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Easy, creamy, and utterly delicious cheesy chicken tetrazzini is a family favorite that takes minutes to prep!

Easy chicken tetrazzini is one of our yummiest pasta dishes. Serve it with Cheesy Garlic Bread, Baked Asparagus, or Oven Roasted Veggies. It’s great for busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, and even holidays.

Chicken tetrazzini baked in a clear baking dish.


An Easy Dinner

What’s for dinner? Thank heavens for pasta dishes!! I have them slated on the calendar at least once a week.

Why? They are always delicious and usually loved by the entire family. I mean, you can’t really go wrong with noodles, tons of cheese, and chicken, right?!

Today’s recipe for chicken tetrazzini happens to be one of those yummy recipes that everyone enjoys. If you look at the ingredients, it’s pretty apparent why it would be so tasty (butter, sour cream, cream of chicken, mozzarella cheese).

With those kinds of ingredients, it’s no wonder everyone (even the kids) loves this recipe! I think you’ll love the simplicity and deliciousness of this great dinner idea.

Linguine draining in a colander.

How to Make Chicken Tetrazzini

This tetrazzini is so simple and doesn’t take too much to prep.

PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-x-13-inch baking dish and set aside.

PASTA. Cook noodles, to al dente, according to the box instructions. Drain and set aside.

SAUCE. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine chicken, soup, sour cream, butter, chicken broth, garlic salt, and pepper. Mix well, then stir in cooked noodles.

BAKE. Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle both cheeses on top and bake, uncovered, for 36–42 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbling.

Noodles and chicken covered with cheese.

Variations

To change up this delicious easy chicken tetrazzini, use any of these fabulous variations.

Vegetables. Add in vegetables like peas, corn, broccoli florets, mushrooms, and onions.

Seasonings. Season with garlic salt, or parsley flakes. Add a little heat after it has been baked with some red pepper flakes or hot sauce.

Pasta. Substitute the linguine with fettuccine, tagliatelle or spaghetti.

Chicken. Many grocery stores have fully cooked seasoned chicken in the refrigerator section. You can also buy thick slices of chicken from the deli to cube or a rotisserie chicken to slice and cube. This recipe is also great for that leftover chicken sitting in the fridge. 

  • Quick pan fry. Cut raw chicken into bite-size pieces. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet and add the chicken. Season with salt and little pepper. Every 1-2 minutes give the chicken a stir until cooked. To test I will cut a couple of the large pieces in half to check for doneness. 

Soup. Cream of Mushroom Soup also works in the recipe.

Cheese. Change it up by using different cheeses.

Meat. Use freshly made or leftover turkey instead. Be sure to check out our Turkey Tetrazzini too!

Baked pasta and chicken topped with cheese and fresh herbs.

SToring + Side Ideas

Make ahead of time. We frequently make this chicken tetrazzini recipe ahead of time. Just make it as instructed except don’t top with the cheese or bake. Instead, cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and place in the fridge for up to 24 hours before adding the cheese and baking.

STORE leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

FREEZE. Just make as instructed, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Just let thaw in the fridge overnight, toss it with a bit of fresh milk, add the cheese, and bake in the oven.

What to serve with chicken tetrazzini?

Cheesy chicken tetrazzini is so simple and always a crowd favorite and some of our go-to sides for it include:

Close up of a fork scooping chicken tetrazzini from a baking dish.

Recipe FAQ

Should I salt the pasta for chicken tetrazzini?

Though it is not necessary, adding salt to the water is a great way to infuse flavor directly into the pasta noodles. Bring the pot of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt for every pound of pasta, then add the pasta to the large pot of salted water and boil.

Is chicken tetrazzini a traditional Italian dish?

Though inspired by Italian cuisine, this dish was created in America. There is some discrepancy about where it was first made, but most people credit the chef at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. It’s said that he created the dish in the early 1900s and named it after the Italian opera star, Luisa Tetrazzini when she came to perform at his hotel.

Can I freeze chicken tetrazzini for later?

When you are making this pasta as a freezer meal you will want to cook the pasta to al dente, toss it with the creamy sauce and freeze in a Ziploc. After thawing toss it with a bit more milk before adding it to the baking pan and topping it with cheese. The extra milk will help smooth out the grainy texture that tends to occur after being frozen.

For More Favorite Pasta Recipes, Try:

4.99 from 813 votes

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Easy, creamy, and utterly delicious cheesy chicken tetrazzini is a family favorite that takes minutes to prep!
Servings: 8
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 55 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 16 ounces linguini cooked
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt with parsley flakes
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 cups Mozzarella cheese shredded

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-x-13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  • Cook noodles, to al dente, according to the box instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine chicken, soup, sour cream, butter, chicken broth, garlic salt and pepper. Mix well, then stir in cooked noodles.
  • Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle both cheeses on top and bake, uncovered, for 36–42 minutes, until cheeses are melted and bubbling.

Video

Notes

Make ahead of time. We frequently make this tetrazzini recipe ahead of time. Just make it as instructed except don’t top with the cheese or bake. Instead, cover tightly with foil or saran wrap and place in fridge for up to 24 hours before adding the cheese and baking.
STORE leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
FREEZE. Just make as instructed, cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Just let thaw in the fridge overnight, add the cheese and bake in the oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 714kcal, Carbohydrates: 51g, Protein: 42g, Fat: 37g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 166mg, Sodium: 1284mg, Potassium: 687mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1086IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 248mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
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Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!


About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




952 Comments

  1. Literally the most amazing recipe on the internet! So easy and sooo delicious. My entire family craves this every week! I don’t ask what they want for dinner because they always say chicken tetrazzini. I serve it with peas and garlic knots.

  2. 5 stars
    Made this a couple of nights ago, everyone loved it. Made exactly as written, heats up great. I think it is even better the next day! Thank you!

  3. 5 stars
    This is a family favorite! My little ones are picky eaters and they love when I make it. I serve it with a garden salad and garlic toast and everyone cleans their plates. Thank you for this simple, easy recipe using things I keep in the fridge and pantry.

  4. 5 stars
    LADIES, if you have not tried this recipe, you are missing a great ,great meal— it is so easy to get together and
    So delicious even better the next day. A great go to recipe if you have company coming —- try it you will love it.

  5. 5 stars
    This recipe is delicious!! I added a block of cream cheese to the mixture and it turned out amazing. Everyone loved it so much! Will make again.

  6. 5 stars
    Delicious and easy to make with very few ingredients. I divided the recipie in half and still had enough leftovers for another meal.