Sunday, December 4, 2011

Chicken Tetrazzini


This time of year I start craving comfort food like...rich creamy casseroles.  And even though I have never had it before I have always considered Chicken Tetrazzini the "Queen of All Casseroles"...really only because it has such a fancy name.  Since I had not made Chicken Tetrazzini before...I had to find a recipe...and the recipes vary a lot...some are fancy others are more what I would call retro-style (full of cans of soup). I decided on the latter style, and made a  recipe from Southern Living.  And it was rich and creamy...The flavor actually reminded me of my mom's chicken and dumplings...Total comfort food!


And I did use a jar of sliced mushrooms...something I have always swore I would never buy, but with all the other cans in this recipe...I figured it wouldn't really matter.


And no canned chicken!  I just roasted a few chicken breasts, but you could just use a rotisserie chicken from the deli.


Chicken Tetrazzini
adapted from Southern Living April 2006

1- 16 oz package vermicelli
1/2 cup chicken broth
4 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
1- 10 3/4 oz can cream of mushroom soup
1- 10 3/4 oz can cream of chicken soup
1- 10 3/4 can cream of celery soup
1- 8 oz container sour cream
1- 6 oz jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Cook the vermicelli according to the package directions.  Drain and return to the pot.  Stir in the next nine ingredients.  Spoon the mixture in a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.  Sprinkle the top with the cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.


Tonight we drove around looking at all the Christmas lights...Seems like a lot of the houses that usually have big displays were not decorating this year...but we did find this one house...that was decked out...not many lights...but plenty of decorations!


This was all in their front yard.


These little soldiers were lining the driveway.


Charlie Brown and his tree were my favorite.


And Snoopy!


Hope this helps you get into the Christmas spirit.

28 comments:

  1. Mmm...just like mom used to make. Sometimes we just need that don't we. I will do that once in awhile too, make a dish that mom used to make. I still need to call her and get a recipe on a few that I remember eating as a child. Yummy!

    Funny how some houses decorate everything in their yard, if it stands still it's decorated. Then others, it looks like they just threw on some lights in the trees. It is still early for many light to be out, I'll check back later to see what else you've seen. :)

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  2. never eaten Chicken Tetrazzini before, but it sound like a bowl of comfort and yummy dish.. Thanks for sharing this cute house with nice Christmas decorating..

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  3. They must have a lot of kids in the house :)
    So cute

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  4. Love the Charlie Brown display. This recipe is so similar to the one I've had for years, however, I always have to have sliced green olives in mine and sprinkled with parmesan. I've got left over turkey in the freezer that is just waiting to be tetrazzini'd.

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  5. I like the sound of this so much I am considering changing my name to Retro.

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  6. I should not read the folks I follow when I am so hungry. Good news? It's almost lunch!!

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  7. I always smile when you southern bloggers crave comfort food - and wonder - what is it 50 degrees F? over there? All perspective. You know - I've never had Tetrazzini - and I must say it does look like creamy-soft comfort. Going down to eight degrees F tonight. Might have to rectify my meal planning!

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  8. I love this---it is definitely the perfect comfort food for this cold weather here. I've had a subscription to SL for many years---their recipes are awesome and this proves it. Love Snoopy's tree too!

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  9. Ooooh, those lights are awesome! My brother does a huge synchronized light show each year. We've already been out to watch it three times this year. I can't wait to take my boys to see some more lights in our city as well this year.

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  10. I can see why you'd crave this dish. It looks like one tasty winter indulgence.

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  11. This is one of my favorite comfort foods. Easy, creamy, rich casseroles are the best!

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  12. Cold weather always makes me crave comfort food too, and your easy and yummy recipe is something my husband would love. We wait until our son comes home for Christmas before we go and look at lights. But, I noticed last year many houses cut back or didn't decorate.

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  13. I always make this with our leftover turkey after Thanksgiving, but your chicken version would be a perfect everyday dinner....mmmmmmm.

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  14. Nothing like a thick creamy casserole to end the day. Yours looks do delicios and hearty...just the perfect comfort food.
    Out of all the decorations, I too like the Charlie Brown and Snoopy ones. Very original for outdoor decorations!

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  15. Love chicken tetrazzini.. my mom used to make it all the time when I was a kid. This so brings back great memories!!

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  16. Sometimes the retro (canned soup) casseroles are the best. Your tetrazzini looks creamy & comforting. Love the Charlie Brown & sad tree display too. So cute.

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  17. Hi Bo, came over from Shane's blog, I like you try to stay away from the canned soup, but this sure does bring back memories of my mothers casseroles. I know my hubby would love it if I made this. Wouldn't mind having this on a plate in front of me right now.

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  18. yep in the spirit now and pure comfort food right here

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  19. That really does look wonderful...very cheesy and comforting! I love the snoopy decorations :)

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  20. Bo, this looks amazing! I love vintage recipes! Looks like the Christmas lights trip was fun! I've been a bad bloggy friend - I'm sorry. I'm now your newest follower via Google Follower!

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  21. Bo, that is a plate of goodness and I love all the holiday photos!

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  22. I fell for turkey tetrazzini at a family reunion. It is comfort food to the nth degree. Warm, gooey, and like you said, like something mom would make.

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  23. this looks so creamy and definitely comforting! I would use the cans in a heartbeat if they had less sodium. Maybe they make them this way these days? cute photos, snoopy for Xmas is a funny one

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  24. Holy Hell! I am totally making that this weekend!

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  25. That looks so delicious and definitely comfort food. I've stopped using condensed soup because of the ridiculous sodium content but a simple roux solves that problem!

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  26. LOL...I just had to pop back over and thank you for the giggle today. Yeah, my hubby has the same feeling about Brussels sprouts :)

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  27. Your chicken looks amazing Bo! And I love that picture of the display of Charlie Brown with his tree!

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  28. Bo, I made this dish (Chicken Tetrazzini) tonight for dinner and it was DIVINE. You have yet to disappoint. :)

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