Easy Instant Pot Chicken Mushroom Tetrazzini Recipe

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Creamy and cheesy pasta with tender chicken and mushrooms —this one-pot spaghetti recipe is perfect for busy weeknights! This Instant Pot chicken tetrazzini is a delicious dinner that is ready in less than 30 minutes!

Everyone loves a good Instant Pot recipe, and this is one of the best. If you love creamy pasta dishes with lots of flavors, then you will love this delicious recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Mushroom Tetrazzini! It only takes 30 minutes to make and has a tangy sour cream sauce that will have your mouth watering before it’s even finished cooking. This dish will become an instant favorite in your house – not to mention all the leftovers you’ll have for lunch tomorrow!

Want more delicious Instant Pot recipes to try out?  Want to experiment more with your Instant Pot? Then you could try this Instant Pot Chicken Marsala for another creamy chicken recipe. Or for something for the BBQ season, make Instant Pot BBQ Pork Tenderloin.

If you loved this recipe, and you’d like some more pasta ideas, try try my Instant Pot Italian Chicken Penne Pasta or you could try this simple Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta for a delicious French-inspired recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s quick and simple to make. This 30-minute chicken Tetrazzini is made entirely in the instant pot. Delicious dinner has never been this easy!
• If you’re looking for a completely different twist on your spaghetti night routine, this absolutely delicious Instant Pot Chicken Tetrazzini recipe is for you. It will be a hit with your kids and spouse and will quickly become a family favorite if you include it on your menu plans.
• The ingredients are simple to come by. You can get them at your local grocery shop. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to eat like a king.

What Is Tetrazzini?

Tetrazzini is a satisfying and creamy pasta dish that combines tender meats, mushrooms, and pasta in a rich, flavorful sauce. Traditionally named after the Italian opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini, this dish pays homage to Italian-American cuisine. 

The unique thing about Tetrazzini is its versatility; it can be made with chicken, turkey, or seafood, making it a fantastic way to repurpose leftovers. Served over spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine and baked to perfection with a crispy, cheesy topping, Tetrazzini offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors that comfort food lovers adore.

What’s In This Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe

• Chicken breasts: The star of the dish, chicken breasts are used for their lean texture and mild flavor, which perfectly complements the creamy sauce.
• Onion: A fundamental ingredient for adding depth and sweetness to the dish, onion is finely diced to meld seamlessly into the sauce.
• Cracked black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and enhances the overall flavor profile of the Tetrazzini, giving it a slight kick.
• Kosher salt: Used to season the dish, kosher salt dissolves quickly, ensuring a uniform taste throughout the pasta.
• Chicken broth: Forms the base of the sauce, chicken broth adds richness and brings all the flavors of the Tetrazzini together.
• Sour cream: Introduces a tangy creaminess to the sauce, sour cream makes the dish luxuriously smooth and rich.
• Cream of mushroom soup: This concentrated soup adds a velvety texture and deep mushroom flavor, amplifying the umami in the dish.
• Sliced white mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms add a meaty texture and earthy flavors, enhancing the complexity of the sauce.
• Monterey Jack cheese: Melts into the dish, providing a gooey texture and a mild, buttery flavor that perfectly ties together the creamy elements.
• Spaghetti noodles: Serve as the bed for the sauce and chicken, spaghetti noodles absorb the rich flavors and provide a satisfying chewiness to the dish.

The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Substitutions and Variations

• Turkey or Seafood: For a variation in protein, feel free to substitute the chicken breasts with leftover turkey or even a mix of seafood for a delightful twist.
• Vegetarian Option: To make this dish vegetarian, skip the meat altogether and add extra mushrooms or even incorporate other vegetables like bell peppers and spinach. Use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth.
• Extra Creaminess: If you desire an even creamier texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream or increase the amount of sour cream. Conversely, for a lighter version, you could use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
• Different Cheeses: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese for topping. Parmesan, cheddar, or a blend of Italian cheeses can add varied flavors and textures to the dish.
• Add Vegetables: Enhance the nutritional value and color by adding peas, carrots, or chopped spinach to the mix. They can be stirred in just before serving to maintain their vibrant colors and textures.
• Cream of Chicken soup: If you dont have cream of mushroom soup this will work with a slightly more chicken flavor rather than mushroom. 

How To Make Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Step by Step

1. Begin by combining 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth with the chicken breasts, diced onion, salt, and pepper in the instant pot. Set to cook under high pressure for 7-9 minutes, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked through. Once completed, carefully perform a manual pressure release. (Photo 1)

1. Next, take out the chicken to shred it. Following that, return the shredded chicken to the pot and incorporate the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, sliced mushrooms, the rest of the chicken broth, and the spaghetti noodles. Select high pressure again to cook for an additional 5 minutes, then manually release the pressure upon completion. (Photos 2 & 3)
2. To finish, stir in the Monterey Jack cheese until it’s well mixed through the dish. (Photo 4)

Recipe Tips

• Ensure pasta is covered in liquid: For the spaghetti noodles to cook evenly, make sure they are fully submerged in the chicken broth before sealing your instant pot. This prevents any dry spots and ensures a consistent texture.
• Shred chicken finely: To allow the chicken to integrate thoroughly with the creamy sauce and pasta, shred it as finely as you can. Larger chunks may result in uneven distribution of the chicken throughout the dish.
• Use room temperature dairy: Bringing your sour cream to room temperature before adding it to the pot can help prevent the sauce from breaking and ensure a smoother texture.
• Adjust seasoning to taste: After cooking, taste your Tetrazzini and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or even a bit of grated Parmesan if desired. Remember, the cheese will add a bit of saltiness as well.
• Stir gently after adding cheese: When incorporating the Monterey Jack cheese, stir the mixture gently to avoid breaking the pasta. The cheese should melt into the sauce seamlessly, creating a gooey, creamy texture.
• Allow to rest before serving: Giving your Chicken Tetrazzini a few minutes to rest after cooking will thicken the sauce slightly and make it easier to serve.

Alternative Cooking Methods

For those who appreciate a more hands-off approach, a slow cooker offers a great option. 

To adapt the recipe for a slow cooker, simply combine the chicken, broth, onion, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker and set it on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked. 

Then, proceed with shredding the chicken and adding the remaining ingredients except the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti separately according to the package instructions, and then mix it into the sauce just before serving. 

This method might require a bit of timing adjustment and separate cooking for the pasta, but it delivers a deeply infused flavor and tender chicken that falls apart beautifully.

Storing Tips 

If you’re making a creamy pasta, put it in the fridge within four hours after cooking it. Wrap the cooked pasta dish tightly in plastic wrap or store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. If refrigerated properly, your Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles with Cream of Mushroom Soup will last 3 to 5 days.

You have two alternatives for reheating leftover Chicken Tetrazzini: on the stovetop or in the microwave. If your sauce separates when reheating, you may need to stir it and add a bit more milk. If the leftovers are too dry, add a few teaspoons of milk, heavy cream, or chicken stock. Keep stirring ‘till hot.

Chicken Tetrazzini freezes quite well. Prepare the dish as instructed but allow it to cool completely before freezing. Store it in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before warming in the oven or on the stove, adding a splash of broth or milk if necessary to keep it creamy.

Serving Suggestions

This Instant Pot Chicken Tetrazzini dish is filling enough, but adding a couple of side dishes wouldn’t hurt!

• A green salad with vinaigrette dressing is an excellent way to begin any meal.
• Adding a vegetable side dish, such as our roasted Brussels sprouts or sautéed veggies, makes the meal healthier.
• Breadsticks with butter or focaccia with dipping oil go well with most Italian pasta dishes.

Recipe FAQs

Other Pasta Recipes You’re Sure To Love!

• BAKED ZITI PASTA WITH WHITE ALFREDO SAUCE
• INSTANT POT-CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH PASTA
• EASY, LOADED COLD ITALIAN TORTELLINI SALAD (WITH PEPPERONI!)
• CREAMY INSTANT POT SAUSAGE RIGATONI
• ZUCCHINI NOODLES WITH AN ARRABBIATA SAUCE

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