Recipes/Cooking/Baking

recipe is online at:
http://www.onemathematicalcat.org/Recipes/chickenTetrazzini.htm

CHICKEN TETRAZZINI

Want to see it as a meal? Burns Family Meals
(Click on the photo for a bigger version.)

This is a family favorite for decades! It was a common birthday dinner request for Julia (Carol's daughter). It's a bit of work and quite a few dishes to clean, so I tend to make it only on special occasions. Double the recipe and freeze one—thaw in refrigerator, add extra broth before baking, and bake longer (until bubbly).

INGREDIENTS:

7 ounces angel hair or thin spaghetti, broken into small pieces
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup chicken broth (can use stock from cooking chicken)
1 cup whipping cream
2 Tb sherry (optional)
2-3 chicken breasts
1 can (4 ounces) mushrooms, drained (or fresh: slice, fry in butter)
grated Parmesan cheese
grated mozzarella

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cook chicken; cut into small pieces:
Cook chicken breasts in instant pot with 1-2 cups water: poultry setting (or 15 mins manual).
Quick or natural release; cool.
Save the broth for use in the sauce; add some ‘Better Than Bouillon’ chicken base to enhance flavor.
After cooling, cut chicken into small pieces.
Cook spaghetti:
Cook spaghetti as directed on package; drain.
Make the sauce:
Heat butter in 3-quart saucepan until melted.
Whisk in flour, salt, pepper.
Cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly; remove from heat.
Add broth and cream.
Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
Boil and stir 1 minute.
Put casserole together:
Stir in spaghetti, sherry (optional), chicken, mushrooms.
Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole.
Sprinkle with both Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
Bake:
Cook uncovered in 350° oven until top is golden brown and casserole is bubbly (about 30 minutes).

Do-ahead tip:
Cover and refrigerate no longer than 24 hours.
Pour extra broth on top before baking (spaghetti tends to dry out).
Cook uncovered in 350° oven about 45–50 minutes (until bubbly).