Chicken and pasta shells is a comforting, hearty dish combining tender chicken with pasta (often shell-shaped for holding sauce) in a creamy or tomato-based sauce. It’s great for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
🍝 What It Is
- Pasta shells: Medium or large shell-shaped pasta that “catches” sauce
- Chicken: Diced, shredded, or cubed
- Sauce: Creamy Alfredo, cheesy, or tomato-based
- Add-ins: Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers, and sometimes cheese baked on top
🍳 Simple Chicken and Pasta Shells Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 2 cups pasta shells
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup heavy cream or 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup chopped spinach, broccoli, or peas
Steps
- Cook pasta
- Boil shells in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook chicken and aromatics
- In a skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté onion and garlic until softened.
- Add chicken and vegetables (if using). Cook until heated through.
- Add sauce
- Stir in heavy cream or cream of chicken soup. Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine with pasta
- Add cooked shells and half of the cheese. Stir to coat evenly.
- Optional baking
- Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle remaining cheese on top, and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
🔥 Tips
- Use large shells → they hold sauce and chicken better
- Leftovers → reheat well in the oven or microwave; pasta may absorb more sauce
- Flavor boost → add Italian seasoning, paprika, or a pinch of nutmeg to creamy sauce
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh green salad
- Pair with roasted or steamed vegetables
- Great as a comfort food family dinner or for meal prep
I can also give a creamy, cheesy baked chicken pasta shell casserole recipe that’s rich, restaurant-style, and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Do you want me to do that?
