Cajun Chicken Shells (Printable Version)
# What You'll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
02 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
03 -
1 cup ricotta cheese
04 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 -
1/4 teaspoon salt
06 -
1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 -
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
08 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
09 -
1 red bell pepper, diced
10 -
1/2 onion, finely chopped
11 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 -
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
13 -
20 jumbo pasta shells
→ Sauce Ingredients
14 -
Pepper to taste
15 -
Salt to taste
16 -
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
17 -
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
18 -
1/2 cup heavy cream
19 -
2 cups milk
20 -
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
21 -
2 tablespoons butter
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Boil your pasta shells following the box. Drain them and let them cool off for a bit.
02 -
Warm some olive oil in a skillet on medium. Toss in diced onions and bell pepper, cooking till they're soft, about five minutes. Toss in that minced garlic and let it go another minute.
03 -
Mix in the shredded chicken, Cajun spices, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything's blended. Turn off the heat and let it cool off a bit. Now, grab a bowl and add in the cheeses—mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan. Dump in the chicken-veggie mix. Give it all a good stir so it’s nicely mixed.
04 -
Melt butter in a saucepan on medium. Sprinkle in the flour and stir for about a minute. Slowly pour in milk and heavy cream, stirring so it’s smooth. Add in Cajun seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let it thicken while it gently bubbles, about 5 to 7 minutes.
05 -
Spoon some sauce into the bottom of your 9x13 baking dish. Stuff each shell with your cheesy chicken filling and arrange them in the dish, open side up.
06 -
Pour the rest of your sauce over the filled shells. Sprinkle more mozzarella on top if you’d like. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes. Take off the foil and let it cook another 10 minutes till golden and bubbly.
07 -
Let everything rest a few minutes before you dig in. Sprinkle on a little parsley if you feel fancy.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Grab a rotisserie chicken to speed things up.
02 -
Thicken the sauce before adding it on top of the shells.