Healthy Stuffed Shells with Chicken: Easy Dinner

For an interesting Italian cuisine experience, order Healthy Stuffed Shells with Chicken. It combines the warmth of chicken filled shells. My quest is over. With all the food my family loves, all of us can eat Healthy Stuffed Shells with Chicken. It combines the comforts of classic, delicious, stuffed pasta shells and elevates it with some chicken with some vegetables creating an appetizing dinner that is quite filling yet healthy. Its the ultimate quick fix for hectic weekdays where you wish to offer something sumptuous and rich without compromising on your health. A perfect dish for everyone and for every occasion, impress your friends and family with a unique, mouthwatering twist on Italian dishes and prepare it with ease!

 This recipe is quite loaded with good stuff and easy to prepare. It’s great for including in your dinner plans.

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Delicious and Nutritious Stuffed Shells

 Preparing a nutritious meal can be enjoyable. Our Healthy Stuffed Shells with Chicken recipe is a nice combination of nutritious components. Our goal is to mix protein dense chicken with soft ricotta cheese and our fresh available spinach.

 Wholesome Ingredients for a Satisfying Meal

The healthy stuffed shells ingredients in this recipe are selected due to their health benefits. Ground chicken meat, ricotta cheese, and spinach along with the herbs fill the pasta shells. Each mouthful is delightful and great because of this combination of delicious stuffed pasta.

 Made up of Lean Chicken Which Has High Protein Content

Lean ground chicken meat is the core ingredient of our chicken stuffed shells recipe. It lends flavor to the dish and makes it rich in proteins as well. There is a healthy and complete meal in the combination of chicken, ricotta cheese, and spinach.

“Why should eating healthy be boring or difficult? This recipe demonstrates eating a fantastic and healthy meal can indeed be done in the comfort of your own house.”

Healthy Stuffed Shells with Chicken: A Flavorful Twist

Healthy chicken stuffed shells revise the familiar Italian dish into something delectable yet healthy. We believe we can make this meal hearty without compromising one’s health by incorporating lean chicken which fills the meal up.

 Chicken enhances the quantity of protein and is also oh-so-good to add into the cream filling. Combined with the tender pasta shells and a hint of fresh spinach, this dish delights every sense. The recipe Suits those looking for a wholesome Italian treat for their dinner.

 The trick lies in getting the blend of the right ingredients to prepare our chicken stuffed pasta shells. The shredded chicken includes rotisserie chicken, ricotta cheese, and herbs thickened with a herb paste. That is all garnished on an al dente pasta shell. This provides a delightful combination which would be pleasing to your tasting buds.

 “”I have never tasted better filled shells than these and those, without a doubt! There’s the chicken that helps with the flavor, the shells are extremely rich & creamy. It’s a definite crowd-pleaser!”.

 Thinking of a delicious dish or something fancy? Our chicken stuffed shells are a winner. When paired with a crisp salad & garlic bread, it is an incredibly healthy Italian meal that everyone will love.

Healthy Stuffed Shells with Chicken-Step-by-Step to Prepare

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or finely chopped
• 1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
• 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional: low-fat)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg (helps bind the filling)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Sauce:

• 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Shells:

• 18-20 large pasta shells, cooked al dente (follow package instructions)
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Preparation Method:

Step 1: Prepare the Shells

1. According to the instructions on the package, completely boil the pasta shells in a pot of boiling water until it is al dente, and be careful not to overdo it, as the shells will continue cooking in the oven later. Do not over boil as the shells are going to be cooked in the oven afterwards.
2. After the shells are boiled, drain them and allow them to cool down a bit.

Step 2: Make the Filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. The egg will help hold the filling together during baking.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce

1. Take some crushed tomatoes, add a tablespoon of tomato sauce, ‘a’ tablespoon of basil, ‘a’ tablespoon of oregano, ‘a’ tablespoon of red pepper flakes, salt, and two pinches of pepper in a medium sized sauce pan.
2. Over medium heat, bring the sauce to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes. Additionally, adjust the spice and taste the sauce. After turning off the stove, let it to cool.

Step 4: Assemble the Stuffed Shells

1. The first thing you should do is turn on your oven and preheat it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
2. Now take a few tablespoons of sauce and smear it over the base of the pan. Just a thin layer should be enough for the sauce not to stick.
3. Fill each shell with a large amount of filling. They should be filled to the brim but not overflow.
4. Use the baker’s dish and drop the stuffed shells in it with the open side facing upwards.
5. Use the rest of the remaining tomato sauce and pour it over the shells until thoroughly covered.

Step 5: Bake

1. Take the baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, then place in oven for twenty-five minutes.
2. After removing the foil, continue cooking for a further ten minutes or more until the sauce is bubbling and the shells are hot.
3. If you wish to have a brown finish, you can do it by switching on the broiler and cooking for about 2-3 minutes (This step is optional).

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

1. Once done, take off the oven and for a few minutes do not touch it or move the food.
2. Add some fresh basil or even parsley leaves and serve while it is still hot.

Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Tips

This Healthy Stuffed Shells with Chicken is one of those easy recipes that can take on many roles. It’s ideal for meal preparation or as an instant dinner. Try these steps to relish its taste without too much sweat.

The stuffed shells can be assembled in advance. Simply wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. This allows one to be able to have a homemade home-cooked meal on a hectic evening. They are ready when you are.

Alternatively, you can bake the chicken stuffed shells and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. In this manner, there is always a delicious meal prepared at home. For a quick meal, simply microwave or bake the shells in the oven.

Unbelievably, these make-ahead and meal prep suggestions make it possible to enjoy this healthy stuffed shells recipe. Since it is suitable for the whole family, it can ensure that the planning of meals is done once. For everyone, this meal is an easy pleasure and one that saves a lot of time.

FAQs-Health Healthy Stuffed Shells with Chicken

What goes well with stuffed shells?

You can turn stuffed shells into the center cuisine or even the main course, which gives more motivation to serve something which is light on the sides; perhaps a small caesar salad or some roasted veggies. These stuffed shells can also be enjoyed with some butter Italian bread or some yummy garlic knots.

What are stuffed shells made of?

In a very large bowl, combine cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, half a cup of parmesan cheese, eggs and garlic powder. Take the dried oregano and parsley and rub it between your palms to crush, and add to the cheese mixture. Then, fill the shells with the pasta cheese mixture.

What are the ingredients in shells?

Shells are made from calcium carbonate which is found in mineral form as calcite or aragonite. To create shells, animals had to “build” their shells using the necessary ingredients that included dissolved calcium and bicarbonate which were extracted from their surroundings.

How does the chicken in this recipe contribute to the overall nutrition?

The lean ground chicken adds a lot of protein. This makes the dish satisfying and balanced. It also adds flavor and nutrition, making the stuffed shells healthier.

What makes this stuffed shells recipe “healthy?

This recipe is healthy because it uses lean ground chicken, fresh spinach, and herbs. It’s a better choice than traditional ground beef or sausage. This makes it a balanced and wholesome option for dinner.

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed our Healthy Stuffed Shells with Chicken recipe that has twice the flavor. It uses chicken and fresh in-house ingredients. Not to forget and an absolute everyone’s meal that’s high in protein.

The preparation for the dish fits into the time frame and is pretty much flexible. You can also make it in advance and it would not take much of your time, perfect for a healthy yet flavorsome quick dinner.

The dish of healthy stuffed shells with chicken changes the taste of Italian cuisine that people love. A recipe that guarantees it will not only taste great but also be healthy. The easy chicken stuffed shells recipe takes no time at all so you never have to think twice about making an Italian dinner that’s healthy.

In search of a recipe for a busy day and want to make an impression on the guests? This one is definitely a family winner.

So why wait to take our Healthy Stuffed Shells with Chicken? It’s a seductive Italian meal that is so tasty while remaining healthy. Enjoy!

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