Cheesy Chicken Manicotti Oamc

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Chicken Manicotti OAMC recipe—a creamy, flavorful, and make-ahead pasta dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Tender manicotti shells are stuffed with a rich mixture of shredded chicken, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic for bold, mouthwatering flavor. The manicotti is nestled in a blanket of marinara sauce, topped with a gooey layer of melted mozzarella, and baked to golden perfection. Designed for ease and flexibility, this recipe also includes a freezer-friendly option (Once-A-Month Cooking), allowing you to prepare it ahead of time for effortless weekday meals. Whether you're serving a family dinner or meal prepping, this cheesy chicken manicotti is a satisfying dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 14 pieces manicotti shells
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 piece large egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 0.5 cups water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the manicotti shells for about 6-7 minutes, or until slightly softened but still firm (al dente). Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 3

While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let cool.

Step 4

Shred the cooked chicken into small pieces using two forks or your hands. Set aside.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix until well combined.

Step 6

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish.

Step 7

Using a spoon or piping bag, carefully stuff each manicotti shell with the chicken and cheese mixture. Place the stuffed manicotti in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.

Step 8

In a small mixing bowl, combine the remaining marinara sauce and 1/2 cup of water. Pour this mixture evenly over the stuffed manicotti.

Step 9

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.

Step 10

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 11

Uncover the dish and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly golden.

Step 12

Let the baked manicotti rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!

Step 13

For freezing (OAMC - Once-A-Month Cooking): Follow the recipe up to the step where the stuffed manicotti are placed in the baking dish and the sauce is added on top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as instructed.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2381.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4411.3

Total Fat 142.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 64.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 877.4mg	0%
Sodium 6097.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 463.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.1g	0%
Total Sugars 26.5g
Protein 307.9g	0%

Vitamin D 45IU	0%
Calcium 3340.4mg	0%
Iron 16.2mg	0%
Potassium 1963.4mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.3%

Protein: 28.2%

Carbs: 42.5%