Chicken Tetrazzini is one of those classic nostalgic casseroles that is not only delicious but it’s food for the soul. This is a meal that is perfect for busy families, as it is easy to make, a kid approved, and what’s even better is that is freezer friendly and one that taste even better as the leftovers the next day. Add this to your menu for next week!
INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds- Chicken breast or rotisserie
1/2 cup - Onion
1/2 cup- Bell pepper
8oz - Mushrooms
3 tbsp - Butter
10 oz - Cream of chicken
10 oz - Cream of celery
6 qts- Chicken stock
16 oz - thin spaghetti noodles
2 cups - Shredded cheese
1/2 cup - Half and half
1/4 cup - Sour cream
PREP:
- Season chicken with seasoning of your choice (I used salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, and paprika) * If using a rotisserie chicken, shred and set aside
- Dice onion & bell pepper
- Slice mushrooms in 1/2-inch slices
- Boil your pasta (in chicken stock) until al dente, drain and set aside
DIRECTIONS:
- To an oiled pan on medium heat, sear chicken on each side (3-4 minutes depending on the thickness of your meat) or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove chicken and set aside allowing it to rest and cool. Once cool, chop chicken into bite size pieces.
- To the same pan add onion & peppers. Sauté for 1 minute or until translucent
- Add mushrooms and butter, stir until completely melted
- Add cans of cream of mushroom and chicken, stir until combined
- Add half and half & sour cream, stir until combined.
- Fold in 1 cup of cheese, until combined
- To a casserole dish, add pasta and cheese mixture and chicken, stir until fully incorporated.
- Top with the remaining cheese and bake at 375 degrees covered for 20 minutes, uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Garnish with green onions & ENJOY!!
NOTES:
- Rotisserie chicken is a great substitute, making it easy and quicker to put together
- I used chicken bouillon and add it to water when boiling my pasta. This way you can avoid buying a million cartons of broth and you are able to adjust the intensity of the flavor.
- Add additional half and half and/or sour cream if needed.
- When combing the pasta and cheese mixture, make sure you have just enough pasta to where the cheese is still the dominate ingredient. This will prevent your casserole from being dry after baking.
- Rotel tomatoes are a delicious addition, add half a can to the cheese mixture before pouring over the pasta.