This Instant Pot Chicken Tetrazzini recipe makes the comforting and classic dish everyone adores in less than an hour and with a lot less work! And everything is made in your IP, which means you get all that delicious flavor and cheesiness without all the dishes!
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy – Made in a single pot = Fewer dishes! Perfect all-in-one dinner.
- Fast – Instant Pot magic does its thing again! Done in under 45 minutes from start to finish.
- It’s SO good! – The flavor! The cheesiness! So comforting and delicious, no one can resist this recipe.
My family loves Chicken Tetrazzini, and so do I. It’s so comforting and delicious, what’s not to love? But honestly, sometimes it’s a hassle to make, and a mess to clean up. Not anymore! The Instant Pot performs its magic once again with this simple Instant Pot Chicken Tetrazzini.
It’s all the same cheesy deliciousness and fantastic flavor of the classic comfort food casserole, but all made in a single pot! And did I mention it’s finished in less than 45 minutes?! It’s the perfect all-in-one dinner that no one can resist!
Serve this easy tetrazzini with some homemade garlic bread and roasted broccoli or a side salad for a fantastically fast weeknight dinner. And like traditional tetrazzini, leftovers are incredible the next day!
I Have Instant Pot Phobia. What Do I Do?
I totally get it! A lot of people still have the Instant Pot they got a few years ago sitting in its box untouched. They’ve heard the pressure cooker horror stories from their grandmothers and transfer those fears to the Instant Pot.
I’ve heard them too, but those were the old-timey pressure cookers, and technology has come a long way since Granny’s time.
I’m going to go into mom-mode for a second here: At least try to make friends. How do you know you won’t like it until you’ve spent some time together?
Do yourself a huge favor and set aside a morning when you have a couple hours. I know, I know, but try. Take the IP out of the dark corner you keep it in and just place it on the counter. Make yourself a cup of coffee. Sit on the couch and read the manual while you enjoy your drink.
When you’re ready, plug in the Instant Pot and perform the “water test”. Then try one or two easy recipes like rice or pasta, or make some hard-boiled eggs or mashed potatoes. Before you know it, you’ll be using your Instant Pot weekly!
IP Chicken Tetrazzini Ingredients
Butter – Can be substituted with olive oil.
Onion – White or yellow onion.
Chicken – Use boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Liquid – Chicken broth, chicken stock, vegetable broth or water can be used.
Cream of mushroom soup
Mushrooms – Fresh is best, but canned works, too.
Seasonings – Keep it simple with salt and pepper.
Pasta – Spaghetti is traditionally used for tetrazzini, but fettuccine or angel hair pasta can be used.
Cream cheese – Just a little bit goes a long way. Omit for a healthier meal.
Mozzarella cheese – Or any white melty cheese.
Italian parsley – To dress up the presentation and flavor. Optional!
How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Tetrazzini
Follow recipe card instructions closely for the best results.
Step 1
Set the Instant Pot to saute function. Let the butter heat inside the pot for 3 minutes. Add the onion to the pot and cook until soft and fragrant.
Press the cancel button to stop the sauté setting.
Step 2
Add the chicken breasts and the chicken broth to the pot. Deglaze the pot (scrape the bottom with a spoon) and mix well.
Secure lid, close pressure valve and set the timer to 7 minutes on high pressure (use the pressure cook button).
When cook time is complete, do an immediate quick release.
Step 3
Remove and transfer chicken to a cutting board and shred. Add shredded chicken back to the pot with the cream of mushroom soup, mushrooms, salt and pepper. Mix well.
Break the spaghetti noodles in half and add them to the pot, separating them as much as possible with fork tines and making sure they are completely covered with liquid.
Do not stir mixture after this point!
Step 4
Place the cover back on the pot and set timer to 7 minutes on high pressure (pressure cook setting).
When cook time is done, do an immediate quick release.
Remove cover and stir, breaking noodles up if some of them have stuck together.
Step 5
Add the cheeses and stir until melted. Let sit in the pot for 5 minutes to thicken.
Top with fresh parsley and serve!
Recipe Notes & Tips
- Some of the noodles may be slightly stuck together when cook time is up. Don’t worry, this is normal! Give the mixture a good stir. Use fork tines to separate the noodles, if needed. Put the lid back on the pot and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir and serve!
- You can easily sub linguine or fettuccine for the spaghetti. Angel hair will work as well!
- You can also make this recipe with shredded turkey. Great for Thanksgiving leftovers.
- Omit the mushrooms and sub the cream of mushroom for cream of chicken if any of your picky eaters don’t like mushrooms
- Fun Fact: This wildly popular comfort food is named after the world famous, early 20th century Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini.
Why Does it Take My Instant Pot So Long to Pressurize
I know sometimes you want to look at your Instant Pot as it just gets started and ask “What is going ON in there?!” The time leading up to when the IP actually starts cooking may seem long and even confusing, but it’s an important part of the process!
The Instant Pot takes some time because it is working on building up the appropriate amount of pressure it needs to cook the food. Most recipes take between 10 and 25 minutes to build up pressure before the actual cooking begins.
The Instant Pot also handles liquids and solids differently and also fresh and frozen differently, so the time to build up the proper pressure can vary.
What is the Difference Between Chicken Alfredo and Chicken Tetrazzini?
The main difference between Alfredo and Tetrazzini is the cooking methods of the two creamy pasta dishes. Fettuccine Alfredo is usually made by tossing cooked pasta in the creamy Alfredo sauce, while Tetrazzini is a combined pasta dish that is then baked as a casserole.
But the differences go far beyond just that. Alfredo sauce consists simply of butter, parmesan cheese, and cream. Tetrazzini sauce is closer to a bechamel sauce and is made with flour, butter, broth or stock, milk or cream, and sometimes white wine
Both are absolutely delicious and make for fantastic family dinners. If you’re looking for a simple and tasty Alfredo, check out my easy Chicken Alfredo recipe!
What To Serve With Chicken Tetrazzini
These are my FAVORITE go-alongs to serve with chicken tetrazzini! The flavor combinations with the creamy tetrazzini are simply sublime.
- Simple Chopped Salad
- Homemade Garlic Bread or Dinner Rolls
- Oven-Roasted Broccoli
- Roasted Mixed Vegetables
How to Store Chicken Tetrazzini
Place leftovers in an airtight container. Allow the tetrazzini to cool completely before covering and transferring to the refrigerator. Leftovers will be good for 4-5 days when stored properly.
Can You Freeze Chicken Tetrazzini?
Chicken Tetrazzini freezes incredibly well! I like to freeze family-size and individual portions.
Allow leftovers to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Allow the frozen tetrazzini to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat
If the tetrazzini seems a little dry, you can add a very small amount of broth, water or cream before reheating to loosen it up a bit.
In the Oven – Place in a pie dish or small baking dish and cover lightly with foil. Heat in a preheated 400° oven for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.
On the Stove Top – In a large saucepan or saute pan with a little liquid over medium heat for about 7-10 minutes until hot.
In the Microwave – Heat for 2 minutes stir and heat again for 1 minute.
Best Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Goulash
- Pressure Cooker Asparagus
- Instant Pot Baked Beans
- Cheesecake in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Ham
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Instant Pot Chicken Tetrazzini
Equipment
- 1 Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to saute function. Let the butter heat inside the pot for 3 minutes. Add the onion to the pot and cook until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Press the cancel button to stop the sauté setting from continuing to cook.
- Add the chicken breasts and the chicken broth to the pot. Deglaze the pot (scrape the bottom with a spoon) and mix well.
- Secure lid, close pressure valve and set the timer to 7 minutes on high pressure (use the pressure cook button). It will take the Instant Pot around 9 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
- When cook time is up, do an immediate quick release.
- Remove the cover and transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot.
- Add the cream of mushroom soup, mushrooms, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Break the spaghetti noodles in half and add them to the pot, separating them as much as possible with fork tongs and making sure they are completely covered with liquid. Do not stir mixture after this point!
- Place the cover on the pot and set timer to 7 minutes on high pressure (pressure cook setting). It will take the IP around 12 minutes to build up pressure before it begins cooking.
- When cooking is done, do an immediate quick release.
- Remove cover and stir, breaking noodles up if some of them have stuck together. Add the cream cheese and mozzarella and stir until cheeses have melted. Let sit in the pot for 5 minutes.
- Top with fresh parsley and serve!
Video
Notes
- Some of the noodles may be slightly stuck together when cook time is up. Don’t worry, this is normal! Give the mixture a good stir. Use fork tines to separate the noodles, if needed. Put the lid back on the pot and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir and serve!
- You can easily sub linguine or fettuccine for the spaghetti. Angel hair will work as well!
- You can also make this recipe with shredded turkey. Great for Thanksgiving leftovers.
- Omit the mushrooms and sub the cream of mushroom for cream of chicken if any of your picky eaters don’t like mushrooms
- Fun Fact: This wildly popular comfort food is named after the world famous, early 20th century Italian opera star Luisa Tetrazzini.
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