PREP TIME: 30 mins | TOTAL TIME: 55 mins | YIELD: 4 servings
This Chicken Manicotti is a mouthwatering dish with pasta stuffed with ricotta and chicken in a creamy Alfredo sauce. It is an amazing weeknight dinner that is also great for entertaining. Easily make this Chicken Manicotti any time with this simple recipe.
INGREDIENTS
MANICOTTI FILLING:
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 (8 ounces) package of manicotti
1 (10 ounces) package frozen spinach, defrosted and drained
2 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, divided
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper
Pinch red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
ALFREDO SAUCE:
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cup milk
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Kosher salt
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
How to make Chicken Manicotti
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 375 degrees.
Step 2: Cook the manicotti in a large pot of salted boiling water for about 5 minutes until al dente. Drain when done.
Step 3: For the ricotta filling, combine the chicken, spinach, ricotta, 1 c. mozzarella, ½ c. Parmesan, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. To taste, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Step 4: For the Alfredo, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and cook for a minute until aromatic. Then, stir in the flour and continue to cook for another minute. Next, add the milk, stirring continuously. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then whisk in the Parmesan. Let everything simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Then, add the lemon juice along with the parsley. To taste, season with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Add a few spoons of the Alfredo sauce to the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Smooth it out into an even layer. Into the manicotti, spoon the ricotta mixture and put them into the baking dish. On top, add the rest of the Alfredo sauce and sprinkle with the rest of the half c. mozzarella and 1/4 c. Parmesan.
Step 6: Tent the dish and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Step 7: Before serving, garnish the Chicken Manicotti with parsley. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- MANICOTTI FILLING:
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 (8 ounces) package of manicotti
- 1 (10 ounces) package frozen spinach, defrosted and drained
- 2 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, divided
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- ALFREDO SAUCE:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cup milk
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon
- Kosher salt
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 375 degrees.
Step 2: Cook the manicotti in a large pot of salted boiling water for about 5 minutes until al dente. Drain when done.
Step 3: For the ricotta filling, combine the chicken, spinach, ricotta, 1 c. mozzarella, ½ c. Parmesan, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. To taste, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Step 4: For the Alfredo, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and cook for a minute until aromatic. Then, stir in the flour and continue to cook for another minute. Next, add the milk, stirring continuously. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then whisk in the Parmesan. Let everything simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Then, add the lemon juice along with the parsley. To taste, season with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Add a few spoons of the Alfredo sauce to the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Smooth it out into an even layer. Into the manicotti, spoon the ricotta mixture and put them into the baking dish. On top, add the rest of the Alfredo sauce and sprinkle with the rest of the half c. mozzarella and 1/4 c. Parmesan.
Step 6: Tent the dish and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Step 7: Before serving, garnish the Chicken Manicotti with parsley. Enjoy!
