Easy Chicken Tetrazzini
Easy Chicken Tetrazzini is one of those cozy casseroles that works especially well when you already have cooked chicken waiting in the fridge. Tender spaghetti and chicken are coated in a rich, creamy sauce, then topped with mozzarella and cheddar cheese and baked until hot and bubbly. It’s filling, family-friendly, and a great way to turn leftover or rotisserie chicken into dinner.
Just about any plain cooked chicken will work. You can use baked chicken, slow cooker chicken, leftover chicken breasts or thighs, or shredded rotisserie chicken. Chop or shred it before adding it to the sauce.
Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Since it will be starting cold, it may need a little additional baking time. I would wait to bake it until shortly before serving for the best pasta texture.
Yes. Spaghetti is traditional for this recipe, but linguine, fettuccine, or another pasta with a similar texture can work. Short pasta such as penne or rotini can also be used. Cook whichever pasta you choose just until al dente before adding it to the casserole.
Yes. Let leftovers cool, then store them in an airtight freezer-safe container. Keep in mind that creamy pasta sauces can change slightly in texture after freezing and thawing.
Ingredient Notes
- Spaghetti: The pasta base for the casserole.
- Cooked chicken: Use chopped or shredded chicken. Rotisserie chicken works well here too.
- Cream of chicken soup: Helps create the creamy sauce.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Adds another layer of savory flavor.
- Sour cream: Makes the sauce extra creamy.
- Butter: Adds richness to the sauce.
- Chicken broth: Loosens the sauce so it coats the chicken and pasta.
- Salt and pepper: For seasoning.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully over the casserole.
- Cheddar cheese: Adds plenty of cheesy flavor.
- Parsley: Optional for a little color before serving.
How to Make Easy Chicken Tetrazzini
- Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray, set aside. In large bowl whisk together soups, sour cream, butter, chicken broth, salt and pepper until combined.
- Fold in your chicken until coated.
- Add your spaghetti and toss to combine, pour into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with your cheeses.
- Bake in oven for 40-45 minutes until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley if desired.
Tools I used for this Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
Baking Dish: This dish is safe for microwave, oven, broiler and freezer. It’s also great for storing and reheating leftovers!
Whisk: This trusty whisk is great for many of my recipes!
Spaghetti Spoon: This Spaghetti Server lifts, portions and serves spaghetti, linguini and angel hair pasta.
Easy Chicken Tetrazzini
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Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti cooked
- 1 lb chicken cooked and chopped
- 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- Parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray, set aside. In large bowl whisk together soups, sour cream, butter, chicken broth, salt and pepper until combined.
- Fold in your chicken until coated.
- Add your spaghetti and toss to combine, pour into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with your cheeses.
- Bake in oven for 40-45 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley if desired.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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Originally Posted: August 2019
Updated: September 2026
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Instead of sour cream can you use plain yogurt instead
This is my go to recipe for chicken tetrazzini! My wife absolutely loves it. Thank you!
(Once I had to substitute the chicken broth for bouillon chicken broth and if anyone has to do that I suggest using half the amount of salt, but if you have everything just follow this amazing recipe to a tee!)
I had company and made this recipe. Would like to know if it freezes well. If so do you cook it first?
Yes this freezes well. You can pre plan your menu for the week ahead of time with this dish. Pop it in the fridg from the freezer before you leave work so it won’t take so long to bake once you get home. This saves a lot of time when you are having a busy week at work.
I used Linguine noodles and only baked for 30 minutes. Came out perfect, moist and creamy. I cut the chicken into smaller bits than shown. Absolutely delicious
Made this tonight for dinner, was super easy and very good.