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There’s nothing like Air Fryer Chicken Tetrazzini fresh from the basket, bubbling at the edges with a golden, melty cheese crust that pulls with every scoop. Tender chicken, spaghetti, sweet peas, and rich, creamy mushroom sauce are layered under mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan that crisp perfectly. It’s hearty, cozy, and always has everyone coming back for seconds.
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I make this for weeknight dinners, potlucks, and family gatherings when I want something cheesy, comforting, and easy enough to feed everyone. The air fryer cooks it faster than the oven and gives a golden, cheesy crust while keeping the pasta underneath creamy, exactly what you want from a Tetrazzini. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat until bubbly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tetrazzini with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Let me walk you through each step so your tetrazzini comes out creamy, cheesy, and perfectly golden every time.
Prepare Your Baking Dish
Generously spray a rectangular baking dish that fits in your air fryer with cooking spray. Getting good coverage on all sides and corners keeps the pasta from sticking and makes cleanup so much easier. I love using this ceramic baking dish in my air fryer because it fits perfectly, gives even coverage with cooking spray, and makes cleanup a total breeze every time.
Make the Creamy Sauce
In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, melted butter, chicken broth, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until completely smooth. You want everything fully combined before adding anything else, so the sauce coats the pasta evenly. A sturdy whisk like this one makes quick work of blending the sour cream and soup without lumps.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
Combine the Filling
Stir in the shredded cooked chicken, cooked pasta (prepared according to package instructions), and frozen peas, tossing until everything is evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Make sure the spaghetti is cooked al dente and doesn’t clump together in the bowl, so each strand is evenly coated and cooks smoothly.
I always use my large silicone tongs to toss spaghetti because they grip every strand without breaking it, keeping the pasta perfectly separated and evenly coated.
Assemble and Top With Cheese
Carefully transfer the pasta mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to fill every corner. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese, along with cheddar and grated Parmesan cheese, generously on top for a rich, melty, cheesy finish.
Air Fry Covered
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in the air fryer. Cook at 350ºF (180ºC) for 15 to 20 minutes, until the filling is heated all the way through. The foil traps steam and keeps the pasta moist during that first phase of cooking. This heavy-duty aluminum foil holds up well in the air fryer without shifting or tearing.
Uncover and Brown the Cheese
Remove foil and air fry at medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly on top. Keep an eye on it during those final minutes since every air fryer runs a little differently, and the cheese can go from perfectly golden to overdone quickly.
Rest, Garnish, and Serve
Allow the tetrazzini to rest for a few minutes before serving. Resting lets the sauce settle and thicken slightly, giving the dish more flavor and preventing it from running when you scoop it. Scatter fresh chopped parsley over the top and serve warm straight from the dish. Enjoy!
This casserole dish travels well, making it a great option for potlucks and family gatherings. Keep the foil on the dish after cooking and wrap the whole thing in a thick kitchen towel or place it inside an insulated casserole carrier to hold the heat during transport.
If you’re traveling more than 30 minutes, reheat it at the destination in the air fryer at 300ºF (149°C) for 5 to 8 minutes or in an oven at 325ºF (163ºC) until warmed through. Serve within 2 hours of cooking for the best texture and food safety.
Air Fryer Chicken Tetrazzini
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked chicken chopped
- 1 pound thin spaghetti cooked al dente
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups sour cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 10 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup frozen peas
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Generously spray a rectangular baking dish that fits in your air fryer with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed soup, sour cream, melted butter, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth.2 cups sour cream, ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 10 oz can cream of mushroom soup, ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Stir in the shredded chicken, cooked spaghetti, and peas, coating everything evenly.1 pound cooked chicken, 1 pound thin spaghetti, ½ cup frozen peas
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses over the top.1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Cover the dish with foil and place it in the air fryer. Cook at 350ºF (180ºC) for 15–20 minutes, until heated through.
- Remove the foil and air fry for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Allow the tetrazzini to rest for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.Fresh parsley
Notes
- Cook the spaghetti al dente: Undercooking the pasta slightly before assembling prevents it from going mushy during the air fry time. It finishes cooking in the sauce.
- Whisk the sauce until completely smooth: Fully combining the sour cream, soup, butter, and broth before adding the pasta means every bite gets evenly coated rather than pockets of plain noodles.
- Don’t skip the foil for the first cook: Covering the dish for the first 15 to 20 minutes traps steam and heats the filling through before you go in for that golden cheese top.
- Check your dish fits before you start: Test that your baking dish fits in the air fryer basket before assembling the casserole. There needs to be enough clearance above the dish for heat to circulate.
- Watch the cheese in those last 5 minutes: Every air fryer runs slightly differently, so check the cheese at the 3-minute mark to catch it at perfectly golden rather than overdone.
- Flash freeze for clean portions: If freezing, scoop individual portions onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 1 hour before transferring to freezer containers so the portions don’t freeze together in one big block.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Let the tetrazzini cool completely before transferring leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerating for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the air fryer at 300°F (149°C) for 4 to 5 minutes or in the microwave in 60-second intervals until warmed through, adding a small splash of chicken broth if it looks dry.
For longer storage, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with foil and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. The double layer keeps it fresh and prevents freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Tetrazzini
Since it’s rich and creamy, a simple side dish, green salad with a bright vinaigrette, is one of the best things alongside it. Garlic bread or crusty dinner rolls are always a hit, too, especially for soaking up any extra sauce left in the dish.
For easy, balanced sides, try roasted broccoli, steamed green beans, or a quick Caesar salad. They pair nicely without competing with the richness of the pasta. Keep the sides light and simple, and it stays the star of the plate.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
If your air fryer is your go-to for quick, delicious comfort food, you’ll love these recipes too.
