Easy Chicken Tetrazzini (2024)

This Chicken Tetrazzini is easy, creamy, cheesy, delicious and loved by everyone! It’s classic comfort food and a perfect dinner for the entire family. Great make-ahead meal and freezer-friendly, too.

It’s one of my family’s favorite pasta dishes, served with homemade garlic bread and roasted carrots. Also great after Thanksgiving with leftover turkey!

What is Chicken Tetrazzini?

Chicken Tetrazzini is a pasta bake casserole made with diced up chicken or turkey (or even seafood), mushrooms, and a buttery, cream based sauce. The popular American dish was created by chef Ernest Arbogast in honor of the Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini, who debuted at his San Francisco hotel in the 1900’s.

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Chicken Tetrazzini is one of those dishes that when you make it for the very first time, you’ll think to yourself “what a strange combination of gloppy ingredients.” But then it cooks up all cheesy and bubbly, you take a bite, and you are all in. For life. HA. It’s one of the few meals I can remember passing the picky-eater test when my kids were very little, and they still love it today.

Ingredients Needed:

• Pasta – we use thin spaghetti, but you can really make this with any kind of noodles you have. It’s important to cook them al dente, because they will continue cooking as the casserole bakes and you don’t want the noodles to end up mushy.
• Chicken – I season and bake chicken breasts and then dice or shred them up, but rotisserie chicken is great, too. Light or dark meat are both delicious. (Also great with leftover turkey!)
• Sauce – this is one of the few recipes I make that calls for cream of canned goods. I’ve actually made a completely from scratch version and honestly, I don’t like it as much. Go figure. And this way is quicker! You’ll also need low-sodium chicken broth, melted butter, and sour cream.
• Seasonings – salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Cheese – a trio of shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan is delish!
• Peas – I love sweet peas in this casserole or frozen peas and carrots for added flavor and color. You can leave them out, if you prefer.

Pasta, chicken, sour cream, butter, and cheese…what’s not to love!

How to Make Chicken Tetrazzini

This dish only has a few simple steps and the prep is super easy. (Scroll down for the detailed printable recipe card.)

1. Start by baking and dicing up the cooked chicken (or simply use rotisserie chicken.)
2. Cook up the pasta according to package directions, al dente.
3. Combine the sauce ingredients and spices until fully incorporated. Mix in the chicken, pasta, and peas.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 casserole dish, sprinkle with the cheeses.
5. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15.
6. Let is rest for 5 minutes or so and dig in!

Make Ahead and Storing Leftovers

Can Chicken Tetrazzini be made ahead of time? Yes! This is a fantastic make-ahead meal. Make as instructed, but instead of baking, cover the casserole tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from fridge and add about 15 minutes onto the baking time.
How to freeze Chicken Tetrazzini: Prep according to the recipe in a freezer-safe casserole dish, cover tightly in plastic wrap and again in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake accordingly.
How to store leftovers: allow any leftovers to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Not only is this a great family meal, but also a sure winner when you need to bring something to a potluck or for a friend who’s just had a baby – she’ll be grateful!

Watch it Being Made

What to Serve with Chicken Tetrazzini

Some of our favorite sides for this dish include:

• Mushroom Rice
• Garlic Bread
• Roasted Carrots
• Simple Salad

I hope you love this delicious and simple recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!