Easy Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini

This easy, creamy Chicken Tetrazzini is a budget-friendly way to feed the family without too much fuss. It doesn’t skimp on flavors—it’s easy, quick, and delicious.

Chicken tetrazzini in a white baking dish with a serving on a dark plate.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This is one of those recipes that is good to keep on hand. It’s perfect for any weekday OR weekend recipe. First and foremost, it’s delish! It’s warm and creamy, a perfect comfort food dish.

It calls for very few ingredients, all of which you probably already have or are readily available at your local market.

And it’s very budget-friendly and will feed your entire family. Plus, it’s ready to go in less than an hour.

Serve as-is or with perhaps some freshly baked bread, like our Italian Bread or Easy No Knead Overnight Focaccia Bread. Other sides that would go with this are Spinach and Feta Orzo Salad, Homemade Greek Salad, or Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Aioli.

Ingredients Needed

As I mentioned before, there is nothing hard here. Some pasta, some cooked chicken (a perfect use for leftover rotisserie chicken), frozen peas, and a few other things. Easy peasy! Check the recipe card for all the ingredients and amounts at the bottom of the post.

How To Make Chicken Tetrazzini

Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with oil or cooking spray.

In a large pot, bring lightly salted water to a boil and add spaghetti to a boil. In another pot, add the olive oil over medium heat, and when the oil is hot and shimmering, add the diced onion.

Cook the spaghetti until al dente, drain it, and return it to the pot. Meanwhile, continue to cook the onions until translucent, then add the garlic. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Add the butter to the pan with the garlic and onions.

Adding butter to onions and garlic cooking in a pot.

Once the butter has melted, add the flour, whisk to combine, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add the chicken stock, whisking constantly to avoid clumping. Next, add the milk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook and whisk until it starts to boil and thickens.

Stir in 1 1/4 cups of parmesan cheese and remove from the heat. Add the cooked diced chicken and peas to the pot and mix to combine. Transfer this mixture to the pot containing the cooked pasta and mix to combine well.

Adding parmesan to the tetrazzini mixture.

Pour this into the lightly greased baking dish, spread evenly, and top with remaining parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 25-50 minutes until it’s bubbly and lightly golden brown on top.

Chicken Tetrazzini covered in a cheese in a baking dish.

Chicken tetrazzini right out of the oven.

Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes, then serve. Optionally garnish with some freshly chopped parsley.

Chicken tetrazzini in a white baking dish.

So, if you’re looking for something tasty that comes together quickly and won’t empty your wallet, try this easy creamy Chicken Tetrazzini recipe!

Tips

To get your pasta just right for this dish, cook it until it’s al dente, which means it should be tender but still have a bit of a bite to it. This is crucial because the pasta will continue to cook a little when you bake the dish.
Remember to whisk constantly when adding the chicken stock to the roux (the butter and flour mixture) for that perfectly creamy and thick sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add more milk until you reach your desired consistency. Conversely, let it simmer a bit longer if it’s too thin before adding it to the pasta.

Variations

While parmesan is the cheese of choice for this recipe, feel free to experiment with a blend of cheeses for different flavor profiles. A mix of mozzarella for stretchiness and a little sharp cheddar for depth can elevate the dish to a new level of deliciousness. We also will use Pecorino Romano cheese for a more pronounced flavor.
Basil or thyme can add a fresh, aromatic lift to the rich, creamy flavors. Even a light squeeze of lemon juice over the top before serving can add a nice zest, cutting through the richness and balancing the dish beautifully.

FAQs

Can I make Chicken Tetrazzini ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dish until the baking step, then cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, add a few extra minutes to the baking time since you’ll start from a colder temperature.

Can I use a different type of pasta instead of spaghetti?

Yes, you can! While spaghetti is the traditional choice for Chicken Tetrazzini, feel free to use whatever pasta you have on hand or prefer. Linguine, fettuccine, or even shorter pasta like penne or rotini work well in this recipe. Just make sure to cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions, as it will continue to cook slightly in the oven.

Can I add vegetables to this Chicken Tetrazzini recipe? If so, which do you recommend?

Absolutely! Mushrooms, red bell peppers, spinach, or broccoli are great additions. Just sauté them until slightly tender before mixing them in. Doing this is an easy way to personalize the dish and boost its nutritional value.

Other Delicious Pasta Dishes

Lasagna on a white plate garnished with parsley and cheese.

Absolute Best Ever Lasagna Recipe

Old Fashioned Goulash (American Goulash)

Fast & Easy Shrimp Piccata with cheese sprinkled on top.

Fast And Easy Shrimp Piccata

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