Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

If you’re on the lookout for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish that absolutely sings comfort and flavor, let me introduce you to my favorite Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tender chicken and pasta, this one-pan wonder is the kind of meal that turns any night into a special occasion—without a ton of fuss or fancy ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Ultra Creamy Texture: Each bite is coated in a velvety sauce thanks to a blend of sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, and gooey cheeses.
  • Family-Friendly Comfort: This Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe is an instant hit with kids and adults alike—classic flavors that never go out of style.
  • Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and simply pop it in the oven when you need a nourishing, hands-off dinner.
  • Simple Pantry Ingredients: No fancy shopping trips here—everything you need is easy to find, making weeknight magic totally doable.
Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I absolutely adore about this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe is that every ingredient serves a delicious purpose! You don’t need a laundry list of groceries—just a handful of well-chosen items that deliver incredible flavor, creaminess, and just the right amount of cheesy goodness.

  • Linguine Pasta: Classic, flat noodles are perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce and add a satisfying bite to every forkful.
  • Butter: Melted butter creates a rich base for the sauce and helps everything meld together beautifully.
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup: This pantry staple brings silky texture and a gentle, earthy flavor that ties the sauce together.
  • Sour Cream: Adds tang and richness—don’t skip it if you want that signature creamy finish!
  • Chicken Broth: Just a splash brightens up the sauce so it’s not too heavy, enhancing every other flavor.
  • Salt, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper: The essential trio for balancing and boosting all the savory notes throughout the casserole.
  • Fresh Parsley: Chopped parsley isn’t just garnish here—mixed in, it adds color and a touch of freshness to every serving.
  • Cooked Chicken: Use rotisserie, leftover roast, or poached chicken—shredded for maximum bite and juiciness.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts into luscious strings and makes that bubbly, golden top everyone loves.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parm adds a salty, nutty flavor that finishes the dish on a high note.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

The absolute best part about this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe? It’s a dream to customize! Whether you’re working with different ingredients on hand or adapting to dietary needs, you can easily make this dish your own while keeping all that signature comfort.

  • Turkey Tetrazzini: Swap in leftover turkey for the chicken—perfect for post-holiday meals and just as comforting.
  • Veggie Lovers: Add sautéed mushrooms, peas, or steamed broccoli to sneak in extra color and texture.
  • Make it Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta and double-check that your soup is certified GF.
  • Spicy Twist: Sprinkle in a pinch of crushed red pepper or use pepper jack cheese for a bit of heat!

How to Make Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to package directions, aiming for al dente so the pasta stays sturdy after baking. Drain well but don’t rinse—the bit of starch helps the sauce cling to every noodle.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Sauce

While your pasta cooks, grab your largest mixing bowl. Whisk together the melted butter, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, and pepper until everything’s beautifully smooth and creamy. This is the luscious base that makes the tetrazzini sing!

Step 3: Combine and Layer

Add the chopped parsley, shredded chicken, and drained pasta right into the bowl of sauce. Gently toss until all the noodles and chicken are coated in that dreamy mixture. Then, spread everything into your prepared 9×13” casserole dish so it’s even from edge to edge.

Step 4: Add Cheese and Bake

Now comes the cheesy magic! Sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan evenly over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F. Remove the foil, then bake another 10 minutes—until you see golden bubbles and can hardly resist sneaking a forkful.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Let your casserole rest for a few minutes before scooping—it helps everything hold together. Top with extra parsley for a fresh, inviting finish, and watch the smiles appear! This is the moment everyone’s been waiting for.

Pro Tips for Making Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

  • All-Star Chicken Shortcut: Shredded rotisserie chicken saves time and brings unbeatable moisture and flavor.
  • Sauce Consistency Matters: For extra creaminess, don’t skimp on sour cream—if you like it saucier, add an extra splash of broth.
  • Golden, Cheesy Top: Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end if you want an ultra-crisp, deeply golden cheese layer.
  • Perfect Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole a day ahead and store in the fridge; bake straight from chilled, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

How to Serve Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley brightens up the whole casserole and looks simply gorgeous against that melted cheese. If you want an extra touch, try a dusting of grated parmesan or a twist of cracked black pepper right before serving for warmth and visual pop.

Side Dishes

This casserole loves simple sides! Crisp green salads with a zesty vinaigrette, garlicky sautéed green beans, or buttery garlic bread are perfect companions—the fresh crunch and lightness make the creamy pasta stand out even more.

Creative Ways to Present

Try baking the tetrazzini in individual ramekins for dinner party flair, or serve it family-style in your favorite rustic dish for a homey, inviting centerpiece. Leftover portions also make excellent lunchbox surprises—just pop a serving into a thermos for a midday treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers of this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe keep beautifully! Store any cooled, extra portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days—they reheat so well and make a quick, satisfying lunch or dinner.

Freezing

If you want to prep further ahead, this casserole freezes like a dream. Assemble and freeze before baking (just skip the cheese topping for now)—then thaw overnight, add the cheeses, and bake as usual. Already-baked leftovers freeze well, too; thaw and reheat gently for best results.

Reheating

For best results, reheat your chicken tetrazzini, covered, in a 350°F oven until heated through. Single servings can be popped in the microwave for a speedy lunch—add a splash of broth or cream if needed to revive its sauciness!

FAQs

  1. Can I use a different type of pasta for this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe?

    Absolutely! While linguine is classic, you can use spaghetti, fettuccine, or even penne—just aim for a pasta that holds sauce well and suits your preference or what you have on hand.

  2. Is it possible to make this recipe lighter?

    Yes—you can substitute reduced-fat sour cream or use Greek yogurt in place of full-fat sour cream for a lighter spin. Opting for part-skim mozzarella and low-sodium broth can also lighten things up a bit without sacrificing flavor.

  3. Can I assemble the casserole in advance?

    Definitely! Prepare the full Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe up to the point of baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. You’ll need to add a little extra baking time if baking from cold—about 10-15 minutes more.

  4. What’s the best way to reheat individual servings?

    Microwaving works for quick lunches—cover the serving and heat in short bursts, stirring each time. For best results, reheat in the oven, covered, to keep the pasta moist and restore that creamy, cheesy texture.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been craving a nostalgic, family-favorite dish with minimal effort and maximum reward, this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe is here for you. I hope it brightens your table and becomes a go-to comfort meal in your home—give it a try and don’t be surprised when everyone comes back for seconds!

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Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 133 reviews
  • Author: Stacy
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 people 1x
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

This Easy Chicken Tetrazzini recipe is a comforting casserole dish loaded with creamy pasta, tender chicken, and gooey melted cheese. It’s a perfect family-friendly meal that’s simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser.


Ingredients

Scale

Linguine pasta:

12 oz.

Butter, melted:

1/2 cup

Cream of mushroom soup:

20 oz.

Sour cream:

2 cups

Chicken broth:

1/2 cup

Salt:

1 tsp

Garlic powder:

1 tsp

Black pepper:

1/2 tsp

Parsley, freshly chopped:

1/4 cup, plus more for garnish

Chicken, cooked and shredded:

4 cups

Mozzarella cheese, shredded:

2 cups

Parmesan cheese, grated:

1/3 cup


Instructions

  1. Cook linguine pasta: Cook linguine according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Preheat oven: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13″ casserole dish and set aside.
  3. Prepare sauce: In a bowl, mix melted butter, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
  4. Combine ingredients: Add parsley, cooked chicken, and pasta to the sauce. Mix well and transfer to the casserole dish.
  5. Add cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the top.
  6. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
  7. Serve: Garnish with parsley and enjoy!


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 820mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 27g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg

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