Get ready to fall in love with the coziest, creamiest comfort food around—my Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe! Imagine tender chicken, pasta, and melty cheese all baked together in a luscious, savory sauce. This dish is pure home-cooked magic, and I promise you, after one bite, you’ll understand why it’s a family favorite in my kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy Comfort: The sauce in this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe is so rich and velvety, every forkful is a little moment of bliss.
- Effortless for Busy Nights: It comes together with basic pantry staples and a few simple steps—perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping!
- Crowd-Pleasing & Kid-Approved: Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or hosting a potluck, everyone goes back for seconds.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble it ahead of time and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready—easy entertaining win!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how easy it is to get all the creamy, savory flavor of this dish with such simple ingredients! Every item truly serves a purpose—from the pasta’s satisfying bite to the cheeses that melt into dreamy golden goodness.
- Linguine pasta: Its thickness holds up beautifully to the rich sauce and cheesy toppings, giving every bite a perfect texture.
- Butter, melted: Adds luscious richness and helps create that silky sauce we all crave in a great Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe.
- Cream of mushroom soup: The unsung hero! This shortcut ingredient forms the creamy backbone and infuses subtle umami depth.
- Sour cream: Makes the sauce extra rich and tangy, balancing out the flavors for irresistible creaminess.
- Chicken broth: Adds flavor and keeps every bite moist without being heavy.
- Salt, garlic powder, & black pepper: Classic seasonings that wake up the sauce and make everything taste just right.
- Fresh parsley: Brings brightness and color, both inside and as a finishing touch on top.
- Chicken, cooked & shredded: Use rotisserie or leftover chicken for maximum convenience and tenderness.
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded: The perfect melty layer on top, making every bite gooey and craveable.
- Parmesan cheese, grated: Adds big, savory flavor and a golden, irresistible finish to your Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe is just how customizable it is. Don’t be shy—mix and match with what you have or tweak for your tastes, and make it truly your own!
- Swap the protein: Leftover turkey, rotisserie chicken, or even diced ham are all delicious alternatives in this cozy casserole.
- Change up the cheese: Try sharp cheddar or gouda for an extra punch of flavor, or add a sprinkle of fontina for ultimate meltiness.
- Add veggies: Toss in sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, peas, or spinach—this recipe is endlessly forgiving and veggies only make it heartier.
- Go gluten-free: Simply use gluten-free linguine or spaghetti and ensure your condensed soup is gluten-free too.
How to Make Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Start things off by boiling your linguine according to package directions. You want it just al dente since it’ll finish cooking in the oven. Drain well, but don’t rinse! The starch helps everything cling together in the casserole.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce
While the pasta’s cooking, grab a big mixing bowl and whisk together the melted butter, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk until the mixture is smooth—it should already look ultra-luxurious!
Step 3: Mix and Combine
Add in the chopped parsley, cooked chicken, and drained linguine. Stir gently so everything is evenly coated in that creamy, savory sauce. This step smells so good, you’ll want to sneak a bite already.
Step 4: Layer and Bake
Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13” casserole dish, smoothing it out. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the top, then cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 10 minutes for that bubbly, golden cheese crust—it’s impossible to resist.
Pro Tips for Making Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Freshly grated mozzarella and Parmesan melt smoother and give a richer flavor than the pre-shredded kind.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Boil until just al dente, or it can get too soft once baked with the sauce—no mush allowed in your Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe!
- Let It Rest: After baking, let your casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving so everything sets up and slices beautifully.
- Shortcut Chicken: Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe lightning fast to assemble, so don’t hesitate to grab one on busy days.
How to Serve Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley is a classic, adding both color and a verdant brightness that pops against the creamy cheese. For a little zing, try a dusting of extra Parmesan or even a squeeze of lemon just before serving. Your Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe will look—and taste—absolutely restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
I love pairing this casserole with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or warm rolls are perfect for soaking up every bit of that dreamy sauce. For a little more veg, simple roasted broccoli or steamed green beans round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, bake individual portions in ramekins or mini casseroles for a dinner-party wow. Garnish each with a swirl of fresh herbs on top for extra flair. Or, serve a scoop inside roasted bell pepper halves for a colorful, crowd-pleasing presentation of your Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe keeps beautifully! Simply cover your dish tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. It tastes just as amazing for up to 3 days—some say even better since the flavors mingle.
Freezing
This dish is a meal-prepper’s dream. Assemble everything up to the baking step, then wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed. You can also freeze individual portions for quick, comforting lunches.
Reheating
Warm leftovers in the oven at 325°F, covered with foil to keep them moist. For a single serving, the microwave does the trick—just add a splash of broth and cover to prevent drying. The cheese gets gooey all over again, just like fresh!
FAQs
-
Can I use a different pasta shape in this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe?
Absolutely! While linguine gives a fantastic texture, feel free to substitute with spaghetti, fettuccine, or even rotini—just cook until al dente, as you would with linguine.
-
What kind of chicken works best?
Any cooked, shredded chicken works wonderfully—think rotisserie chicken, poached breasts, or even leftover roasted chicken. Just make sure it’s tender so it melds beautifully with the sauce.
-
How can I make this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe ahead of time?
You can assemble the whole casserole ahead, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply add a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed and finish as directed.
-
Can I make this recipe lighter?
Yes! Swap full-fat sour cream for light or Greek yogurt, use part-skim cheese, and add extra vegetables. The Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe will still turn out creamy and comforting with a lighter touch.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe becomes as much of a staple in your home as it is in mine. Whip it up for busy weeknights, family celebrations, or whenever you need a little extra comfort on your plate—you can’t go wrong. Now, grab a fork and dig in!
Print
Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 people 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
Description
Indulge in this creamy and comforting Easy Chicken Tetrazzini recipe that’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Tender linguine pasta is smothered in a rich, homemade sauce with shredded chicken and gooey cheese, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 12 oz. Linguine pasta
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 20 oz. cream of mushroom soup*
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
Additional:
- 4 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Cook Linguine Pasta: Cook linguine pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13″ casserole dish and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large bowl, mix melted butter, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth. Add parsley, chicken, and pasta; combine.
- Assemble: Transfer the creamy pasta mixture to the casserole dish. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 830mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
