Creamy Chicken Manicotti
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Chicken Manicotti recipe, a luscious blend of tender pasta shells, creamy cheeses, and savory chicken baked to perfection in a velvety marinara sauce. With a rich filling of ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, and shredded chicken seasoned with garlic, basil, and parsley, this dish is as flavorful as it is satisfying. The addition of heavy cream to the marinara sauce creates a silky smooth finish, while a golden layer of bubbly mozzarella cheese tops it all off. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this hearty baked pasta dish is easy to prepare and will leave your guests craving more. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley, and watch it become an instant classic at your table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 pieces manicotti pasta shells
- 2 cups chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 0.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
Cook the manicotti shells in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, dried basil, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well-combined to create the filling.
Carefully fill each manicotti shell with the chicken and cheese mixture. Use a spoon or a piping bag for easier filling.
In a separate bowl, mix the marinara sauce with heavy cream until smooth. Spread 1 cup of the sauce mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Place the filled manicotti shells in a single layer in the baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells, ensuring they are fully covered.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the dish.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6932 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 234.5 g | 301% | |
| Saturated Fat | 114.7 g | 574% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1218 mg | 406% | |
| Sodium | 6718 mg | 292% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 801.0 g | 291% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 42.9 g | 153% | |
| Total Sugars | 43.4 g | ||
| Protein | 395.3 g | 791% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.8 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 3598 mg | 277% | |
| Iron | 39.6 mg | 220% | |
| Potassium | 2909 mg | 62% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
