• ~TIPS~
  • Feel free to add in extras! Diced red peppers anyone?
  • Using a mixture of mozz. and cheddar cheese tastes great as well!
  • The dish freezes amazingly well!

I’ve been in such a cooking mood lately. I think the cooking drought has passed, yeah I know I’ve been saying that in every post but seriously this time. Last night I made no-bake chocolate cookies with Isaac and today I made these super delishy & cheesy chicken and spinach stuffed shells for lunch.


chicken and spinach stuffed pasta shells recipe

These stuffed shells are loaded with cheesy chicken spinach goodness!

It was a welcomed change from my usual italian stuffed shells and my mexican stuffed shells. I’ll be adding these spinach and chicken stuffed shells to the rotation. Paired with a green salad and breadsticks it made me one happy chick.


chicken and spinach stuffed pasta shells recipe

Stuffed pasta shells go great with breadsticks and a green salad!

Chicken and spinach are a classic combo and combined with 4 yummy cheeses (ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella and parmesan) and herbs makes them muey bueno!! You may have some of the chicken mixture left over (depending on how many of your shells survive the boil) You can freeze any leftover mixture if you’d like.


chicken and spinach stuffed pasta shells recipe



Watch me make these cheesy chicken and spinach stuffed shells from start to finish!

 

5.0 from 3 reviews

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Chicken Spinach Stuffed Shells- 4 Cheese!
Author: 
Serves: varies
 

Ingredients
  • 2 large bone-in chicken breasts
  • 15 oz box uncooked jumbo pasta shells
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, diced
  • ½ small white onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
  • ½ tablespoon italian seasoning
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
  • salt & pepper
  • 26 oz jar spaghetti sauce (I use Tomato Basil)

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 450.
  2. Sprinkle chicken breast generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Roast for 30-35 minutes or until done.
  4. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a few pinches of salt and the pasta shells.
  5. Boil just until ABOUT al dente (about 12 minutes)
  6. When pasta is done, drain and rinse with cool water.
  7. Place the pasta shells on a tray & pick out the good ones. Not all the shells will survive the boiling process intact. Set aside.
  8. When chicken is done let cool and dice 2 cups worth of chicken. Set aside.
  9. In a large bowl stir together diced chicken, diced spinach, diced onion and minced garlic.
  10. In a separate bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, & mayo.
  11. Add parsley and italian seasoning.
  12. Stir in the egg.
  13. Fold in 1 cup mozzerella cheese.
  14. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  15. Add cheese mixture to chicken mixture, stirring until well combined.
  16. Spread half of the spaghetti sauce onto the bottom of a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
  17. Stuff the shells with the chicken mixture and place into the dish.
  18. Pour remaining sauce over center of shells.
  19. Cover and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.
  20. Remove from oven, top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  21. Bake uncovered for another 7-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  22. Let cool slightly.
  23. Serve with salad and breadsticks!