Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
- 1 packageuncooked jumbo pasta shells
- 2 tbspolive oil
- filling
- 1 lbboneless skinless chicken breasts
cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 tspitalian seasoning
- 1 tspsalt
divided
- ½ tsppepper
divided
- 1 tbspolive oil
- 2 tbspbutter
- ⅓ cseasoned bread crumbs
- 3 cpart-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 cshredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- ½ cgrated parmesan cheese
- ½ c2% milk
- ¼ cchopped fresh italian parsley
- assembly
- 4 cmeatless pasta sauce
- ¼ cgrated parmesan cheese
- 8 ozfresh mozzarella cheese
thinly sliced and halved
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°. Cook shells according to package directions for al dente; drain. Toss with oil; spread in an even layer on a baking sheet.
- 2
For filling, toss chicken with Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute chicken just until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; stir in butter until melted. Stir in bread crumbs; cook until crumbs are slightly toasted, 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly.
- 3
In a large bowl, mix cheeses, milk, parsley and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Fold in chicken mixture.
- 4
Spread 2 cups pasta sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Fill each shell with 2-1/2 tablespoons cheese mixture; place over sauce. Top with remaining 2 cups sauce and remaining cheeses (dish will be full).
- 5
Cover with greased foil; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until heated through, 10-15 minutes.
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
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About this Recipe
Craving the comforting flavors of chicken Parmesan but want something a bit more exciting than the usual? This Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells recipe offers the best of both worlds, delivering a satisfying, crowd-pleasing dinner without a huge time commitment.
Why This Recipe Works
This dish takes everything you love about classic chicken Parmesan—savory chicken, rich tomato sauce, and a blanket of melted cheese—and nestles it into tender jumbo pasta shells. The ingenious combination means you get a hearty serving of chicken in every bite, all held together by a creamy, cheesy filling of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. It’s a brilliant way to enjoy familiar flavors in a fresh, exciting format.
What to Expect
Prepare for a truly comforting and substantial meal. You'll experience perfectly cooked pasta shells brimming with a flavorful mixture of seasoned chicken pieces and a creamy blend of part-skim ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, brightened by fresh Italian parsley. Each shell is nestled in a robust meatless pasta sauce and topped with even more fresh mozzarella, melting into gooey perfection. The dish is incredibly satisfying, offering a delightful interplay of soft pasta, tender chicken, and stringy, melted cheese in every Forkful. This recipe yields a generous 12 servings, making it perfect for family dinners or entertaining.
Customization & Variations
Feel free to customize this dish to suit your preferences. For a different protein, you could swap the boneless, skinless chicken breasts for ground turkey or even finely diced portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian option. If you don't have fresh Italian parsley, dried parsley can be used in a pinch, though fresh offers a brighter flavor. While fresh mozzarella on top is wonderful, feel free to use shredded mozzarella for convenience if that's what you have on hand.
This hearty meal is ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner, a special Sunday supper, or feeding a crowd. Serve it alongside a simple green salad and some crusty garlic bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce.