Published Date: October 14, 2024
Last Updated: October 14, 2024
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Chicken Tetrazzini is a classic comfort cook that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Perfectly cooked pasta packed with creamy chicken and cheese flavor makes the perfect family-friendly weeknight dinner.Ready in under 30 minutes and made with minimal steps, even the most novice home cooks can master this dish.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Pasta Dish
It’s ready in a flash. Forget standing over a stove for hours, this is a comforting meal that you can have on the table in under 30 minutes.
Uses super simple steps. Follow four simple steps from start to finish with this foolproof recipe.
Minimal ingredients required. Skip the recipes that call for a ton of different items. This calls for minimal ingredients but still packs lots of flavor.
Full of family-friendly flavors. Chicken, pasta, and an incredibly creamy and flavorful sauce. This recipe is perfect for anyone from 1 to 100!
Whether you want something cozy and comforting to dig into on a chilly weekend or just need something quick and easy for a busy weeknight, this Chicken Tetrazzini recipe will surely hit the spot.
What Does Chicken Tetrazzini Taste Like?
Chicken Tetrazzini is the ultimate creamy pasta dish. If you’ve been craving perfectly cooked pasta with a robust chicken flavor and a lovely velvety texture, you’ve found the perfect dish! Top it with parmesan cheese for a nice earthy finishing touch.
Ingredients To Grab
Double-check your kitchen for these ingredients before you get started for an effortless cooking experience:
Chicken Breast– Provides the main source of protein in the dish. It adds a tender, juicy texture and complements the rich, creamy sauce.
Linguine– This pasta’s long, flat shape holds onto the sauce well, ensuring each bite is flavorful.
Parmesan Cheese– Adds a salty, nutty flavor to the dish. It helps thicken the sauce and provides a sharp, cheesy bite that balances the creaminess.
Mozzarella Cheese– Brings a creamy, melty texture to the Chicken Tetrazzini. It melts beautifully, making the dish gooey and indulgent, while adding a mild flavor.
Cream of Chicken Soup– Serves as a base for the sauce, adding rich chicken flavor and creaminess. It helps thicken the mixture while providing a smooth, comforting consistency.
Sour Cream– Adds tanginess to balance the richness of the cheese and cream.
Garlic– Infuses the dish with a deep, savory flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile.
Olive Oil- Used to saute the minced garlic and diced chicken and prevent it from sticking to the pan.
Heavy Cream– Creates a luxurious texture and ensures the sauce coats the pasta and chicken evenly.
Salt and Pepper– Enhance the flavors of all the ingredients and helps bring together the perfect bite.
How To Make Chicken Tetrazzini
Cook the Chicken. Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium-low heat. Place the minced garlic into the heated oil. Stir until it is slightly toasted. Dice the chicken breasts into 1/2″ bite-sized pieces. Add them to the garlic in the pan. Cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and has an internal temperature of 165F.
Prepare the Pasta. While the chicken is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add in the linguine noodles. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente.
Simmer the Sauce. Drain the water from the cooked pasta. ( Optional: Consider reserving a cup of pasta water to thin the sauce.) Return the pasta to the pan. Add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, and heavy cream to the pan with the pasta. Allow it to simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce is heated through and coats the pasta. Gently fold in the cooked chicken.
Garnish and Serve. Garnish the Chicken Tetrazzini with parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Tips And Tricks
Check out these tips and tricks for making Chicken Tetrazzini before you get started for an effortless cooking experience:
Don’t overcook the pasta. You will want to simmer the pasta in a homemade creamy sauce so it can soak up the flavor. Ensure your pasta is al dente before adding the sauce to prevent mushy noodles.
Adjust the consistency. This creamy and velvety sauce is THICK and incredibly indulgent. Feel free to reserve some of the pasta water and add some a little at a time while stirring to thin the sauce. This will help adjust the consistency without adding more calories.
Serve immediately. The cheesy nature of this dish can cause it to thicken considerably when allowed to sit for too long. Try to serve it fresh from the stovetop for the best bite.
Variations
Love this Chicken Tetrazzini recipe but want to switch up the flavors to keep it new and exciting? Try one of the ingredient/technique swaps below:
Use rotisserie chicken. Running extra short on time but still want a tasty homecooked meal? Use that leftover rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator in place of freshly cooked chicken breast.
Switch up the pasta. Not a linguine lover? No problem! Swap out the long flat noodles for any type of pasta you have in your pantry.
Bake to finish. Nothing compares to the delicious flavor of bubbly baked cheese. For extra flavor, pop your pan of pasta in an oven preheated to 375F for 10 minutes before serving.
What To Eat With Chicken Tetrazzini
If you want to serve some tasty sides with your Chicken Tetrazzini but aren’t sure what compliments the flavors the best, try some of our favorite side dishes:
Steamed Broccoli
Green Salad
Garlic Bread
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Cooked Carrots
How Long Does It Last?
Don’t be intimidated by how much pasta this dish makes. This Chicken Tetrazzini recipe makes fantastic leftovers! I love to make this on Sunday and pack it for lunches at the beginning of the week.
When stored in an airtight container, it will stay just as yummy as the day it was made for 3-4 days. Add a splash of milk to the chilled pasta before reheating in the microwave for 90 seconds to maintain the creaminess of the sauce.
Can You Freeze It?
Yes, you can freeze Chicken Tetrazzini. If you can’t enjoy all of your leftovers within 3-4 days, portion out the cooked pasta in a freezer-safe container and place it in the freezer. It will keep for up to 3 months.
Defrost the creamy chicken pasta in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat your leftovers according to the directions listed above.
If you love this Chicken Tetrazzini recipe as much as our family does, make sure you share it on social media so your friends can try it too! Don’t forget to bookmark it so you can make it again next time you’re craving something cozy.
Chicken Tetrazzini is a classic comfort cook that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Perfectly cooked pasta packed with creamy chicken and cheese flavor makes the perfect family-friendly weeknight dinner.
Cook the Chicken. Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium-low heat. Place the minced garlic into the heated oil. Stir until it is slightly toasted. Dice the chicken breasts into 1/2" bite-sized pieces. Add them to the garlic in the pan. Cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and has an internal temperature of 165F.
Prepare the Pasta. While the chicken is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add in the linguine noodles. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente.
Simmer the Sauce. Drain the water from the cooked pasta. ( Optional: Consider reserving a cup of pasta water to thin the sauce.) Return the pasta to the pan. Add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, and heavy cream to the pan with the pasta. Allow it to simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce is heated through and coats the pasta. Gently fold in the cooked chicken.
Garnish and Serve. Garnish the Chicken Tetrazzini with parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve and enjoy!
I'm married to my high school sweetheart and we have three amazing sons.
I love carbs, cheese, and all things spicy and deep fried. There's nothing that makes me happier than a full kitchen table and a family with a full belly!
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