Chicken Tetrazzini is perfect comfort food. It’s sort of a cross between a chicken pot pie and mac and cheese. This easy to make Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole is a one pot meal your family will love.
This is a recipe from The Heritage Cook. Jane is the mastermind behind The Heritage Cook. Every time I visit The Heritage Cook I find something new I wanted to make. Jane is an experienced cook and recipe developer, her site is filled with amazing recipes.
I originally shared this recipe as part of the Secret Recipe Club. Now I’ve joined a fun group of bloggers to put together a roundup of recipes on the first day of every month! This month we’re featuring casseroles. After you’ve checked out my version of Jane’s recipe, be sure and scroll to the bottom of the post for links to all the other casserole recipes!
Jane said her Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole is the perfect family dinner. I have to agree. It’s hearty, cheesy, creamy and delicious, and it makes a 9 x 13 pan, so it feeds a crowd.
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The next time you’re craving comfort food give this recipe a try. I made a few changes to suit my family’s tastes. Visit The Heritage Cook for the original recipe and to check out all her fabulous recipes.
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Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 14 oz. can chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 small onion peeled
- 1 carrot peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken breasts (2 large)
Filling
- 12 oz wide egg noodles fettuccine, or spaghetti (I used rotini)
- olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 carrots trimmed, split lengthwise, and chopped
- 3 stalks of celery chopped
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 1 clove fresh garlic minced
- 1 lb white button or cremini mushrooms ends trimmed, sliced thickly
- ½ teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
- ½ cup frozen petite peas no need to thaw
- 1-½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups homemade chicken stock or low-sodium canned chicken broth I used the poaching broth
- 1-¾ cups half & half
Toppings
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1-½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Poach the Chicken: Combine the chicken broth, bay leaves, peppercorns, salt and vegetables in a large stock pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, carefully skimming off and discarding any foam and grease that accumulates on the surface, before adding the chicken. Add the chicken breasts whole and cook the chicken just below a boil for 15 minutes.
- Move the pot to the back of the stove and cool the chicken in the poaching liquid. The chicken will finish cooking gently, leaving it moist and tender. When cool enough to handle, remove from the broth and cut into small pieces. Return chicken to the broth until needed for the casserole, straining before using. *NOTE: You can use this poaching liquid for most of the chicken stock used to make the sauce if desired.*
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook pasta until just under al dente; length of cooking time will be determined by type of pasta you choose. Remember that the pasta will bake in the oven, so you don’t want to overcook it at this point. Drain in a colander, transfer to a large bowl, toss with 2 tsp olive oil and set aside.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Meanwhile, in a large skillet, combine 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, and onion cooking until soft, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Add the mushrooms and marjoram and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are soft and have released their liquid, about 4 minutes. Add to the bowl with the pasta. Stir in the chopped chicken, peas, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Make the White Sauce: In a saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle with the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes until the flour no longer smells raw. Whisk in the chicken stock and cook, stirring, until smooth and thick, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the half & half and bring to just below a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring regularly, until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour sauce over chicken, pasta, and vegetables, tossing until evenly coated. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with shredded cheese. In a small bowl toss together the Parmesan, panko, and parsley. Sprinkle seasoned breadcrumbs over the top. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve hot.
MORE CASSEROLE RECIPES YOU’LL WANT TO TRY
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Casserole from It’s Yummi!
Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole from Barbara Bakes
Spinach & Chicken Enchiladas Bake from Tara Teaspoon
Chicken Noodle Soup Casserole from Frugal Foodie Mama
Pizza Pasta Casserole from I Heart Eating
Ham & Mac Casserole from Around My Family Table
Green Chile Chicken and Rice Casserole from Bread Booze Bacon
Chicken Noodle Casserole from Kleinworth & Co.
Spinach & Mushroom Alfredo Baked Ziti from It Bakes Me Happy
Chicken Tortilla Casserole from Home.Made.Interest.
Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe from The Life Jolie Blog
Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake from The Two Bite Club
Pizza Tortellini Skillet Casserole from Cooking on the Front Burner
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli & Rice Casserole from House of Nash Eats
Pin It:
April
I have seen this before too, but never made it. It looks like a family pleaser!
Blond Duck
Have a fabulous Wednesday!
Sue
I am a huge casserole fan and this one looks like a winner~ “Stick to your ribs” and flavorful:)
Desserts In My Kitchen
That casserole looks so good. I love putting together casseroles, and this one looks very tasty 🙂
Kim - Liv Life
One of my favorite casseroles! But I haven’t made this in nearly a year… I think I’ll just copy this one and give it a go. Thanks for the inspiration! Nicely done on your SRC post!
Delishhh
This looks fabulous. Nice work on the Secret Recipe Club. Isn’t it fun. I love finding new blogs and reading through them.
Maria
Classic comfort food!
Bizzy
It does sound like comfort food. I have to visit Jane’s blog.
Lauren from Lauren's Latest
Baked pastas always seem to be family favorites, don’t they! Looks fabulous!
natalie (the sweets life)
chicken tetrazzini is one of my all time favorites!
Angie's Recipes
Casserole could have looked this beautiful!
Claire @ Claire K Creations
Ooh that does look good. The perfect winter dinner.
Cookin' Canuck
You’re right – this is definitely comfort food. This would be a great make-ahead dish for busy weeks.
Katrina
Mmm, love comfort food–especially pasta.
foodwanderings
Hi Barbara, Dropped by to say hi and see what new recipes you came up with. This dish looks so comforting delicious!
Tami
I have an easy version of chicken tetrazzini on my menu this week. I love all of the ingredients in your version. A perfect family meal.
Lisa~~
I haven’t had this dish in years and it looks wonderful.
Lisa~~
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
This looks so comforting mum! I think hubby would adore it too-he loves creamy/cheesey/roux sauces 🙂 xxx
Shumaila
That sounds so yummy! Great pick Barbara! Have never tried a tetrazzini before – wish I could have had a serving from yours!
gloria
Barbara this look delicious and yumm, nice recipe for Secret Recipe Club! gloria