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Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe: Creamy & Cheesy Comfort Food

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Ever wondered how to make restaurant-quality chicken tetrazzini at home? This beloved Italian-American dish, named after opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini in the early 1900s, combines tender chicken, silky pasta, and a luxurious white wine cream sauce into something truly extraordinary. I've refined this chicken tetrazzini recipe through years of professional experience to create a version that honors its San Francisco roots while being completely achievable in your home kitchen.

This Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe Will Change the Way You Think About Pasta Forever
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Homemade chicken tetrazzini with creamy spaghetti, shredded chicken, peas, and a golden, bubbly cheese crust.
Homemade chicken tetrazzini with creamy spaghetti, shredded chicken, peas, and a golden, bubbly cheese crust.

Beyond Basic Pasta Casserole

This isn't just another chicken tetrazzini recipe easy version - it's a masterclass in turning humble ingredients into elegant comfort food. While many modern recipes rely on canned soups, our chicken tetrazzini recipe no soup approach creates a silky, made-from-scratch sauce that elevates this dish to new heights. Through careful testing and refinement, we've developed a method that delivers restaurant-quality results every time.

What is Special About This Recipe

The Science of Perfect Tetrazzini:

  • Made-from-scratch sauce technique
  • Properly seasoned chicken
  • Al dente pasta precision
  • Balanced mushroom integration

Practical Excellence:

  • Make-ahead friendly
  • Freezes beautifully
  • Feeds a crowd
  • Reliable results

The success of this ultimate chicken tetrazzini lies in building flavors gradually and treating each component with care.

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Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe Ingredients

Base Components:

  • Italian pasta (linguine/spaghetti)
  • Chicken breasts (2 lbs)
  • Fresh mushrooms
  • Parmesan (freshly grated)

Sauce Elements:

  • Heavy cream
  • Chicken stock
  • White wine
  • Fresh garlic
  • Butter
  • All-purpose flour

Crispy Topping:

  • Fresh breadcrumbs
  • Extra Parmesan
  • Melted butter

See recipe card for quantities.

Flat lay of raw chicken tetrazzini recipe ingredients, linguine pasta, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese.

Note: Quality ingredients make all the difference in this chicken tetrazzini recipe - especially fresh mushrooms and real Parmesan cheese.

Ready for our streamlined cooking method?

How To Make Chicken Tetrazzini

  • Pasta Stage:
    • Cook al dente in salted water
    • Drain, reserve 1 cup pasta water
    • Toss with olive oil
  • Chicken Phase:
    • Season chicken cubes
    • Brown in batches
    • Set aside, keep warm
  • Sauce Creation:
    • Sauté mushrooms
    • Make roux
    • Add liquids gradually
    • Fold in cheese
Sautéed mushrooms in a saucepan with butter, a wooden spoon stirring, steam rising, and nearby ingredients for making homemade tetrazzini sauce.
  • Assembly:
    • Combine components
    • Top with crumb mixture
    • Bake 25-30 mins at 350°F
    • Rest 10 minutes
Unbaked chicken tetrazzini in a white baking dish, topped with Parmesan and breadcrumbs, with a hand sprinkling melted butter for a crispy finish.

Pro Tip: For best chicken tetrazzini recipe results, don't rush the sauce - let it thicken naturally.

Substitutions

Core Proteins:

  • Chicken → Turkey/rotisserie chicken
  • Fresh chicken → Leftover roasted chicken
  • White meat → Dark meat
  • Regular → Gluten-free options

Pasta Options:

  • Long pasta → Penne/fusilli
  • Regular → Gluten-free pasta
  • White pasta → Whole wheat
  • Spaghetti → Linguine/fettuccine

Sauce Alternatives:

  • Heavy cream → Half & half
  • White wine → Chicken stock
  • Fresh mushrooms → Portobello
  • Butter → Olive oil

Dietary Swaps:

  • Full-fat → Low-fat options
  • Regular → Dairy-free (cashew cream)
  • Traditional → Gluten-free (GF flour)
  • Cream sauce → Lighter version

Chicken Tetrazzini Variations

Classic Comfort:

  • Italian Style
    • Sun-dried tomatoes
    • Fresh basil
    • Extra Parmesan
    • Italian herbs (Max's verdict: "It's like Italy hugged America!")
  • Mushroom Lover's
    • Three mushroom blend
    • Truffle oil drizzle
    • Thyme infusion
    • Wild mushroom topping (The "fun-guy" version, as Max calls it)

Holiday Special:

  • Leftover Turkey Magic
    • Holiday bird
    • Cranberry drizzle
    • Sage-infused sauce
    • Crispy stuffing top (Our post-Thanksgiving tradition)

Party Perfect:

  • Seafood Twist
    • Shrimp addition
    • White wine sauce
    • Fresh herbs
    • Lemon zest (The "fancy pants version" - Max's words!)

Tip: Make two smaller batches when trying variations - one classic, one creative. As Max says, "Double the tetrazzini, double the fun!"

Equipments for Chicken Tetrazzini

Must-Have Equipment:

  • Large baking dish (9x13)
  • Big pasta pot
  • Heavy saucepan
  • Colander
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board

Key Tools:

  • Box grater (for fresh Parmesan)
  • Wooden spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Large bowls
  • Foil/lid

Pro Tools:

  • Dutch oven
  • Microplane
  • Instant thermometer
  • Food processor (For breadcrumbs - though Max prefers crushing them by hand, claiming it adds "special power")

Pro Tip: A heavy-bottomed saucepan prevents the cream sauce from scorching. After our "black sauce disaster," we learned this the hard way!

Storage Tips

Fridge Storage:

  • 3-4 days covered
  • Airtight container
  • Don't stack items on top
  • Cool completely first ("The hardest part is not sneaking midnight bites!" - Max)

Freezer Tips:

  • Up to 3 months wrapped well
  • Individual portions work best
  • Label clearly
  • Thaw overnight (Max's solution for busy school nights)

Reheating Magic:

  • Oven: 350°F, 20-25 mins
  • Add splash of cream
  • Cover with foil
  • Let rest 5 mins

Quick Fix:

  • Microwave: 2-3 mins
  • 50% power
  • Stir halfway
  • Let stand 1 min (Perfect for lunch leftovers - though Max claims it "tastes like midnight memories" straight from the fridge!)

Tip: Freeze in foil pans for easy reheating, no dish washing required!

Aunt Emma's Italian-American Secret

Let me share something special about this chicken tetrazzini recipe that I learned from my Aunt Emma, who worked in San Francisco's North Beach restaurants for 30 years. While everyone obsesses over the sauce-to-pasta ratio, she taught me her golden rule: infuse your cream with bay leaves and whole peppercorns before starting.

"The secret lives in the cream," she'd whisper while warming it with these aromatics. This simple step adds a depth that transforms basic chicken tetrazzini into something restaurant-worthy. Just heat the cream with one bay leaf and six peppercorns until steamy (not boiling), then strain before using.

P.S. - After one memorable dinner party where this dish stole the show, Max now calls it "Aunt Emma's magic pasta." The name stuck!

Time for Perfect Pasta!

Now you've mastered Aunt Emma's secrets for the ultimate chicken tetrazzini, from that special cream infusion to the perfect sauce consistency. Whether you're cooking for a crowd or meal-prepping for busy weeknights, this classic comfort dish delivers restaurant-quality results.

Craving more pasta perfection? Try our spicy Pastalaya Recipe for Cajun-inspired flavors. Looking for bold Italian flavors? Our Best Italian Drunken Noodles Recipe brings the heat, while our Easy Carbone Spicy Rigatoni Recipe recreates that famous restaurant magic. For a comforting family favorite, don't miss our Delicious Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, it's pure comfort in a dish!

Share your tetrazzini triumphs with us on social media, we would love seeing your creamy pasta perfection!

Rate this recipe and join our Italian-American cooking family!

Need answers about mastering tetrazzini? Check our FAQ section below!

FAQ

What is Chicken Tetrazzini sauce made of?

Traditional chicken tetrazzini sauce combines a homemade béchamel (butter, flour, milk) with chicken stock, heavy cream, and white wine. While modern recipes often use cream of mushroom soup, authentic tetrazzini sauce gains its silky texture from a properly made roux. Fresh Parmesan cheese adds depth and helps thicken the sauce, while sherry or white wine provides subtle acidity that balances the richness.

What's the difference between chicken Alfredo and Chicken Tetrazzini?

While both dishes feature pasta in cream sauce, Alfredo is served immediately after cooking, while tetrazzini is a baked casserole. Alfredo sauce relies heavily on Parmesan and butter, while tetrazzini sauce incorporates mushrooms, wine, and stock. Tetrazzini also features a signature breadcrumb topping and includes mushrooms as a key component.

What goes well with Chicken Tetrazzini?

Since chicken tetrazzini is rich, pair it with lighter sides like a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables or this warming Savory Bread Pudding, or zesty Boulders Enchilada for interesting fusion combinations. A bright citrus dessert helps balance the creamy main dish. You can try our Prep Millionaire Pie.

What is the difference between tetrazzini and a La King?

Tetrazzini is a baked pasta dish with a cream sauce, while Chicken à la King is a sauced chicken served over rice, toast, or pastry. While both use cream sauce bases, à la King typically includes bell peppers and pimientos, whereas tetrazzini's signature ingredients are mushrooms and wine. Tetrazzini also features the distinctive crunchy breadcrumb topping.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this chicken tetrazzini recipe:

Homemade chicken tetrazzini with creamy spaghetti, shredded chicken, peas, and a golden, bubbly cheese crust.

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

This Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe Will Change the Way You Think About Pasta Forever
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Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: Chicken Tetrazzini, creamy pasta bake, homemade tetrazzini, no canned soup recipe, southern chicken tetrazzini
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 520kcal
Cost: 15$

Equipment

  • 1 Large baking dish (9x13) ()For baking the casserole)
  • 1 Large pasta pot (To cook the pasta)
  • 1 Heavy saucepan (For making the sauce)
  • 1 Colander (To drain pasta)
  • 1 1Wooden spoon (For stirring sauce)
  • 1 Box grater (Freshly grating Parmesan)
  • 1 1Measuring cups (For accuracy)
  • 1 Microplane (Optional) ( for fine grating cheese)
  • 1 Instant thermometer (To check chicken doneness)

Ingredients

  • 12 oz Linguine or spaghetti - Cooked al dente
  • 2 lbs Chicken breasts - Cooked and cubed
  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil - For cooking chicken
  • 8 oz Fresh mushrooms - Sliced
  • 4 tablespoon Butter - Unsalted
  • 3 tablespoon All-purpose flour - For thickening sauce
  • 1 cup Chicken stock - Low sodium
  • 1 cup Heavy cream - Or half & half
  • ½ cup Dry white wine (Optional) - adds flavor
  • 3 cloves Garlic - Minced
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese - Freshly grated
  • 1 teaspoon Salt - Adjust to taste
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper - Freshly ground
  • ½ cup Fresh breadcrumbs - For crispy topping
  • 2 tablespoon Butter - Melted for topping
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese - Extra for topping

Instructions 

Cook Pasta:

  • Bring salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente.
  • Drain, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, and toss with a little olive oil

Prepare Chicken:

  • Cut chicken into bite-sized cubes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat olive oil in a pan and brown chicken in batches. Set aside.

Make the Sauce:

  • Melt butter in a saucepan.
  • Sauté mushrooms until golden.
  • Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
  • Gradually whisk in chicken stock, cream, and wine.
  • Simmer until thickened.

Assemble & Bake:

  • Combine pasta, chicken, and sauce.
  • Transfer to a greased baking dish.
  • Top with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and melted butter.
  • Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until golden.
  • Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 250g | Calories: 520kcal (26%) | Carbohydrates: 45g (15%) | Protein: 35g (70%) | Fat: 25g (38%) | Saturated Fat: 12g (75%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 85mg (28%) | Sodium: 620mg (27%) | Potassium: 480mg (14%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 5g (6%) | Vitamin A: 720IU (14%) | Vitamin C: 3mg (4%) | Calcium: 210mg (21%) | Iron: 2.5mg (14%)

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