Chicken Tetrazzini

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

In this chicken tetrazzini recipe, spaghetti, chicken, broccoli and cheese are mixed with a from-scratch sauce (no canned soups), and baked until bubbly. A delicious, hearty dinner, that’s a perfect way to use leftover chicken.

Chicken Tetrazzini with two forks


We often find ourselves with lots of leftover chicken – from baked chicken breasts, slow cooker pulled chicken, rotisserie chicken, etc. and I love using it to make this chicken tetrazzini recipe.

This chicken tetrazzini is made with a rich and flavorful from-scratch sauce, and doesn’t use any canned soup. It’s a hearty main dish that your whole family will love, and the perfect way to use leftover chicken.

This recipe is a meal all by itself, and is a great one to make for friends and neighbors!

Chicken Tetrazzini in a baking dish with two forks

Chicken Tetrazzini: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead view of the labeled ingredients in this Chicken Tetrazzini recipe
  • Spaghetti. We use regular spaghetti noodles but any shape of pasta works well in this recipe. I also have used chickpea pasta (gluten-free) with great results.
  • Chicken. Use leftover pulled chicken, baked chicken breasts, or a rotisserie chicken!
  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too.
  • All-purpose flour. Gluten-free all-purpose works well in this recipe.
  • Whole milk. You need 1 cup of liquid dairy. Half and half is a great substitute for whole milk. Or you can use ½ cup whole milk and  ½ cup heavy cream.
  • Broccoli. I use frozen broccoli because it’s easy. Fresh broccoli cut in small pieces works well too. If you don’t love broccoli you can substitute your favorite vegetable(s) or omit it.
up close photo fo a fork taking a bite of Chicken Tetrazzini

How to Make Chicken Tetrazzini

We’ll walk through how to make chicken tetrazzini step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by cooking the spaghetti. First, break the spaghetti noodles in half.

uncooked pasta noodles cut in half to make Chicken Tetrazzini

Then, cook the noodles according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and set aside in a large bowl but do not rinse.

two photos showing pasta being cooked then drained to make Chicken Tetrazzini

Make the Sauce

While the spaghetti is cooking, make the sauce. Start by melting butter in a large pot.

melted butter in a pot

Then, add the onion and garlic and cook until onion is soft (about 4 minutes).

onions and butter in a pot

Next, add the flour, sea salt and pepper and whisk to combine and cook for 30-60 seconds until the mixture starts bubbling.

two photos showing making the roux for Chicken Tetrazzini sauce

Then, add chicken broth, whole milk and Italian seasoning, whisk to combine, and cook until the mixture starts to thicken (it will boil).

two photos showing making the sauce for Chicken Tetrazzini

Once the mixture is thickened, whisk in the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses until melted.

two photos showing making the sauce for Chicken Tetrazzini

Assemble the Chicken Tetrazzini

When the sauce is finished, turn off the heat, and add the spaghetti, broccoli and chicken to the sauce and stir to combine.

two photos showing assembling the Chicken Tetrazzini

Then, in a separate bowl, combine the topping ingredients.

Chicken Tetrazzini cheese topping in a small bowl

Then, pour the chicken tetrazzini mixture into the prepared 9×9″ baking dish.

Chicken Tetrazzini in a baking dish before baking

Next, evenly sprinkle the mixture over the top of the chicken tetrazzini in the pan.

Chicken Tetrazzini with the topping in a baking dish before baking

Bake

Then, cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil.

two photos showing Chicken Tetrazzini covered in foil then after baking

Bake the chicken tetrazzini for an additional 5-10 minutes, uncovered, until the top is lightly browned and the filling is bubbly.  

Chicken Tetrazzini in a baking dish after baking

Serve

Serve warm with a garnish of fresh parsley (if desired). The great thing about this chicken tetrazzini is that it’s an entire meal in one baking dish.

Sometimes we like to serve it with some homemade bread (homemade french bread, no knead bread, or homemade dinner rolls) and a green salad like kale salad or burrata salad.

Chicken Tetrazzini in a baking dish with a serving spoon

Store/Freeze

Store leftover chicken tetrazzini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven.

Chicken Tetrazzini on a plate with a fork

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe FAQs

What is Chicken Tetrazzini made of?

This recipe includes a homemade sauce made of milk, cheese, butter, & spices, as well as leftover chicken, broth, broccoli and spaghetti.

Can I halve this recipe?

Yes, to make a smaller amount halve the ingredients and bake in an 8×8″ pan.

Can I use turkey instead?

Yes – check out our turkey tetrazzini recipe.

Chicken Tetrazzini in a baking dish with 2 forks

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

Laura
In this chicken tetrazzini recipe, spaghetti, chicken, broccoli and cheese are mixed with a from-scratch sauce (no canned soups), and baked until bubbly. A delicious, hearty dinner, that's a perfect way to use leftover chicken.
5 from 2 votes
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 16 Servings
Calories 193
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  • Break spaghetti noodles in half, then cooking according to package instructions. Drain and set aside in a large bowl but do not rinse.
  • While spaghetti is cooking, in a large stockpot melt butter.
  • Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is soft (about 4 minutes).
  • Add flour, sea salt and pepper and whisk to combine. Cook for 30-60 seconds until mixture starts bubbling.
  • Add chicken broth and whole milk and whisk to combine. Cook until the mixture just starts to thicken.
  • Whisk in parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and 1 cup mozzarella cheese until melted.
  • Add sauce, broccoli and chicken to the spaghetti and stir to combine.
  • Pour mixture into a 9×9” pan. Top with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10 or until bubbly. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
  • Spaghetti. We use regular spaghetti noodles but any shape of pasta works well in this recipe. I also have used chickpea pasta (gluten-free) with great results.
  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well too.
  • All-purpose flour. Gluten-free all-purpose works well in this recipe.
  • Whole milk. You need 1 cup of liquid dairy. Half and half is a great substitute for whole milk. Or you can use ½ cup whole milk and  ½ cup heavy cream.
  • Broccoli. I use frozen broccoli because it’s easy. Fresh broccoli cut in small pieces works well too. If you don’t love broccoli you can substitute your favorite vegetable(s) or omit it.
Store/Freeze
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cup | Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 445mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 419IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 1mg

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

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

More Delicious Recipes




latest recipes

Post a Comment or Ask a Question!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




1 Comment