Chicken Tetrazzini
A comforting and delicious dish combining perfectly cooked pasta, tender chicken, and a creamy sauce, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
- 500 g 500g / 1lb spaghetti or other long pasta, cooked per packet (penne, macaroni, ziti are okay too)
- 500 g 500g / 1lb chicken thighs, skinless boneless
Sauce
- 4 tbsp 4 tbsp flour
- 2 cups 2 cups milk, any fat, any type
- 1 cup 1 cup cream, heavy / thickened (or substitute with more milk)
- 2 cups 2 cups chicken stock/broth, low sodium (or water + 2 stock cubes)
- ½ tsp 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp 1 tsp salt
Vegetables and Butter
- 500 g 500g / 1lb mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cm / 1/5" thick
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp (30g) butter
- 4 tbsp 4 tbsp butter, unsalted
- 2 cloves 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion 1 onion, finely chopped
Cheese Topping
- 2 cups 2 cups cheese, shredded (cheddar, jack, colby) (not mozzarella)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken thighs and sear them on both sides until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and let it cool, then shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook until the mushrooms are soft and the onions are translucent.
- Sprinkle in the flour and stir for about a minute. Gradually whisk in the milk, cream, and chicken stock. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens. Add black pepper and salt.
Mixing and Baking
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and creamy sauce. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with shredded cheese. Bake for about 25–30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
Notes
Make sure not to overcook the pasta; you want it al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven. Feel free to add vegetables like peas or spinach for extra nutrition. For a crunchier top, mix some breadcrumbs with the cheese before baking.