Description
Deluxe Chicken Tetrazzini is a creamy, cheesy casserole combining tender shredded chicken, sautéed mushrooms, and perfectly cooked pasta in a rich, luscious sauce. This comforting dish bakes to a golden, bubbly perfection, perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Easy to customize and make-ahead friendly, it offers a balanced, protein-packed meal with depth and flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Protein
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breasts or thighs
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
Fat and Cooking Bases
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 8 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Thickener
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti or linguine until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, sauté or roast chicken breasts or thighs until fully cooked and easily shredded. Let the chicken cool slightly, then shred with forks.
- Sauté Aromatics and Mushrooms: In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, finely diced onions, and sliced mushrooms, cooking until tender and fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir to combine, cooking 1 to 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in shredded chicken, cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. Mix gently but thoroughly.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
Notes
- Don’t overcook pasta: al dente noodles hold up best during baking and prevent mushiness.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan: it melts better and delivers richer flavor than pre-grated versions.
- Let the sauce thicken: a thicker sauce avoids a watery casserole, ensuring creamy consistency.
- Rest before serving: allow the baked dish to sit for 5 to 10 minutes to set and make slicing easier.
- Double the mushrooms: for more umami depth, increase the mushroom quantity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg