Chicken Tetrazzini (A Favorite Family Recipe)

Chicken Tetrazzini has a fancy sounding Italian name. Really the name is the only fancy thing  about this traditional pasta dish. It’s loaded with cheese, chicken and a delicious, creamy mushroom sauce. I promise once you try it you’ll make it all the time.

For a long time I avoided making Chicken Tetrazzini because I thought it would be complicated to make. I couldn’t have been more wrong about that. Turns out that this is a simple dinner that you can enjoy with your family anytime but it’s defiantly company worthy.

This recipe does required cooked chicken. If you want to save time you could use a prepared rotisserie chicken or frozen cooked chicken breasts from the freezer section.

Is Chicken Tetrazzini Italian? 

Chicken Tetrazzini is not an Italian recipe. It is actually an American dish. It’s thought that Chicken Tetrazzini was created first at the Palace Hotel in San Fransisco and named after opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini who was a long-term resident of the hotel. 

Can Chicken Tetrazzini be frozen? 

Yes! Chicken Tetrazzini is perfect for making ahead and freezing for another day. I recommend two steps to ensure you get the best favor from your frozen dish. First, do not add shredded cheese to the top of the casserole. Shredded cheese can become dry when frozen which will prevent it from melting completely. Secondly, do not bake the casserole before freezing. 

To make the freezer friendly follow steps 1-4 of the recipe. Next, cover the pan tightly in plastic wrap then in foil. And place in the freezer for up to three months. 

My tip for this recipe: 

Want to make one dish of Chicken Tetrazzini to eat tonight and another to freeze for later? Just double the ingredients and divide into two 9×13 then follow the steps for each.  

Once you’ve made the chicken or while the chicken is cooking put cook the pasta according to package directions. When pasta is done cooking return to pot and set aside.

Once you’ve made the chicken or while the chicken is cooking put cook the pasta according to package directions. When pasta is done cooking return to pot and set aside.

To make the mushroom sauce you begin by melting butter over medium heat in the bottom of a sauce pan. When the butter is melted add flour. Stir butter and flour together and continue stirring for one minute.

Add broth, cream of mushroom soup, mushrooms, celery salt, salt and pepper. Cook mixture until slightly thickened. This is was about 8 minutes for me.

Pour mushroom sauce and chicken into the pot with pasta and stir to combine. Transfer into a 9×13 dish treated with nonstick spray. Sprinkle parmesan and cheddar cheese over the top and  Bake at 350º for 30 minutes.

I like to serve this with a salad and a big loaf of crusty bread. Just writing about this recipe has made me hungry. Good thing there’s leftovers in the fridge!

Happy Cooking Y’all!

Susanne

Looking for more great chicken and pasta dishes you’ll love these! 

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti 

One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta 

Chicken Spinach Tomato Pasta 

Cajun Chicken Pasta 

Caprese Chicken Pasta

5 from 1 vote

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ChickenTetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini is a traditional pasta dish. It’s loaded cheese, chicken and a delicious creamy, mushroom sauce.

Course Casserole, Pasta

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken tetrazzini

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 332 kcal

Susanne Susanne

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken
• 16 oz. package of vermicelli or thin spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup parmesan
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare chicken using method of choice.
2. Prepare pasta according to package directions
3. In a sauce pan over medium heat melt butter and stir in flour cook for one minute
4. Add broth, soup and seasonings to mixture and continue cooking until slightly thickened
5. Drain pasta from pot and return add chicken and mushrooms and stir together
6. Transfer into a 9x13 dish, prepared with cooking spray
7. Sprinkle cheese over the top and bake at 350º for 30 minutes

Nutrition Facts

ChickenTetrazzini

Amount Per Serving (1.5 cups)

Calories 332 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 40mg13%

Sodium 308mg13%

Potassium 230mg7%

Carbohydrates 45g15%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 19g38%

Vitamin A 162IU3%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 80mg8%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.