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+ servings
Fork lifting a portion of cheesy, sauce-covered pasta from a serving dish.

Chicken Alfredo Manicotti

Tender manicotti pasta shells are filled with a rich mixture of marinated chicken, creamy ricotta, and fresh herbs, then baked in a homemade Alfredo sauce and topped with melted mozzarella for a luxurious Italian-inspired main dish.
8 Servings

Ingredients

  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • ½ cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • 1 12 oz package manicotti pasta
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • cups grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh marjoram chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions
 

Marinate and Cook the Chicken:

  1. Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the vinegar, olive oil, and crushed garlic. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to marinate. Once marinated, sauté the chicken in a pan with a small amount of olive oil over medium heat until fully cooked. Allow to cool slightly, then chop or shred into small pieces.

Cook the Pasta:

  1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the manicotti shells until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain carefully and set aside, taking care not to tear the pasta.

Prepare the Alfredo Sauce:

  1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the heavy cream, salt, nutmeg, and black pepper, stirring frequently. Allow the mixture to simmer gently until it thickens slightly. Reduce heat to low and incorporate the Parmesan cheese, stirring until fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat and set aside.

Prepare the Filling:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, oregano, marjoram, and basil. Stir in the cooked chicken until evenly distributed.

Assemble the Manicotti:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread half of the prepared Alfredo sauce across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Using a spoon or piping bag, gently fill each cooked manicotti shell with the chicken and ricotta mixture. Arrange the stuffed shells in the baking dish over the sauce.

Top and Bake:

  1. Pour the remaining Alfredo sauce over the arranged shells. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes, or until heated through and bubbling. Let the dish stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

To make this dish gluten-free, substitute traditional manicotti pasta with a certified gluten-free pasta alternative, and use gluten-free all-purpose flour if making a roux-based Alfredo sauce. Ensure all other ingredients, such as spices and cheeses, are verified gluten-free by checking labels, especially pre-shredded cheese and packaged herbs.
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