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These stuffed shells have become my go-to recipe whenever I need to impress dinner guests or just want to treat my family to something special. The combination of tender chicken pieces, fresh broccoli florets and my homemade Alfredo sauce tucked into pasta shells creates pure comfort food magic. It's one of those recipes that always gets everyone gathering around the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready!
Everything You Need For These Amazing Stuffed Shells
- Chicken: 2 chicken breasts diced into bite-sized pieces. I get mine from the local butcher.
- Jumbo Shells: 1 box of those beautiful large pasta shells perfect for stuffing.
- Broccoli: 1 cup of fresh florets cut just right for the filling.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: 16 oz for that luxurious sauce you'll want to eat by the spoonful.
- Grated Parmesan: ¼ cup freshly grated makes all the difference in the sauce.
- Shredded Parmesan: ½ cup for that perfect filling texture.
- Shredded Mozzarella: 1 cup because who doesn't love that melty cheese pull?
- Butter: 1 stick the secret to a velvety sauce.
- Cream Cheese: ¼ block my special touch for extra creaminess.
- Seasonings: My perfect blend of salt black pepper onion powder garlic powder Sazon smoked paprika Creole seasoning and Italian seasoning.
- Olive Oil: Just enough to get that chicken golden brown.
Let's Cook This Together
- First The Chicken
- Cut your chicken into small pieces season them with olive oil and all those wonderful spices. Pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes while you prep everything else.
- Time to Cook
- Get your skillet nice and hot with some oil and butter. Cook that chicken until it's golden and delicious about 6-7 minutes. Set it aside then cook your broccoli in the same pan.
- The Famous Sauce
- Add more butter and fresh garlic to your pan. Once you smell that gorgeous garlic pour in your cream and cream cheese. Keep stirring until it thickens then add all those yummy seasonings and fresh Parmesan.
- Pasta Perfect
- Cook those jumbo shells in plenty of salted water until they're just right. Save some of that starchy water before draining.
- Stuffing Time
- Mix your chicken broccoli cheeses and that heavenly sauce in a bowl. Then comes the fun part filling each shell with this incredible mixture.
- Into The Oven
- Pour some sauce in your baking dish nestle in those stuffed shells top with more sauce cheese and herbs. Bake at 375°F until bubbly and perfect about 15 minutes.
- The Best Part
- Serve these beauties up hot and watch everyone's faces light up with the first bite!
My Kitchen Secrets for the Best Results
- Make it Extra Special: A little drizzle of good olive oil right before serving takes these shells to the next level.
- Switch it Up: Sometimes I use shrimp instead of chicken when I'm feeling fancy or turkey when I have leftovers.
- Prep Ahead: I often make these in the morning then pop them in the oven right before dinner.
- Save Some for Later: They'll keep beautifully in the fridge for 3 days though they rarely last that long in my house!
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Why This Recipe Means So Much to Me
I first made these stuffed shells for my daughter's graduation dinner and they've become our family's most requested meal. There's something magical about pulling that bubbling dish from the oven watching the cheese stretch as you serve each portion. The way the creamy sauce pools around the shells the tender bites of chicken and bright green broccoli it's pure comfort food perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why marinate the chicken?
Marinating helps the seasonings penetrate the meat, making every bite flavorful. Even 30 minutes makes a difference.
- → How do I prevent the shells from breaking?
Cook them just until al dente - they'll continue cooking in the oven. Handle gently when stuffing and don't overcrowd the baking dish.
- → Can I make this ahead?
Prepare everything up to the baking step. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake when ready to serve.
- → Why save pasta water?
The starchy water can help thin the sauce if it gets too thick. Add a little at a time until you reach desired consistency.
- → What if I can't find jumbo shells?
Large cannelloni tubes or manicotti work well as alternatives. Adjust filling amount accordingly.