
Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells make generous little pockets for creamy ricotta and chicken, especially with marinara around the edges. A golden panko topping gives you something crisp to enjoy with the soft pasta.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 32 min
- Total
- 52 min
- Original yield
- Serves 6
- Ingredients
- 12 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Chicken
- Cuisine
- Italian
- Cooking method
- Baking · Baked & roasted
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 16–30 minutes · Total: 31–60 minutes
- Dish type
- Pasta
A few quick notes
1. Separate the cooked shells
After rinsing and draining the al dente shells, pull apart any nested ones and spread them out for filling.
2. Mix chicken in after the cheeses
Combine the ricotta filling ingredients first, then add chopped chicken and mix thoroughly before stuffing.
3. Watch the broiler closely
Remove the foil for the mozzarella and panko finish, keeping watch while cheese melts and crumbs brown.
Get to know the ingredients
Chopped rotisserie breast
Chop the rotisserie chicken breast before mixing it into the ricotta filling so it fits inside the shells.
Divided mozzarella
Some mozzarella goes into the filling, with the remaining portion saved for the top after the covered bake.
Italian-style panko
Keep the Italian-style panko for the broiled topping, scattering it over the final mozzarella layer.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 6. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 6 steps completeMake room for Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Scatter the remaining basil
Once the cheese melts and crumbs turn golden, remove the dish and sprinkle with the reserved fresh basil before serving.
A little more help as you go
Sauce below and above
Spread sauce across the dish bottom before filling shells, then spoon the remaining sauce over them before covering.
Refrigerated assembly is allowed
Cover the sauce-topped shells with foil and refrigerate for up to twenty-four hours before baking.
A few questions you might have
Can I freeze the assembled shells?
After adding the sauce, cover the unbaked dish tightly and freeze for up to three months.
How should frozen shells thaw?
Defrost completely overnight in the refrigerator. Do not thaw the dish on the counter.
How much filling goes in each shell?
Use a heaping tablespoon of the ricotta-chicken mixture in each shell before arranging it in the sauced dish.
Do I cover the shells for their first bake?
Yes, cover the filled, sauce-topped shells with foil for the first baking stage before adding the final topping.
Does all the basil go into the filling?
Divide it between the ricotta filling and the final scattering after broiling, following the amounts in the directions.
Any more cooking tips?
MAKE-AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS: After topping the filled shells with remaining sauce, cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, remove the dish from the oven and allow to rest for about 30 minutes to take the chill off before baking. Follow baking directions as written above. FREEZER DIRECTIONS: After topping the filled shells with remaining sauce, cover the dish tightly with heavy-duty foil or two layers of regular foil, crimping the edges tightly, and place the dish in freezer. It will keep well for up to three months. Before baking, defrost completely overnight in your refrigerator. Do not allow the dish to defrost on kitchen counter. Always defrost fully in the refrigerator for food safety purposes. Follow baking instructions as written above.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: fromvalerieskitchen.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.



