By Becky Hardin
Published Mar 1, 2024
Chicken Stuffed Shells are the perfect weeknight dinner recipe, with just 7 simple ingredients and tons of delicious flavor! Jumbo pasta shells are stuffed with cubes of juicy chicken, ricotta and Parmesan, then baked in the oven with marinara sauce. Every bite of these stuffed shells is bursting with cheesy chicken and they’re oh-so tasty!
What’s in This Chicken Stuffed Shells Recipe?
Change up classic Italian stuffed shells for a lighter version made with chicken!
- Chicken: We use cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a lean filling.
- Shells: You’ll need a 12-ounce box of jumbo pasta shells.
- Cheese: These shells are stuffed with creamy ricotta cheese and salty Parmesan for a balanced flavor.
- Italian Seasoning : Adds that classic Italian flavor.
- Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought sauce or make your own homemade marinara sauce .
Notes from the Test Kitchen
We swap out heavy ground beef for cubed chicken breasts to create a lighter take on a classic pasta dish. Italian seasoning and zesty marinara sauce add so much flavor to this easy chicken stuffed shells recipe.
Variations on Stuffed Shells with Chicken
You can make this simple stuffed shells recipe even easier by using up leftover cooked chicken. Pan seared chicken breasts or crockpot shredded chicken both work perfectly. You could also use up leftover roasted turkey breast if you prefer.
You can also sneak in some veggies, like spinach or broccoli. I like to dice up broccoli into tiny pieces so that it’s easy to hide inside the shells–the kids don’t even notice! Just add these ingredients in when you stuff the shells with the chicken.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover chicken stuffed shells tightly covered with aluminum foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
How to Freeze
These stuffed pasta shells with chicken can be frozen both before and after baking. Either way, tightly wrap the pan in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months.
If you freeze before baking, bake directly from frozen at 350°F for about 1 hour (remove the plastic wrap first!). If you freeze after baking, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above.
Serving Suggestions
Just like all casseroles, this chicken stuffed shells recipe can be a meal all on its own. It’s a hearty, filling, and satisfying dish! That said, we still like to serve them with a few sides, like homemade garlic bread and a Caesar salad .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cubed
- ▢ 12 ounces dry jumbo pasta shells (1 box)
- ▢ 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- ▢ 5 ounces Parmesan cheese shredded and divided
- ▢ 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- ▢ 24 ounces marinara sauce (1 jar)
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside. 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- In a large pan bring 4 cups of water to a boil then add jumbo shells. Cook to al dente, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and strain. 12 ounces dry jumbo pasta shells
- In a medium bowl, mix the cooked chicken, ricotta cheese, three-quarters of the Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning together. Cover the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan with a thin layer of marinara sauce. 15 ounces ricotta cheese, 5 ounces Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- Fill each shell with the chicken mixture and place it in the baking dish. Once all shells are filled pour the remaining sauce evenly over the shells then sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over top. 24 ounces marinara sauce
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Pan
Becky’s Tips
- Drain the shells thoroughly on a paper towel-lined baking sheet (without letting them touch!) to prevent them from sticking together and tearing.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Chicken Stuffed Shells Step by Step
Cook the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into cubes of roughly the same size) and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Boil the Shells: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil, then add 12 ounces (1 box) of jumbo pasta shells. Cook al dente –meaning just until they are softened, but still have a bite–about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.
Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, mix the cooked chicken, 15 ounces of ricotta cheese, three-quarters of the 5 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese (this doesn’t have to be precise), and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning together. Cover the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan with a thin layer of marinara sauce .
Assemble and Bake: Stuff each pasta shell with the chicken mixture and place it in the baking dish. Once all shells are filled, evenly pour the remaining marinara sauce over the shells, and then sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve hot!
This easy and cheesy chicken stuffed shells recipe is sure to please everyone at the table. Enjoy!
Pasta shells are traditionally known as “ Conchiglie ,” but most brands label them as jumbo shells.
Before assembling and baking the stuffed pasta shells, boil the pasta shells to al dente. Cook them according to the package instructions – about 10 minutes. If you want to prepare the pasta shells ahead of time, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days. When ready to bake the shells, simply stuff them, bake, and serve.
These shells can turn watery due to excess moisture on the pasta or in the filling. This is why we drain the shells thoroughly before stuffing them!
Make sure to use a large enough pot when boiling the shells so that they have room to move around, and don’t let them touch as they cool and drain!
If your shells are hard, chances are you did not cook them long enough. You want to make sure the shells are cooked al dente (just until softened) but not undercooked. You may wish to add an extra shell to the pot to test for doneness.
More Chicken Pasta Recipes To Try
- Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
- Chicken Mac and Cheese Soup
- Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups
- Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet
- Chicken Alfredo
- White Chicken Lasagna Soup
- One Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Baked Chicken Marinara
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Creamy Chicken Spaghetti
Chicken Stuffed Shells Recipe
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Pan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 12 ounces dry jumbo pasta shells (1 box)
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 5 ounces Parmesan cheese shredded and divided
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (1 jar)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside. 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- In a large pan bring 4 cups of water to a boil then add jumbo shells. Cook to al dente, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and strain. 12 ounces dry jumbo pasta shells
- In a medium bowl, mix the cooked chicken, ricotta cheese, three-quarters of the Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning together. Cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan with a thin layer of marinara sauce. 15 ounces ricotta cheese, 5 ounces Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- Fill each shell with the chicken mixture and place it in the baking dish. Once all shells are filled pour the remaining sauce evenly over the shells then sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over top. 24 ounces marinara sauce
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.
Video
Notes
- Drain the shells thoroughly on a paper towel-lined baking sheet (without letting them touch!) to prevent them from sticking together and tearing.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
