Description
Chicken stuffed shells combine tender pasta, a creamy cheese and chicken filling, and a rich sauce, all baked to golden perfection. This dish is a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s great for family dinners or gatherings. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly for easy meal prep!
Ingredients
- 20–25 jumbo pasta shells
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or homemade)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 cups marinara or Alfredo sauce (or a mix)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
If not using rotisserie chicken, cook and shred 2 cups of chicken:
- Boiling Method: Boil chicken breasts for 15-20 minutes, cool, then shred.
- Baking Method: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes, cool, then shred.
Step 2: Make the Filling
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Stir in the beaten egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Fold in the shredded chicken (and any optional veggies).
Step 3: Cook the Pasta Shells
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta shells 2 minutes less than the package instructions (they will cook further in the oven).
- Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Fill each shell with 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture and place in the dish.
- Pour the remaining 1 cup of sauce over the shells.
- Sprinkle with extra mozzarella cheese.
Step 5: Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly.
- Remove foil and bake for another 5 minutes to brown the cheese.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Refrigeration
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezing
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating
- Oven: 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes (or 40-50 minutes if frozen).
- Microwave: Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals until warm.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Chicken stuffed shells, baked pasta, cheesy stuffed shells, easy family dinner, Italian comfort food, freezer-friendly meals, chicken pasta bake, creamy stuffed shells, pasta casserole