Rest And Settle

Pull the dish out and let it rest for 5-7 minutes, allowing flavors to mingle and sauce to set.

Step 14: Fresh Finish

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top, adding a burst of color and a zesty fresh note to your incredible creation.

Smart Tips For Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

• Master Timing for Perfect Pasta: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring a perfect texture when baked in the creamy sauce.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Add reserved pasta water gradually to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick, maintaining a smooth and creamy consistency.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Sauté garlic and mushrooms until caramelized to develop rich, complex underlying flavors in the dish.
• Select Quality Cheese: Use freshly grated parmesan for superior melting and a more intense, authentic taste compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
• Layer Breadcrumbs Strategically: Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly to create a uniform golden-brown crust that adds delightful crunch to the creamy casserole.

Fun Twists On Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

• Vegetarian Mushroom Delight: Replace chicken with extra firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, keeping the creamy mushroom sauce intact for a meat-free protein option.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free breadcrumbs, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy the same creamy experience.
• Lighter Cream Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for a lower-fat version that maintains the rich, velvety sauce texture.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Add red pepper flakes, swap white wine for dry vermouth, and incorporate sun-dried tomatoes and oregano for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired variation.

What Pairs Well With Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

• Savor Wine Harmony: Crisp Chardonnay pairs beautifully with the creamy chicken pasta, balancing the rich sauce with its bright, oak-kissed undertones and complementing the dish's velvety texture.
• Create Herbal Freshness: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley atop the dish, adding a vibrant green pop that cuts through the cream's richness and introduces a light, aromatic element.
• Match Crunchy Sidekick: Serve alongside a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette, providing a tangy, refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta and cleansing the palate between bites.
• Boost Bread Companion: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread or herbed focaccia to soak up the delicious creamy sauce, adding textural contrast and maximizing flavor absorption.

How To Store Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Right

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
• Pack the dish in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place leftovers in a baking dish, cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle until thoroughly warmed.

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Q&A

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

Yes, you can substitute the pasta with penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine. Choose a pasta shape that holds sauce well and has good texture.

• Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free pasta and replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.

• How can I make this recipe lighter or lower in calories?

Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. Use skinless chicken breast, reduce cheese quantity, and use less butter to decrease overall calorie content.

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in this classic chicken tetrazzini, a creamy pasta dish blending tender chicken, mushrooms, and parmesan in a luxurious sauce. Rich layers of flavor and texture create a satisfying meal that welcomes you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
• 1 lb spaghetti or linguine pasta
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced

Dairy and Sauce Components:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup milk

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup white wine

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing its surface to prevent sticking.
2. Cook the pasta in generously salted boiling water until it reaches an al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant and golden, approximately 1-2 minutes.
4. Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet, cooking until they release their moisture and become tender and slightly caramelized.
5. Pour white wine into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and reduce, which will concentrate the flavors and create a rich base for the sauce.
6. Incorporate heavy cream and milk into the skillet, stirring continuously to create a smooth, velvety sauce. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.
7. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and fold in grated parmesan cheese until completely melted and integrated.
8. Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and gently fold them into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
9. Combine the prepared pasta with the chicken and sauce, mixing thoroughly and adding reserved pasta water if the mixture seems too thick.
10. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly and creating a uniform layer.
11. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and additional parmesan cheese over the top, creating a golden, crispy crust.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the edges become slightly bubbly.
13. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-7 minutes to allow the sauce to set and flavors to meld.
14. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving, adding a bright, fresh note to the rich dish.

Notes

• Swap out heavy cream for lighter alternatives like Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories and create a healthier version of the dish.
• Experiment with gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
• Enhance the protein content by adding additional vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or peas to boost nutritional value and create more texture.
• For a vegetarian adaptation, replace chicken with plant-based protein such as tofu, tempeh, or roasted cauliflower, maintaining the creamy sauce’s rich flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 715
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg