Creamy Baked Cheesy Chicken Shells
Cheesy Chicken Shells are jumbo pasta shells stuffed with tender chicken, broccoli, and a rich creamy cheese sauce, then baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a hearty, family friendly dinner that feels comforting but still simple enough for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts diced into small chunks
- 1 box jumbo pasta shells
- 1 cup broccoli florets chopped small
- 16 oz heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 stick butter
- ¼ block cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Creole seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Sazon seasoning
Instructions
- Dice chicken, mix with oil and seasonings, refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Cook chicken in butter and oil 6–7 minutes until golden. Set aside.
- Sauté chopped broccoli in the same skillet about 3 minutes.
- Melt butter, add garlic, cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Stir until smooth and thick.
- Boil jumbo shells in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Mix chicken, broccoli, mozzarella, Parmesan, and half the sauce. Add pasta water if needed.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread sauce in baking dish and fill shells with the mixture.
- Pour remaining sauce over shells, add mozzarella, bake 15 minutes.
- Rest 5 minutes, then serve warm.