Easy Ina Garten Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe: Comfort in a Dish

Chicken tetrazzini transforms mundane weeknight dinners into culinary adventures that spark excitement around the family table.

Comfort food enthusiasts adore this creamy pasta dish that combines tender protein with rich, velvety sauce.

Hearty and satisfying, chicken tetrazzini represents a classic casserole that feels simultaneously nostalgic and sophisticated.

Sophisticated home cooks appreciate the delicate balance of textures and flavors in this timeless recipe.

Pasta lovers recognize how perfectly cooked noodles absorb the luxurious cream-based mixture, creating a harmonious blend of ingredients.

Elegant yet approachable, this dish bridges the gap between gourmet cooking and home-style meals that everyone craves.

Families will appreciate how quickly this meal comes together, offering maximum flavor with minimal effort: dive into deliciousness.

Why Ina Garten’s Chicken Tetrazzini Is a Crowd-Pleaser

• Savor Creamy Comfort: Dive into a rich, velvety chicken pasta dish that wraps you in pure comfort food warmth, with each bite delivering a luxurious blend of tender chicken and silky sauce.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Whip up this incredibly easy one-dish meal that comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy families craving a delicious home-cooked dinner without complicated preparation.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Indulge in a generous blanket of melted Parmesan and Mozzarella that creates a golden, crispy top and adds irresistible cheesy goodness to every single forkful of this classic casserole.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Enjoy a recipe that works magic for everything from casual family dinners to potluck gatherings, satisfying both kids and adults with its familiar, crowd-pleasing flavors and hearty ingredients.

Essential Ingredients for Ina Garten Chicken Tetrazzini

• Cooked Chicken: The main protein that brings heartiness and flavor to the dish.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and deepens the chicken flavor in the casserole.

• Sour Cream, Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates a rich, creamy base that helps bind the casserole together.
• Butter: Provides smoothness and helps enhance the overall richness of the dish.
• Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Adds a golden, melty topping with a delicious cheesy flavor.

• Pasta Noodles: The foundation of the casserole, providing texture and substance.
• Garlic Salt, Black Pepper: Brings essential seasoning and depth to the entire dish.

Steps to Make Ina Garten Chicken Tetrazzini

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and lightly grease it with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Boil the pasta according to package instructions until it reaches al dente perfection. Drain the water completely and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Mixture

• Cooked chicken (shredded or cubed)
• Cream of chicken soup
• Sour cream
• Softened butter
• Chicken broth
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper

Stir the ingredients until they’re thoroughly blended. Gently fold in the cooked pasta, ensuring everything is evenly coated.

Step 4: Transfer to Baking Dish

Pour the creamy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 5: Add Cheesy Topping

• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese

over the entire surface of the dish.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes. The Chicken Tetrazzini is ready when the cheese is completely melted and develops a golden, bubbly crust.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. This comforting dish pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables.

Tips for Outstanding Ina Garten Chicken Tetrazzini

• Rescue Soggy Sauce: Combat excess liquid by adding breadcrumbs or letting the casserole rest before serving to absorb extra moisture.
• Customize Protein Swap: Replace chicken with turkey, shrimp, or vegetarian alternatives like mushrooms to match your taste preferences.
• Boost Flavor Layers: Mix in roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, or fresh herbs like thyme and parsley for unexpected depth.
• Control Creamy Consistency: Use a combination of heavy cream and chicken broth to balance richness without overwhelming the dish.
• Freeze Smart Strategy: Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and freeze unbaked for up to one month, thawing overnight before cooking.

Safekeeping Ina Garten Chicken Tetrazzini

• Vacuum Seal Method: Preserve maximum freshness by vacuum sealing individual portions in airtight bags. Remove all air to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor intensity for up to 2 months.
• Divided Container Strategy: Separate the Chicken Tetrazzini into smaller meal-sized portions before refrigerating. Use glass or leak-proof containers with tight-fitting lids to keep ingredients fresh and prevent cross-contamination.
• Moisture Restoration Technique: Revive slightly dried-out pasta by drizzling fresh cream or chicken broth before reheating. Gently stir to redistribute moisture and recreate the original creamy texture. Cover with a damp paper towel while microwaving to prevent additional drying and ensure even heating.

Alternate Approaches to Ina Garten Chicken Tetrazzini

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace regular chicken with grilled Mediterranean-spiced chicken breast, add fresh oregano, rosemary, and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate diced green chiles, swap Parmesan for pepper jack cheese, use rotisserie chicken, and sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top for a zesty southwestern flair.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Edition: Substitute chicken with roasted portobello mushrooms, add sautéed wild mushroom blend, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and include additional herbs like thyme for robust earthy flavors.
• Seafood Coastal Style: Replace chicken with flaked white fish or crab meat, add diced shrimp, include fresh dill, use light cream instead of sour cream, and top with panko breadcrumbs for a crispy seafood variation.

Looking Back at Ina Garten Chicken Tetrazzini

Comfort cuisine reaches new heights with Ina Garten’s Chicken Tetrazzini, a masterpiece blending creamy textures and savory chicken.

Pasta lovers will discover pure culinary bliss in this classic dish that whispers nostalgia and warmth.

Garten’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that satisfies deep hunger and emotional cravings.

Hearty cheese blankets tender noodles, creating a symphony of flavors dancing across dinner plates.

Families gathering around this spectacular casserole will experience moments of genuine connection and delightful memories.

When you serve this incredible recipe, watch smiles spread, conversations spark, and taste buds celebrate – so grab those ingredients, share this recipe with friends, drop a comment below, and click that like button to spread delicious joy!

Ina Garten Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chicken tetrazzini brings classic Italian-American comfort to dinner tables with creamy pasta and tender chicken. Rich parmesan cheese and delicate mushrooms create a luxurious casserole you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Pasta and Protein:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) cooked pasta linguini
• 4 chicken cooked breasts, diced

Dairy and Cheese:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) sour cream
• ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (226 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt with parsley flakes
• ½ teaspoon pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the kitchen workspace by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 9-x-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions until perfectly tender, ensuring a slight firmness. Once done, drain thoroughly and set aside.
3. Create the creamy mixture by combining shredded cooked chicken, condensed chicken soup, sour cream, softened butter, chicken broth, garlic salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients until smooth and well-integrated.
4. Fold the cooked pasta into the chicken mixture, gently stirring to ensure even distribution of sauce and ingredients.
5. Transfer the complete mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a consistent layer.
6. Generously sprinkle Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses across the entire surface, covering the chicken and pasta mixture completely.
7. Place the uncovered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Look for a golden-brown cheese top and bubbling edges as indicators of perfect doneness.
8. Remove from oven and let the Chicken Tetrazzini rest for 5-7 minutes to allow the sauce to settle and flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

• Customize your cheesy chicken pasta by experimenting with different cheese blends or adding sautéed mushrooms for an extra flavor boost.
• Rotisserie chicken transforms this dish into a quick and effortless meal, saving precious time during busy weeknights.
• Freezing portions ensures you’ll have a comforting meal ready whenever hunger strikes or unexpected guests arrive.
• Pair this creamy casserole with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the rich, indulgent flavors.
• Leftovers stay delicious for 3-4 days, making it a smart choice for meal prep and budget-conscious cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 602
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 974 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 119 mg