“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does” ~ William James
We passed the Canine Good Citizen Test! Let’s go home and put bacon on our cookies. Ok? Ok! ~ Love Harry and Sally | February 13, 2017
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You have two hours until your husband walks through the door, after a few days away
Two hours to try on and reject all of your bathing suits (the pool at the gym will have to wait)
Two hours to reach laundry zero (an ongoing quest)
Two hours to call the repairman because your washer sounds like a runaway freight train
Instead, you move the food processor to the right side of the kitchen counter and plug it in.
Two hours to go for a walk (How can it be!? Sixty degrees + Iowa + February?)
Two hours to call your mother, will you fact-check an old memory?
Two hours to wonder where Harry + Sally hid all of your clean socks and underwear
Two hours to call your oldest grandson, a heart-melting series of texts with “I love yous” spelled funny ways
You brown the butter and sau·té the mushrooms until they smell just right
Two hours to write down great advice offered by a neighbor
Two hours to flag recipes from the cookbooks you borrowed from the library
Two hours to schedule the weekend get-away you both so desperately need
Two hours to send a thank-you card to the person who's trained both you and your dogs
You gather spaghetti and truffle oil (you knew it would come in handy someday)
Two hours to pick the next book you'd like to read
Two hours to decide where to celebrate a birthday (day spa required)
Two hours to go to the co-op and stock up on your latest obsessions, soup and grapefruit (not necessarily eaten together)
You whisk the roux, worrying as you always do, that it's going to burn
Two hours to find the pancake recipe you tweaked over the past few months and then lost, somewhere in the stack of catalogs teetering precariously on the coffee table.
Two hours to wonder how buying a few pieces of furniture last summer could have landed you on so many catalog lists
Two hours to tend to the sourdough starter on the kitchen counter (are you really committed to another entity that needs to be fed and cared for?)
You toss and swirl everything together with your messy, sauce-covered hands
Two hours to meditate
Two hours to get ready for this weekend's visit to see your second-oldest grandson
Two hours to clean up a messy kitchen before you need to start cooking the next meal
You fill the baking dishes, realizing you'll be feeding the neighbors tonight as well
Two hours to snuggle with a kitty on the sofa
Two hours to go to yoga and find some zen
Two hours to stop at the Asian grocery to see if they have the last few ingredients for the soup you've been wanting to make. Wondering where your tipping point is between paying more on Amazon or searching store to store
You sprinkle with parmesan-specked bread crumbs, always debating whether you've put on too much.
Two hours to take a shower and put on something other than your workout clothes
Two hours to crawl into bed and take a nap
The puppies come bounding in the front door, your husband a close second. Everybody ready for a hug and a kiss and some extra snuggles. Ready for something hot and bubbly for dinner. Ready to see you
Two hours to pour a glass of vino, turn on some tunes and enjoy the moment
Two hours to remember who you are, and why you're so very happy to be here
Chicken Tetrazzini, a retro casserole that's hearty, humble, and delicious; the stuff of church potlucks and weeknight casseroles are made of. Named after an Italian opera star, it's been a favorite since its invention either in New York or San Francisco in the early 1900s.
Cooks like to make it because it’s inexpensive and easy to throw together. Kids love it to eat it because it marries two of the world’s most kid-friendly ingredients: spaghetti and chicken
This version adapted from Gourmet gives the dish a modern spin with truffle butter (or oil), sherry, and greek yogurt. The result? A delightful meal with a gourmet flare
Variety of mushrooms, store-bought chicken stock, a small pinch of nutmeg at the end, toss the pasta in truffle oil after cooking while finishing the sauce
A few notes about the recipe
The original calls for making your own chicken stock (and I've included it here). Certainly homemade would be utopia, but for a busier weeknight, store-bought is still just as great.
Can't find truffle butter? Most stores sell truffle oil and it tastes equally as good
Enjoy!
xoxo
~ Adapted from Gourmet | November 2003
Chicken Tetrazzini
Ingredients
- Homemade Chicken Stock optional
- ** Making homemade chicken stock is optional .. see recipe notes above. If you decide not to, you'll need 2 cups of store-bought
- 1 to 1 ½ pound chicken bones (from 2 cooked chickens, broken into 2- to 3-inch pieces)
- 4 cups chicken broth, low-sodium if you have it
- 1 carrot, thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
- 2 celery ribs cut into 1" pieces
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- 5 whole black peppercorns
- 1 Turkish or ½ California bay leaf
- 2 whole cloves
- Tetrazzini
- 2 Tbsp olive, or coconut oil
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (or boneless chicken thighs)
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- ¾ pound mushrooms, thinly sliced (if you are able, a variety of mushrooms makes it a little more interesting)
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- ⅓ cup dry white wine
- fine grain sea salt + freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp flour (any kind is good)
- 2 cups chicken stock homemade or store-bought
- 1 ¼ cup Greek yogurt (the original called for heavy cream)
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 2 Tbsp truffle butter or a few drops of truffle oil, optional
- 8-10 oz linguini
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley leaves, chopped
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- ¼ cup Italian style bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare a shallow baking dish (~ 3 quarts in size, or an equivalent)
- Homemade Chicken Stock (optional)
- Bring chicken bones, broth, carrot, onion, celery, garlic, peppercorns, bay leaf, and cloves to a boil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan
- Simmer, partially covered, skimming froth ~ 30 minutes
- Pour stock through a large sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, and return to saucepan.
- Measure stock: If more than 2 cups, boil until reduced.
- Keep warm, covered
- Chicken
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil
- Sprinkle the chicken with a pinch of sea salt and a grind of black pepper
- Add the chicken and cook until pale golden and just cooked through (~ 4 minutes per side). Transfer the chicken to a plate to cool slightly.
- Coarsely shred the chicken into bite-size pieces and into a large bowl
- Mushrooms and Onions
- In a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat, warm 3 Tbsp butter
- Add the mushrooms, along with a pinch of sea salt and a grind of black pepper
- Sauté until the liquid given off by the mushrooms has evaporated and they've begun to turn golden ( ~ 8 - 10 minutes)
- Add the onion, garlic, and thyme, and saute until the onion is translucent (~ 5 - 8 minutes)
- Add the wine and simmer until it has evaporated (~ 3 - 5 minutes)
- Transfer the mushroom/onion mix to the bowl with the chicken
- Sauce
- To the same pan over medium-low heat, melt the additional 3 Tbsp butter
- Add the flour and whisk for 2-3 minutes
- Whisk in stock, Greek yogurt, white wine, another pinch of sea salt and a grind of black pepper. Bring to a slow boil
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, whisking often, until the sauce has thickened slightly (~ about 10 minutes)
- Stir in truffle butter or oil, if using
- Linguini
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the linguine and cook according to the package directions, until it's al dente
- Drain well
- Tetrazzini
- Add the linguine, sauce, peas, and parsley to the chicken mix. Toss until the sauce coats the pasta and the mixture is well blended
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the cheese and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle over the pasta.
- Bake until sauce is bubbly and the top is lightly browned about 30 minutes
- Serve immediately
98 Comments
I spend two hours every week cleaning our condo we rent out for the weekend. Two hours washing all the linen after the renters leave! I love this recipe, looks amazing. I can’t wait to try it!
Yes! I need to try this option because it looks amazing yummy! I need to find time 😉 Thanks for this inspiration!
Harry and Sally have grown so big from when they were just pups 🙂 Can’t wait to try this – love mushrooms!
I feel that way when I have some free time but a million things to do … a million blog things, cleaning, laundry, cooking … so much. This recipe looks amazing, by the way!
That is a lot to do in two hours! Do you have any tips for successful meditation? I love the look of this recipe as usual yum x
Wow…it makes you realize how much one can accomplish in a short amount of time if really determined.
You are a magnificent cook and food photographer! Do you have a background in cooking/photography? Sure seems like it.
Wow this is amazing and so much you can get done in a short space of time as long as you prioritise! Plus a scrumptious recipe
This looks so good im definately going to give it a go. Yes I go in panic mode often. But we can always get things done when we need to 🙂
Love tetrazzini! This sounds good! I pinned for later!
oh how lovely this looks and i want some myself x
you can never go wrong with pasta dishes! It’s my ultimate favorite but I cannot prepare one for myself haha.. I just know how to eat them (thanks to my mom and my sis who used to cook pasta dishes for me lols).
This one looks really delicious and healthy as well!
I should give it a shot!
Again, your food looks so delicious. But I have to say…you have reached laundry zero?! How is that possible…how did you do it? Share your secrets!
Wow, you get more done in two hours than I do in a day! This chicken tetrazzini looks absolutely divine. I have always loved this dish but struggle to find a good recipe to make it at home. I can’t wait to try this one!
This sounds incredible! And your photography is so, so good!
Your recipe is a bit different than I’ve made before but sounds and looks delicious. I will have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing in such a unique story!
This looks amazing! I want to make this tonight 😀 You’re food photography is so epic I feel like I can already taste it and now I’m hungry again lol.
looks amazing may have to give it a go myself 🙂 xo
oh wow this looks so amazing I’m always looking for new pasta dishes, and your photography is incredible! xx
Oh my goodnes, this looks so delicious and agh, you’ve made me so hungry now! Your photography is stunning, I could just dive in there and tuck in, thank you for sharing! x
I really need two hours to relax… lately I’ve been living in complete craziness! Your meal looks delicious! I love pasta and chicken, although I am not a kid anymore – in my dreams maybe. I will definitely try this!
Yip, time and the passing of it is a constant fight!!! Trying to slow down but so much needs done in a day! Great recipe!
Oh my goodness this looks so delicious! Yum!
This looks delicious! I love noodle dishes!
This sure looks amazing! I love that it’s easy to make especially on busy nights. If it takes two hours to do other things then making this for two hours sounds just as lovely and you get to enjoy good food in the end, no better deal than that!
That pasta looks absolutely incredible and definitely sounds like something I’d cook at home. Cant say id make my own stock though- OXO cubes all the way!!
Wow this looks incredible! Can’t wait to try it! I have learned that no matter what I have not yet done before my husband gets home, as long as there is a home cooked meal on the table he is happy!
This looks incredible! I’ve never had truffle butter but I hear it’s incredible, so I’d like to give it a try.
This looks so good! I just love your blog. I get so many ideas when I come here. There’s a lot of great dinner options and this will def. be one that I make soon.
This looks so good but looks like it might take some time to make up x
Wow that is a lot to get done in 2 hours! But I love the look of this recipe x
What a great recipe the pictures of the food looks amazing. This combines a few of my husbands favourite things so I really should try and make it for him. I bet he would love it.
Oh man! This looks awesome! I must say, I’ve never had a tetrazzinni before but man, it looks so delicious and creamy. Cream and pasta is really all I need in life so I’m thinking that I gotta make this dish!
Yummy! this looks so delicious! I’ve never attempted to make tetrazzini beore but I think I am going to now!
What a great post! The recipe also looks so delicious. Hmm, I wonder what I can get done in the next two hours? I’m opting for a nap myself! x
What a delicious dish! I would love to try it! 🙂
WOW does this look good!! I have been looking for a good tetrazzini recipe 🙂
This is absolutely looks delicious and Promising! I should give it to myself. Glad that you share this
This looks lovely, I’ve never heard of the dish before xo
Never heard of this pasta dish before but it certainly looks tasty.
The Chicken Tetrazzini looks amazing! I’ve heard of it my whole life, but never got around to trying it. This post may just have changed that!
I love spaghetti and chicken and this Chicken Tetrazzini would go down a storm in this household 🙂
This is my kind of absolute bowl of comfort heaven x
That looks like my kind of pasta dish! I love the pop of colour that comes from the peas too.
This looks SO delicious – I wish I hadn’t read this so close to dinner time, now I’m starving! x
This dish looks absolutely bloody yummy! I will be getting hubby to make this on Sunday:)
Looks like a great recipe! I’m going to have to try it out.
Wow this looks like a bowl f comfort food straight from above! My kind of meal – adding it to my recipes, thx!
I love the look and sound of this, definitely something I would be up for trying!
You achieved more in two hours than I do in a day. This dish looks yummy!
This post just shows you can make every minute count. So many of us become overwhelmed by tasks and don’t get everything done in our to-do list when it can all be easily done with the right attitude. I think you’ve done more than i sometimes do over a day or two! Tad embarrassed now lol the recipe looks yum too – better give it a go! x
such an easy to do receipe, perfect for busy nights as well! that quote by william james is very inspiring!
This looks delicous, a recipe I definitely need to try and easy to do too.
Aw yummy carbs. Thanks for sharing this tempting recipe 🙂
This looks like just the sort of meal I have been trying to create but didnt know where to start! Thank you for the recipe!
It looks very tasty and is something I really need to try x
This looks simple, and tasty. One for the busy work day when you want a comforting dish
This looks absolutely divine and it is something I am sure my husband would happily eat!
Mmm this looks so delicious, I’ll have to give it a try.
I wish I had two hours spare! However this dish looks delicious. I have never tried Tetrazzini before so I have printed it off to give it a go this weekend!
Your dish looks absolutely delicious, and I’ll probably have a go at it myself soon!
This looks like such a great tasty meal!
That meal is my kind of my meal! Looks so tasty and delicious.
This recipe looks amazing. I will have to have a go at making this one day
It looks delicious, would just have to remove the mushrooms – my food hell.
Ooh yummy! I’d love 2 hours to myself sometime! haha
ive not heard of tetrazzini before but this looks absolutely amazing. I’m drooling right now
This looks really nice and I think it is something my kids would eat too
Awesome recipe and I know my boys would love it!!
This looks delicious! Definitely going to have to try this one…
I love the look of the recipe here and I loved the post – really makes you think what you can do with 2 hours x
Oh my this looks so delicious. The pasta looks perfectly coated and your photography is gorgeous.
This sounds incredible – I love the various ways in which two hours can be filled. I really must remember to buy some truffle oil!
This is my kind of food, it sounds like it would taste absolutely gorgeous! xx
Think I’d opt for 2 hours with the cat on the sofa! Lovely dish too, looks like something I’d like to come home to 🙂
This is the first time that I heard about this recipe and sounds good to me, I would give it a try
This looks super yummy and great dish for the family or if you have friends coming round
Wow, I’m mostly Italian, but never heard of tetrazzini. At first glance, it looks Asian.
I’ve never heard of truffle butter before. Going to check it out. Appreciated your very thorough recipe and will keep it in mind for a future meal.
Chicken Tetrazzini is a favorite dish I enjoy making. One it is so delicious and if you have a ton of stuff going on it is a fast and simple meal to throw together. Yet still looks like you slaved over the dish.
That sounds so tasty! This is definitely a meal that my entire family would enjoy!
I’m glad I’m not the only one rushing to get dinner on the table when I have a million things going on and my husband is on his way! The dish sounds good and it looks good on the table too.
I love chicken Tetrazzini! It’s probably one of my favorite dinners. I love that you can make it ahead of time and that it is so easy to make. Your dogs are gorgeous I’m hoping my dog will pass that test soon.
I’m totally trying this recipe tonight! Oh it looks absolutely delicious!
I takes me two hours to pick up all the things my kids neglected to put away properly. I haven’t made chicken tetrazzini since before I had kids, I bet they would love it.
This sounds like such a delicious dish, I do love a good pasta and chicken mix.
Aww, yours dogs are very gorgeous! One thing I love bout my dog is that he doesn’t really shed – I bet you have to pick up a lot of fur!
It is my goal to make home made chicken stock at least once. ONCE! But alas, life is so darn busy. This recipe looks fantastic and my son is a huge fan of anything that has a pasta and a chicken combo. Definite winner!
Laundry done? Ahhh, jealous! The recipe is look delicious. I think it will be a weekend meal!
This version of chicken tettrazini sounds delicious. The homemade chicken stock probably adds a lot of taste to it.
Great chicken recipe. This looks so delicious I am sharing it with my sister. She’s going to love making this for her growing son. He can eat as much the amount for three people.
What a delcious treat. I think this chicken tetrazzini will go very well with a bottle wine. Fantastic recipe.
Oh yes, another easy to make recipe for busy weekdays. My hubby and kids would go nuts over this and I am sure they will ask for a repeat. This Chicken Tetrazzini goes into our Pasta Fridays list.
I am new to cooking and I would love to experiment more to enhance my cooking journey. Thanks I head over your blog and got a new recipe to try on. Hopefully I can pull this off! Thanks again!
Oh great to find something new to cook. Thanks for sharing your recipe! I hope I can successfully make this over the weekends.
Never had tetrazzini. I love pasta so thanks for a new recipe idea!
Two hours seems like a lot of things and at the beginning I always think it will last … 2 hours but in actual fact it flies by in minutes! This recipe is a great twist – such pasta dinners are always a keeper. A great way to spend the two hours!
If you managed to do all that in just two hours than you are my hero. Every time I have to do something and I know that I have limited time I end up doing nothing 🙂
Woooow…..Homemade!!! And so easy to do…
I think I will look for these and try your recipe this weekend. Thank you for sharing!
Dang Thai from Embeya!