Easy Make-Ahead Chicken Manicotti
This easy to prepare Chicken Manicotti is perfect for busy weekdays or weekends. With minimal prep, you can make one dish to enjoy now and another to freeze for later. Filled with tender chicken breast, smothered in a rich spaghetti sauce, and topped with olives and mozzarella cheese, this one-dish meal is sure to become a family favorite.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
garlic salt
1 teaspoon (Sprinkled on chicken)
chicken breast tenders
1 1/2 lbs (Uncooked)
manicotti shells
14 (Uncooked)
sliced ripe olives
2.5 ounces (Drained)
spaghetti sauce
30 ounces (Any variety)
shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups (Ready to use)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Spread about 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce evenly across the bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
3
Sprinkle the chicken breast tenders evenly with garlic salt.
4
Gently stuff each uncooked manicotti shell with chicken. If needed, fill each shell from both ends.
5
Arrange the filled manicotti shells in the prepared baking dish on top of the sauce.
6
Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the manicotti shells, ensuring they are completely covered.
7
Sprinkle the top evenly with sliced olives, followed by shredded mozzarella cheese.
8
To store in refrigerator: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
9
To freeze for later: Wrap the dish tightly in aluminum foil, label it, and freeze for up to 1 month.
10
To cook from refrigerator: Remove from the fridge about 1 hour before serving. Bake the covered dish in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until the manicotti shells are tender.
11
To cook from freezer: Remove from the freezer about 1 1/2 hours before serving. Bake the covered dish in the preheated oven for about 1 1/2 hours or until the manicotti shells are tender.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Easy Make-Ahead Chicken Manicotti?
It is a simple, one-dish Italian-inspired meal featuring chicken-stuffed pasta shells baked in sauce and mozzarella cheese, designed for easy preparation and freezing.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Do I need to boil the manicotti shells before stuffing?
No, you use 14 uncooked manicotti shells for this recipe.
How do I prepare the baking dish?
Spread about 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce evenly across the bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
What kind of chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of uncooked chicken breast tenders.
How do I season the chicken?
Sprinkle the chicken breast tenders evenly with 1 teaspoon of garlic salt before stuffing the shells.
How do I stuff the manicotti shells?
Gently stuff each uncooked shell with the seasoned chicken tenders, filling from both ends if necessary.
How much spaghetti sauce is required?
You will need 30 ounces of your favorite variety of spaghetti sauce.
What are the toppings for the manicotti?
The dish is topped with 2.5 ounces of sliced ripe olives and 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Can I prepare this dish in advance for the refrigerator?
Yes, cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Can I freeze this chicken manicotti?
Yes, wrap the dish tightly in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 1 month.
How do I cook the manicotti from the refrigerator?
Remove from the fridge 1 hour before serving and bake covered for about 1 hour or until the shells are tender.
How do I cook the manicotti from the freezer?
Remove from the freezer 1.5 hours before serving and bake covered for about 1.5 hours or until the shells are tender.
What size baking dish is needed?
A 13x9x2-inch baking dish is required.
Should I grease the baking dish?
No, the recipe specifies using an ungreased baking dish.
Do I need to cook the chicken before stuffing?
No, the chicken tenders should be stuffed into the shells while they are still uncooked.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The recipe uses 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Are the olives mandatory?
While the recipe calls for 2.5 ounces of sliced ripe olives, they can be omitted if you prefer.
How much garlic salt is used?
One teaspoon of garlic salt is used to season the chicken.
Is this considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is a complete meal that can be prepared in a single baking dish.
Should the dish be covered while baking?
Yes, the dish should be covered with aluminum foil during the baking process.
How do I know when the manicotti is ready?
The dish is ready when the manicotti shells are tender.
Can I use different types of spaghetti sauce?
Yes, any variety of spaghetti sauce can be used to suit your preference.
Is this recipe suitable for a busy weeknight?
Yes, its make-ahead nature makes it perfect for busy weekdays or weekends.
How many manicotti shells are needed?
The recipe requires 14 manicotti shells.
What preparation is needed for the olives?
The sliced ripe olives should be drained before being added to the dish.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
The primary tags include chicken, manicotti, make-ahead, freezer-friendly, and Italian.
How should the remaining sauce be applied?
The remaining 2/3 of the spaghetti sauce should be poured over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are completely covered.
What is the description of this meal?
It is a family favorite meal with tender chicken smothered in rich sauce and topped with olives and cheese.