Creamy Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells

 

Creamy Cajun Chicken Stuffed Shells – Comfort Food with a Kick!

Cheesy, creamy, and packed with bold Cajun flavor, these stuffed shells are the perfect weeknight dinner or cozy weekend treat. Tender pasta shells are filled with a savory chicken and cheese mixture, then baked in a rich Cajun cream sauce until golden and bubbly. Get ready to impress!

🔸️Servings: 4–6

🔸️Prep Time: 25 mins

🔸️Cook Time: 30 mins

🔸️Total Time: 55 mins

👉Ingredients:
🔹️🔹️For the Shells:
◾️20 jumbo pasta shells

◾️2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

◾️1 tbsp olive oil

◾️1 cup ricotta cheese

◾️1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

◾️½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

◾️½ cup chopped red bell pepper

◾️¼ cup chopped parsley (for garnish)

◾️1 tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)

◾️Salt and pepper, to taste

🔹️🔹️For the Sauce:
◾️2 tbsp butter

◾️2 tbsp all-purpose flour

◾️2 cups heavy cream

◾️1 tsp garlic powder

◾️½ tsp paprika

◾️½ tsp Cajun seasoning

◾️¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

◾️Salt, to taste

👉Instructions:
✅️1. Prep the Pasta:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Boil pasta shells in salted water until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water. Set aside.

✅️2. Make the Filling:

In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, ricotta, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, red bell pepper, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.

✅️3. Make the Sauce:

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes. Slowly add heavy cream, whisking constantly. Add garlic powder, paprika, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt.

✅️4. Assemble:

Spread a layer of sauce on the bottom of the dish. Stuff each shell with the chicken mixture and arrange in the dish. Pour remaining sauce over shells and top with the rest of the mozzarella.

✅️5. Bake:

Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until hot, bubbly, and golden. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

👉4 Tips for Best Results:
↪️1. Use rotisserie chicken for quicker prep and more flavor.

↪️2. Undercook the shells slightly so they don’t fall apart when stuffing or baking.

↪️3. Taste the filling before stuffing to adjust the seasoning to your liking.

↪️4. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes after baking—this helps the sauce thicken and flavors settle beautifully.