Chicken Tetrazzini is an easy make ahead dinner that is full of comfort. Made with a creamy delicious sauce and baked with spaghetti and chicken, your family will devour this classic dinner.
In the never-ending quest to find recipes that my family can come together around the table and enjoy, I have a delicious casserole for you. This Chicken Tetrazzini is always a big hit with my whole family.
This recipe is easy to follow and results in a creamy noodle casserole. Big warm bowls of this chicken tetrazzini casserole are bite after bite of comfort.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you can prepare the whole thing the night before and then put it in the oven when you get home from work. You could even freeze this noodle dish and pull it out in the middle of a busy week.
I made this last week for dinner and it was INCREDIBLE!!! Thank you for this recipe, it will be made again and again at our house!
How to Make Chicken Tetrazzini
While this is an easy recipe, it does involve a few moving pieces, so I suggest reading this brief overview. Get the full ingredients and instructions at the bottom of the post.
Boil the Spaghetti
Bring a large pot of water to a roaring boil and add salt. Add the pasta, and drain it two minutes earlier than is suggested on the box.
Make the Sauce
Start by sauteing the mushrooms in butter. Then you will be whisking in flour to create a roux. Finally, you will add in chicken stock, milk, and spices.
Finish off the Sauce and Put it All Together
After simmering for five minutes, add cheese and sour cream and stir to combine. Mix everything together in the casserole dish, sprinkle the top with more cheese, and then bake for 30 minutes.
Tips and Tricks
- Making a roux: A roux is the backbone of cream sauces. The fat coats the flour, suspending it in the sauce and preventing the sauce from separating when it is hit with high heat on the stovetop or in the oven. In this recipe, we combine the butter we used to sauté the mushrooms with flour. Then we add chicken stock and milk slowly at first (about two tablespoons at a time) and then more quickly.
- Using cream of mushroom soup: If you want to use store-bought canned soup instead to speed things up, you will want to leave out the butter, mushrooms, flour, chicken stock, and milk. (I recommend still using the seasonings.) Replace them with two 10-ounce cans.
- Using different noodles: You will notice that in my Turkey Tetrazzini we use egg noodles. For this one, I decided to go with spaghetti. You really can use any noodle you like. Just make sure that you cook for two minutes less than is listed on the package, as the noodles will continue cooking in the casserole.
- Using cooked chicken: This recipe does call for cooked chicken and I have listed in the notes of the recipe card three methods: cooking it on the stovetop, using an instant pot to cook it, or using a rotisserie chicken from the store. I also love keeping shredded chicken in my freezer, just thaw in the refrigerator before overnight before making this.
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in the oven in a covered dish for 40 minutes, at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You may need to add some milk or chicken stock so that it doesn’t dry out.
Making Ahead
My recipe for chicken tetrazzini is great to prepare the night before. Just wrap it in aluminum foil and put it right in the preheated oven when you are ready to eat. It will take a few extra minutes (5 to 10) to cook, but will be delicious. Store the uncooked recipe in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
Freezing Chicken Tetrazzini
This is also a great recipe to make and stick in your freezer for a busy day. I like to store freezer casseroles in a disposable baking dish. Wrap it very well and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake the following night, keeping in mind you will need to add a little bit of time as it will be going in the oven cold.
What to Serve with Chicken Tetrazzini
Here are a few recipes that would go great with this delicious casserole.
- My roasted broccoli is a great way to add in some vegetables to this recipe.
- A simple chopped salad is fantastic to go with a pasta dish.
- I adore this creamed spinach recipe and it’s a great way to add some veggies to dinner.
If you make this easy Chicken Tetrazzini recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
Chicken Tetrazzini
Ingredients
- 16 ounces uncooked spaghetti (453.6 grams)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (113 grams)
- 16 ounces mushrooms chopped small (453.6 grams)
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour (40 grams)
- 2 cups chicken stock (453.5 grams or 473.2 ml)
- 1 1/4 cups milk (283.75 grams or 295.7 ml)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup sour cream (227 grams)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese divided (226 grams)
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded and cut into bite sized pieces (see notes) (141.7 grams)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan shredded (25 grams)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season the water with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon table salt). Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions.16 ounces uncooked spaghetti
- While the spaghetti is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet. Add the mushrooms and saute until they are soft, about 4 to 6 minutes.8 tablespoons unsalted butter, 16 ounces mushrooms
- Whisk in the flour and then very slowly whisk in the chicken stock. Add just a few tablespoons at a time, whisking to combine them, until it is completely added. The more you add, the more quickly you can go. The whole process should take about a minute or 2.1/3 cup all purpose flour, 2 cups chicken stock
- Whisk in the milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.1 1/4 cups milk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Bring to a simmer, and then cook, stirring often, over low heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and 1 cup mozzarella, taste, and add more salt and pepper if needed.1 cup sour cream, 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- Add cooked spaghetti and chicken to the prepared baking dish. Stir in the sauce. Top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.2 cups cooked chicken, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 2 cups mozzarella cheese
Recipe Video
Notes
- Stovetop: Place it in a sauce pan with enough wanter to cover it. Bring the water to a boil and cook for 7 to 10 minutes or until the chicken registers 165 degrees with an instant read thermometer.
- Instant Pot Chicken: Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of an Instant Pot. Add wire rack and place chicken on top. Set Instant Pot to manual, high pressure, 8 minutes. At the end of the cook time, vent to release the steam.
- Rotisserie Chicken: Buying a rotisserie chicken is a great quick way to make this recipe. I like to buy several at Costco, shred and freeze them. You can see my instructions here: How to Freeze Chicken.
Brenda says
After looking at several tetrazzini recipes I decided on this one, and it didn’t disappoint. Others called for canned soup which has loads of sodium and tastes artificial to me. I love the homemade sauce which doesn’t really take that long and the flavor is delish. Kids really liked it!!!
I’m so glad to hear it, Brenda!
June Padelford says
I plan on making a few of your Recipes. I plan on starting out with 2 of them. Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, and Chicken Tetrazzini. I am looking forward to tasting both of them. I will let you know how they turn out.
I hope you enjoy both!
Kim says
This is delicious. The sauce is so good, tasty and creamy. Everyone loved it. Thank you.
I’m so glad that it was a hit!
Kris says
I halved the recipe since just two of us were eating. I left out the mushrooms but added green onions & bacon. I ended up adding more sour cream also since it turned out pretty thick. It was delicious!
I’m glad you liked it!