Easy Chicken Tetrazzini (With a Southern Twist!)

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini is a creamy baked pasta dish made with tender chicken, Parmesan cheese, and a rich homemade sauce. This comforting Chicken Tetrazzini (With a Southern Twist) recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini has been a tried-and-true favorite in our home for years. When our kids were small, it was one of those rare dinners where everyone happily cleaned their plates, and even today, it's one of the first meals they request when the family gets together. Creamy, comforting, and loaded with tender chicken and pasta. This recipe never goes out of style.

This recipe was also a staple in our catering business, where we served thousands of guests over the years. Time after time, people came back asking for the recipe because they loved its rich, creamy flavor and comforting homemade taste. This Easy Chicken Tetrazzini is a recipe you can rely on to deliver every single time.

If you love an easy casserole that your whole family will love, then try out other favorites like cheese lasagna or Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole. Both are comforting, family-friendly recipes that are perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Tried-and-True Family Favorite: This recipe has been enjoyed by our family for years and is always requested for family dinners.
• Easy Weeknight Meal: Simple ingredients and easy preparation make it perfect for busy evenings.
• Make Ahead Friendly: Assemble it in advance and bake when you're ready for an easy, stress-free dinner.
• Perfect for Leftover Chicken: Rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken makes this recipe come together even faster.

Ingredients

• Vermicelli Pasta: I use thin spaghetti!
• Shredded Chicken Breast: The longer it has cooked, the more tender it will be. You could use this crockpot shredded chicken for the perfect texture. We've also used rotisserie chickens for an easy alternative!
• Half and Half or Whole Milk: Works with the flour and heavy cream to bring a creamy texture to the casserole.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: to add a rich flavor
• Chicken Stock: I love to boil chicken in some chicken base to make a delicious stock to use.
• Flour: to make a roux for a thicker sauce.
• Butter: Butter makes everything better
• Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese is my favorite to use. This cheese adds such a great nutty and salty flavor.
• Garlic: Using freshly minced garlic is best!
• Salt and White Pepper: Using white pepper preserves the traditional creamy and white tetrazzini.

How to make Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring 32 oz of chicken stock to a boil. Break your pasta in half before adding it to the stock. This makes the finished casserole much easier to cut and serve. Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain, reserving 2 cups of the chicken stock for the sauce.
2. Make the Creamy Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant.
   
   Whisk in the flour and continue cooking for another 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. The mixture should form a smooth roux with a consistency similar to toothpaste.

3. Finish the Sauce: Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Gradually stir in the heavy cream, followed by the reserved 2 cups of chicken stock.
4. Add the Cheese: Add ⅓ cup of Parmesan cheese, the salt, and white pepper. Continue stirring until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

5. Add the Chicken: Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce and let it simmer for about 5 minutes so the chicken is heated through and absorbs some of the rich, creamy flavor.

6. Assemble the Casserole: Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. Spread half of the cooked pasta evenly across the bottom of the dish. Spoon half of the creamy chicken mixture over the noodles and spread it into an even layer.
7. Repeat with the remaining pasta, then finish with the rest of the chicken and sauce, creating four delicious layers.

8. Bake: Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
9. Rest Before Serving: Allow the Easy Chicken Tetrazzini to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This helps the creamy sauce set up slightly, making it easier to serve.

Substitution and Variations

• Protein: You can easily substitute the chicken breast with leftover turkey and rotisserie chicken for an easy shortcut.
• Vegetables: Add extra flavor and texture by mixing in your favorite vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, red peppers, steamed broccoli florets, artichoke hearts, fresh spinach, or frozen peas are all delicious additions.
• Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses to change up the flavor. Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Havarti, or Pepper Jack all melt beautifully and would add their own unique twist to the creamy sauce.

Expert TIps

• Use Freshly Grated Cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts better and adds so much more flavor than pre-shredded cheese. It gives the sauce a smoother, creamier texture.
• Cook the Pasta to Al dente: Since the pasta continues cooking while the casserole bakes, be careful not to overcook it. Cooking it until just al dente helps keep the noodles from becoming soft or mushy.
• Choose Your Favorite Pasta: I like using the finer Vermicelli pasta because it gives the casserole a great texture, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Traditional spaghetti, angel hair, or even linguine will all work well.
• Don't Skip the White Pepper: White pepper has a slightly sharper kick than black pepper and adds extra depth of flavor to Chicken Tetrazzini. If you don't have it in your spice cabinet, no worries. Black pepper is still a delicious substitute.
• Don't Burn the Garlic: Garlic adds amazing flavor to this dish, but it can turn bitter if it burns. When sautéing the garlic over medium heat, stir frequently and cook just until fragrant before adding the remaining ingredients.

What to serve with Tetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini is a hearty, creamy dinner that pairs perfectly with simple sides.

• Easy Garlic Butter Rolls - Perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
• Country Style Green Beans - A classic Southern side!
• Creamy Corn Recipe - Rich, butter corn is always a hit!
• Garden Salad with Buttermilk Ranch - A crisp salad balances the richness.

Storage

• To Refrigerate: Allow the Chicken Tetrazzini to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• To Freeze: This casserole freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Let the casserole cool completely, then wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil, or transfer portions to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• To Reheat: To reheat a full casserole, cover it with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until heated through, adding about 15 minutes to the original baking time. Individual servings can be reheated in the microwave in 30-second intervals until hot. If the pasta seems a little dry, stir in a splash of chicken broth or milk before reheating to restore its creamy texture.

Faq

More Chicken Casseroles

• Southern Chicken Casserole
• Caprese Chicken Casserole
• Chicken Wing Casserole
• Chicken and Zucchini Bake (Low-Carb)