Indulge in a truly remarkable culinary experience with our exquisite Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds. This dish is far more than just pasta; it’s a symphony of textures and flavors, designed to impress even the most discerning palates. Imagine tender manicotti shells, generously filled with a delectable mixture of succulent diced chicken, nutritious spinach, and creamy ricotta cheese. Each shell is then bathed in a velvety, rich Gruyere cheese sauce, boasting a sophisticated nutty flavor. A sprinkle of toasted sliced almonds adds a delightful crunch, elevating this casserole to a restaurant-quality meal that feels both comforting and incredibly elegant. Perfect for a special occasion or a luxurious weeknight dinner, this recipe promises to be a new family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Manicotti
This Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor a dish that truly stands out. You’ll adore it for its incredible richness and the luxurious creaminess of the Gruyere sauce, which perfectly complements the hearty chicken and ricotta filling. The addition of fresh spinach not only boosts the nutritional value but also adds a subtle earthy note, while the almonds introduce a welcome texture contrast. It’s a versatile dish that, despite its sophisticated taste, is straightforward enough for home cooks to master. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply craving an elevated comfort meal, this manicotti delivers on all fronts, promising a memorable dining experience with every forkful.
What to Serve With Manicotti With Creamed Chicken and Almonds
To complete your elegant meal, pairing this rich manicotti with lighter, contrasting sides will balance the flavors beautifully. Here are some ideal accompaniments:
- Steamed Broccoli or Green Beans: Simple, crisp-tender vegetables offer a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy pasta. Their natural freshness cleanses the palate, making each bite of manicotti even more enjoyable.
- A Green Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing: A vibrant mixed green salad, featuring a zesty Italian dressing, adds a delightful tang and crunch. It provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the main dish, making the meal feel lighter and more balanced.
- Pepperoncini Garlic Bread: For those who love a bit of zest and a spicy kick, this garlic bread offers a bold flavor profile that stands up well to the creamy manicotti, adding an exciting layer to your meal.
- Lemon Butter Broccoli: The bright, acidic notes of lemon in this broccoli dish cut through the richness of the cheese sauce, providing a refreshing and flavorful vegetable option that complements the main course without overpowering it.
Recipe Tips for Perfect Manicotti Every Time
Achieving the perfect Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds is simple with a few helpful tips. These insights will ensure your dish is as delicious and impressive as possible, from preparation to serving.
- Embrace the Spinach (or Substitute!): While the spinach can be omitted if preferred, it’s highly recommended for both its nutritional benefits and its subtle, earthy flavor that complements the chicken and ricotta beautifully. It truly doesn’t affect the overall taste negatively but adds a wonderful touch of green. If spinach isn’t your preference, consider substituting it with finely chopped sautéed mushrooms for an umami boost or steamed broccoli for another healthy green option. Ensure any substitutes are well-drained to avoid excess moisture.
- Choosing Your Cheese: Gruyere cheese is the star of our creamy sauce, renowned for its complex, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor profile that adds immense depth. While it can be a bit pricier, its distinctive taste is worth the investment. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, good quality Swiss cheese can be used as a substitute. Keep in mind that Swiss cheese offers a milder flavor, so the overall sauce will be less assertive, but still delicious.
- Prepping Your Chicken: For the filling, you’ll need approximately 3 cups of diced cooked chicken. To save time and effort, a rotisserie chicken is an excellent choice, providing tender, flavorful meat with minimal fuss. Alternatively, you can easily cook 2 to 3 chicken breasts in your crock pot until they are perfectly shreddable or diced, ensuring moist and succulent chicken for your manicotti.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: One of the best features of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. You can fully assemble the manicotti up to 8 hours in advance. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. When baking from a chilled state, add about 5 extra minutes to the initial covered baking time to ensure it heats through completely. This flexibility makes it an ideal dish for entertaining or busy weeknights.
- Flavor Variations: Feel free to customize the filling to your taste. For a delicious twist, diced ham can be substituted for the chicken, creating an equally savory and satisfying meal with a different flavor profile.
- Spice Level Adjustment: The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to impart a gentle warmth and subtle spiciness. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount to 1/4 teaspoon or omit it entirely. For those who enjoy more heat, you can easily increase the quantity to your liking.
- To Almond or Not to Almond: The sliced almonds add a wonderful textural contrast and a delicate nutty flavor that truly elevates the dish. However, if you have nut allergies or simply prefer not to include them, they can be left out without significantly impacting the core flavors of the manicotti. The dish will still be incredibly rich and satisfying.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds for days to come.
Refrigeration: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply cover and warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions. Add a splash of milk or broth if the sauce appears too thick.
Freezing (Unbaked): This manicotti is an excellent candidate for freezing before baking. Assemble the dish as directed, but do not bake. Cover the baking dish tightly with a double layer of plastic wrap and then foil. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.
Freezing (Baked): While it’s best frozen unbaked, you can freeze baked leftovers. Allow the manicotti to cool completely, then portion into individual servings. Place in airtight, freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. Note that the texture of the pasta and sauce may be slightly altered after freezing and reheating.
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Try These Other Italian Favorites
If you loved this creamy chicken manicotti, you’re sure to enjoy these other Italian-inspired dishes that bring comfort and flavor to your table:
- Italian Sausage Manicotti: A robust and hearty alternative featuring savory Italian sausage, perfect for a satisfying meal.
- Italian Meatloaf: Smothered in rich fontina cheese and a vibrant tomato sauce, this meatloaf offers a delicious twist on a classic comfort food.
- Creamy Chicken Lasagna: If you enjoy the creamy chicken flavors of this manicotti, you’ll adore this lasagna, which features similar indulgent qualities in a layered pasta format.
- Cajun Shrimp Lasagna Roll-Ups: An incredibly flavorful dish that combines the elegance of lasagna roll-ups with a vibrant Cajun kick from succulent shrimp.
- Slow Cooker Sausage Lasagna: Effortlessly delicious, this lasagna cooks to perfection in your slow cooker, making it an ideal choice for busy days.
- Italian Layered Salad: A beautiful and refreshing salad with distinct layers of fresh ingredients, perfect for complementing any Italian main course.
- Baked Ziti With Italian Sausage: A classic, crowd-pleasing baked pasta dish featuring hearty Italian sausage and a rich tomato sauce.
Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds
Experience a truly impressive, restaurant-quality meal with this Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds. Each tender manicotti shell is generously filled with a rich blend of diced chicken, fresh spinach, and creamy ricotta cheese, then enveloped in a luscious Gruyere cheese sauce and topped with crunchy sliced almonds. It’s a dish that promises to delight with its layers of flavor and satisfying texture.
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 50 mins
Servings: 6
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
Ingredients
For the Cream Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream, divided
- 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
For the Manicotti Filling:
- 3 cups diced cooked chicken (rotisserie or slow-cooked chicken breasts work perfectly)
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and thoroughly squeezed to remove excess water
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 box manicotti shells, cooked according to package directions and drained
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For Topping:
- 3 tablespoons sliced almonds
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Create the Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir constantly for 1 minute to create a roux, allowing the flour to cook out its raw taste.
- Whisk in Liquids: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens. Once thickened, whisk in 1/2 cup of the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to develop.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded Gruyere (or Swiss) cheese until it is completely melted and smooth. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper, then stir in the crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cooked chicken, thoroughly squeezed spinach, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and the lightly beaten egg. Stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined. Season the filling with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, or adjust to your preference. Gently fold in 1/2 cup of the prepared cheese sauce into the chicken mixture to add moisture and flavor to the filling.
- Stuff the Manicotti: Carefully stuff each cooked manicotti shell with the chicken and ricotta mixture. You can use a spoon or a piping bag for easier filling. Arrange the stuffed manicotti shells in a single layer in the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with Sauce: Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup of heavy cream into the reserved Gruyere cheese sauce. Pour this luscious sauce evenly over the arranged manicotti shells, ensuring they are well coated.
- Bake to Perfection: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and the sliced almonds over the top of the manicotti. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden, and the almonds are toasted.
Notes
For the diced chicken, a rotisserie chicken is an excellent shortcut, providing perfectly cooked and seasoned meat. Alternatively, cooking 2 to 3 chicken breasts in a slow cooker until tender, then dicing them, works wonderfully.
This manicotti recipe is great for preparing ahead of time. You can assemble the entire dish up to 8 hours in advance. Simply cover it tightly and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add about 5 extra minutes to the initial covered baking time.
Nutrition
Please note that nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
- Calories: 579kcal
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Protein: 37g
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 159mg
- Sodium: 580mg
- Potassium: 701mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 3g
- Vitamin A: 6537IU
- Vitamin C: 5mg
- Calcium: 384mg
- Iron: 3mg
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