Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (2024)

Chicken tetrazzini gets a makeover! It’s now packed with extra veggies, made with whole wheat noodles, and simmers in a lighter sauce. It’s a quick weeknight meal that is sure to win the kids over.

Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (1)Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (2)

Something about pasta makes it so very comforting! But it often gets a bad rap. True, many pasta dishes are not make with good nutrition in mind, but that doesn’t mean all pasta should be off-limits! In fact, pasta is great when eaten in moderation.

We decided to make-over chicken tetrazzini because it’s such a popular family classic. Now you can enjoy it without the guilt!

Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (3)

Chicken Tetrazzini Makeover

Here’s what we love about this healthier chicken tetrazzini recipe:

  • Lots’a veggies! Mushrooms + peas + summer squash.
  • Fiber-packed whole wheat noodles to help combat chronic diseases.
  • A lightened-up sauce with no cream, just milk, parmesan, and a little butter
  • Lean protein from chicken breasts help balance out the carbs.
  • You need carbs for energy! Whole wheat pasta is a great carb option – one that kids love.
Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (4)

So go ahead, enjoy some pasta! You can know you’re fueling your family with great stuff.

How to Make Chicken Tetrazzini

As always, begin with prep. Luckily it’s pretty simple! Cut the chicken into small cubes, dice the yellow squash (zucchini also works), and mince garlic. If you didn’t buy pre-cut mushrooms, also slice those. (But seriously, buy them pre-cut if you can – they’re the same price and save you a few minutes!)

Grab a large pot (everything will need to fit into here eventually) and heat it over medium heat. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and then sprinkle in a tablespoon of flour. Whisk it for a minute or two – it will become clumpy and then smooth out a bit. (This is called making a “roux.”)

Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (5)

Remove the pot from the heat and add a tablespoon of milk and whisk well. Add another tablespoon and whisk again. Repeat a few times and then add all the rest of the milk. Return to the heat and bring to a boil.

Once the milk boils, add 1 pound of whole wheat noodles. I used thin spaghetti, but really any pasta will work! Fettuccine is commonly used. Cook pasta to al dente according to the time listed on the packaging.

Now for the chicken and veggies

While the noodles are cooking, heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and then the mushrooms and chicken. Saute for 5 minutes, until the chicken is mostly not pink.

At this point, add the yellow squash/zucchini and garlic. Saute for another 5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Salt and pepper generously.

Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (7)

Time to put it all together

Now dump all the veggies and chicken (including and liquid) into the noodles, and place the pot over low heat. Add frozen peas (or fresh, if in season), Parmesan cheese, 1.5 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.

Mix until evenly mixed and creamy (not soupy). Serve warm with extra parmesan cheese, if desired.

Some chicken tetrazzini recipes also call for a bake at this point — so if that’s how you like it, go ahead and follow your preferred method. But personally, I like one less step!

Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (8)

What’s your favorite quick weeknight meal?

Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (9)

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Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini

Chicken tetrazzini gets a makeover! It’s now packed with extra veggies, made with whole wheat noodles, and simmers in a lighter sauce. It’s a quick weeknight meal that is sure to win the kids over.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 656kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Chop two small yellow squash into small cubes and slice 8 ounces (2.5 cups) of mushrooms. Mince 3 cloves garlic. Cut chicken into small pieces.

  • In a large pot, melt butter. Once melted, whisk in flour and continue to stir as it forms a paste and then thins out a bit. After 2-3 minutes, remove from the heat and whisk in a few tablespoons of the milk. Once fully incorporated, add a little more milk and whisk again. Do this a few times and then add all the rest of the milk at once.

  • Bring the milk mixture to a boil and then add 1 pound of whole wheat noodles. Cover and reduce heat to allow the noodles to simmer. Cook for as long as package directions indicate for “al dente” texture, stirring occasionally.

  • Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, then mushrooms and chicken. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, then add squash and garlic. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 5 more minutes, stirring at intervals.

  • Once the noodles are mostly cooked and the chicken is cooked, add the veggie and chicken mixture into the noodle pot. Also add frozen peas, Parmesan cheese, salt, and nutmeg. Stir over low heat until everything is well combined and no liquid remains.

  • Serve with extra Parmesan cheese for garnish, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 656kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 964mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 16g

Keyword : Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini

www.superhealthykids.com

Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (10)
Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (11)

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

Veggie-Packed Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is chicken tetrazzini sauce made of? ›

The basis of Tetrazzini sauce is a béchamel sauce. While a basic béchamel is made with just butter, flour and milk, for Tetrazzini, we dial up the deliciousness by adding chicken stock (for flavour), cream (for richness) and cheese (a good thing in anything!).

Why is Tetrazzini called Tetrazzini? ›

The dish is named after the Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini. The origins of tetrazzini are widely disputed. Some accounts ascribe tetrazzini as a creation of Auguste Escoffier.

What is turkey tetrazzini made of? ›

Try this American classic turkey casserole—turkey Tetrazzini—a hearty pasta bake that includes sautéed mushrooms, a cheesy creamy sauce, leftover turkey, peas, and egg noodles.

What is this pink sauce stuff? ›

Ingredients disclosed on the Pink Sauce website include water, sunflower seed oil, raw honey, distilled vinegar, garlic, pitaya or dragon fruit, pink Himalayan sea salt, dried spices, lemon juice, milk, and citric acid.

What is Tetrazzini in English? ›

adjective. (often lowercase) served over pasta with a cream sauce, often flavored with sherry, sprinkled with cheese, and browned in the oven: chicken Tetrazzini.

What country is Chicken Tetrazzini from? ›

Chicken Tetrazzini is an American dish. It's unclear which chef, but a chef, created it in honor of Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini when she debuted as Gilda in Rigoletto in San Francisco in 1905.

How do you use tetrazzini in a sentence? ›

The restaurant was full of people enjoying a plate of turkey tetrazzini. Turkey tetrazzini is a great way of using up leftover turkey.

Why is it called killer spaghetti? ›

The name assassina, which means killer, refers not to the felony, but rather the risottatura cooking technique that cooks pasta like risotto. Instead of boiling the spaghetti, it's cooked directly in the pan by consistently adding water to it each time the pasta absorbs it.

Who invented tetrazzini? ›

In 1910, Chef Ernest Arbogast invented Chicken Tetrazzini for an Italian opera singer named Luisa Tetrazzini. Served over pasta, this rich chicken dish calls for a cream sauce with almonds, parmesan, and wine. In 1923, the Palace Hotel's Chef Philip Roemer created the Green Goddess Salad Dressing.

Why is it called John Wayne casserole? ›

John Wayne first wrote the casserole recipe, but it looks a little different today. John Wayne Casserole was first popularized by the 1979 cookbook, "Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends," a collection of different celebrities' favorite dishes.

What is pasta called in turkey? ›

Turkish Makarna (Pasta) Much of Turkish food is prepared with vegetables, nuts, flavorings, spices, and either seafood or meat, which makes them just loaded with flavor, and generally healthy for people to eat.

How many carbs are in chicken Tetrazzini? ›

Sweet Tomatoes
Nutrition Facts
How many net carbs are in Chicken Tetrazzini? Amount of net carbs in Chicken Tetrazzini: Net carbs 44g-
How much fiber is in Chicken Tetrazzini? Amount of fiber in Chicken Tetrazzini: Fiber 3g12%
How much glucose is in Chicken Tetrazzini? Amount of glucose in Chicken Tetrazzini: Glucose 4g
17 more rows

Does turkey and chicken broth taste the same? ›

Turkey broth tastes like turkey....and chicken broth tastes like chicken. Calling one "stronger" is rather like saying that beef broth is stronger than pork broth. Different animals different tastes. If you add more water you will just get watery broth that still tastes like turkey.

What is cream pasta sauce called? ›

While bechamel sauce is made with milk and flour, alfredo sauce is mainly made with heavy cream and cheese. Both have a creamy texture that thoroughly coats pasta noodles, but bechamel tends to be thicker than alfredo sauce.

What is white pasta sauce made of? ›

White Sauce Pasta is simply cooked pasta mixed with a silky smooth & decadent white sauce made of milk, butter and flour. White Sauce also known as Bechamel Sauce has its origin from the Italian & French Cuisines. In classic culinary terms, this is what is known as a mother sauce.

What is traditional pasta sauce made of? ›

Sit tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, wine, tomato paste, chicken bouillon granules, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper with the onion mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cook at a simmer, stirring frequently, for 1 hour.

What is cream sauce pasta made of? ›

Truth is all you need is cream, freshly grated parmesan cheese and a pinch of salt. Some recipes include milk or flour. This will lower the calories in the dish but will also reduce flavour.

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