Chicken and Spinach Manicotti or Shells

Submitted by Chicagoland Chef du Jour

"We were treated to this at a friends house for dinner. Very good! Recipe can easily made ahead and be halved. What I especially like about it it, it is NOT too cheesy! Easy to make and easy to serve. I prefer making the shells for that reason."

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 7

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, cooked according to package directions, squeezed very well to drain
• 1 1⁄4 cups half-and-half or 1 1/4 cups whipping cream, divided
• 1⁄2 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 ounces manicotti or 8 ounces jumbo pasta shells, cooked and drained, cooked al dente
• 1 (14 ounce) jar marinara sauce (*may want extra with serving)
• 1 1⁄2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In large bowl, combine chicken, ricotta cheese, spinach, 1/2 cup half and half, bread crumbs, garlic, basil, oregano, salt and black pepper; mix well.
3. Spread 1/4 C sauce on bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish; Stuff chicken & cheese mixture into manicotti; line up shells in the baking dish.
4. Combine remaning marinara sauce and remaining 3/4 cup half and half; pour over stuffed manicotti. Top with mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Reviews

[Irishcolleen]

Ok, I made this last night. It was very tasty, but I made an alfredo sauce, instead of a marinara sauce. I really should have stuck with the marinara, because it was just too rich with the alfredo. I'll try it again, exactly as written. Again, thanks for sharing. Other than my alfredo sauce accompaniment, it was delicious! My mistake.

 

[HEP MEP]

My husband and I enjoyed this, although the Kiddo wasn't crazy about it. I used shells to make mine. It was easy to put together, and had a really nice flavor. But of course - if I make it again, I'll make it when the kid's not home for dinner. Thanks!