This chicken tetrazzini is the ultimate family comfort food! It’s easy to make with tender noodles and shredded chicken in a rich, creamy sauce, then baked until golden and bubbly.

Chicken tetrazzini recipe being served from a white baking dish.

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Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

I have to toot my own horn a little, this chicken tetrazzini might just beat my turkey version! It’s everything you want in a cozy pasta bake: creamy, cheesy, and easy to make with pantry staples. It’s a go-to comfort meal in our house, especially on busy weeknights.

If you’re a fan of hearty, family-friendly dinners, you’ll also love my chicken noodle casserole!

Ingredient Notes

Chicken tetrazzini ingredients including shredded chicken, broth, cream of chicken soup, butter, onion, garlic, sour cream, mozzarella and Parmesan.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Linguine: I love using long pasta noodles for this recipe and spaghetti noodles are another option. Before you begin, you will need to cook pasta according to the package directions.
  • Salted butter: Using butter is a great way to build flavor and deliciousness that oil just doesn’t have!
  • Onion & garlic: The aromatics I am referring to that become cooked and soft and yummy in melted butter. This is the start of building flavors in the dreamy cream sauce.
  • Shredded chicken: For convenience you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken and shred that. Or make a quick baked chicken and shred.
  • Cream of chicken soup: This is a thick soup that’s had most of the water removed from it, so it adds a creamy consistency and concentrated chicken soup flavor. Cream of mushroom can be used in its place for a stronger mushroom flavor.
  • Chicken broth: This helps to thin out the sauce otherwise it will be extremely thick.
  • Sour cream: Adds a richness and extra creamy texture to the sauce. When combined with the broth and condensed soup you get the perfect consistency.
  • Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese: If you can, I highly recommend you grate and shred your cheese fresh from a block as it melts much more smoothly than the pre-shredded bagged cheese.

How to Make Chicken Tetrazzini

Follow the directions on the package of pasta and cook until al dente then drain the noodles. Reserve 1/3 cup of pasta water.

Cooked noodles for chicken tetrazzini in a large pot.

In a large skillet cook the onions for 3-5 minutes in the melted butter then add the garlic for 1 more minute. Stir in the chicken, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and sour cream. Season with salt and pepper and add the noodles and toss to combine.

Sauteed onions in a skillet.

Transfer creamy pasta to a prepared baking dish and top with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan.

Noodles tossed with a rich creamy sauce in a skillet.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is lightly golden. Top with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Chicken tetrazzini with a creamy sauce and topped with cheese in a white baking dish.

Tips and Variations

  • Thin out the sauce. Add the reserved pasta water to the sauce if you find it too thick.
  • A one-pan dish. Use a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven to make life easier. Cook it directly in it on the stove then transfer it to the oven.
  • Homemade. Not a fan of canned? Try this recipe for cream of chicken soup.
  • Do not overcook the pasta. Only cook to al dente otherwise as it bakes, it will continue to absorb the sauce as it continues to cook and become mushy.
  • To add veggies, toss in celery and mushrooms with melted butter and onions. Broccoli florets pair well like my chicken divan recipe or try frozen peas.
  • Pasty type. If you don’t have spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine, use any medium pasta like fusilli, bowtie or try penne, like I use in this tuscan chicken pasta recipe.
A plate of chicken tetrazzini garnished with parsley.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty wholesome dish has it all! Serve it with a side of garlic bread and an Olive garden salad to complete your meal.

If you’d rather have some veggies instead of a salad or along with it, roasted Parmesan carrots or sheet pan veggies are my go-to sides for chicken tetrazzini.

Chicken tetrazzini being lifted out of the baking dish by a gold fork.

More casserole recipes we love include chicken poppy seed casserole, baked ziti and this hamburger casserole.

More Favorite Pasta Recipes

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Chicken tetrazzini recipe in a white baking dish with serving spoon.

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

5 from 11 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 28 minutes
Total Time: 43 minutes
Servings: 6
This chicken tetrazzini is the ultimate family comfort food! It’s easy to make with tender noodles and shredded chicken in a rich, creamy sauce, then baked until golden and bubbly.
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Video

Equipment

  • 1 8×8 baking dish

Ingredients 

  • 8 ounces linguine , or spaghetti
  • 3 Tablespoons salted butter
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • 1-2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken , or chicken cooked and shredded
  • 1 cup cream of chicken soup , or cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • Kosher salt , to taste
  • Ground black pepper , to taste
  • 1/2-1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1-2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley , for serving, toptional

Instructions

  • Prep. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter an 8×8" baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Cook 8 ounces pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  • Saute aromatics. In a large skillet, melt 3 Tablespoon butter over medium-heat. Stir in 1/2 cup onions and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Add 1-2 teaspoons garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  • Combine. Stir in 2 cups chicken, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup chicken broth, and 3/4 cup sour cream. If too thick, stir in the reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper. Add noodles and toss to combine. Pour into baking dish and top with 1/2-1 cup mozzarella and 1-2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese.
  • Bake. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until lightly golden and the cheese is bubbly. Top with fresh parsley, if desired.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Variation: Add in 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms and chopped celery with the onions to add some veggies. 
Substitute: You can swap 1/2 teaspoon onion powder and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if you’d rather omit the onions and garlic. Simply mix the seasonings with the melted butter and add to the cream mixture.

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 120mg, Sodium: 771mg, Potassium: 176mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 501IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 104mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use turkey instead of chicken in tetrazzini?

Yes! Turkey tetrazzini is a delicious variation and the perfect way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Just swap the shredded chicken with cooked turkey and bake as directed.

Can chicken tetrazzini be made ahead of time?

You can easily prepare this chicken tetrazzini casserole ahead of time. Assemble it and top with cheese, then cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove the cover and bake as directed until hot and bubbly.

How to store leftovers?

Cool then store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to freeze chicken tetrazzini?

You can also freeze chicken tetrazzini for up to 2 months then thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating it in the oven.