Main Dishes

Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds

Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds is stuffed with a mixture of diced chicken, spinach and ricotta cheese and topped

  • Serves 6
  • Prep 20 minutes
  • Cook 30 minutes
  • Total 50 minutes

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Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds

What To Serve With Manicotti With Creamed Chicken and Almonds

Recipe Tips

  • The spinach can be left out but it adds some good nutrition and doesn’t affect the flavor.
  • Sauteed mushrooms or finely chopped steamed broccoli can be substituted for the spinach.
  • I love the flavor of Gruyere, but it is expensive. Swiss cheese can be used instead, but it is not as flavorful.
  • You will need about 3 cups of diced cooked chicken for the filling. I like to use rotisserie chicken or cook 2 to 3 chicken breasts in my crock pot.
Chicken Manicotti in a 9x13-inch baking dish
  • The manicotti can be assembled up to 8 hours ahead of time and refrigerated until you are ready to bake it. Add about 5 minutes onto the baking time.
  • Diced ham can be substituted for the chicken for an equally delicious meal.
  • The filling has 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for a little spiciness. You can reduce the amount to 1/4 teaspoon or omit altogether if you don’t want it spicy.
  • I like the crunch that the almonds give this dish, but they can be left out.

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days.

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Recipe

Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds

Manicotti with Creamed Chicken and Almonds is stuffed with a mixture of diced chicken, spinach and ricotta cheese and topped with a creamy Gruyere cheese sauce and sliced almonds. So rich and delicious and makes a really impressive restaurant quality meal.

  • Serves 6
  • Prep 20 minutes
  • Cook 30 minutes
  • Total 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 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
  • 3 cups diced cooked chicken
  • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed in paper towels to get rid of excess water)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg (lightly beaten)
  • 1 box manicotti shells (cooked according to package directions.)
  • 3 tablespoons sliced almonds

Instructions

  1. 1

    Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

  2. 2

    Sprinkle flour over onion mixture. Stir and cook for 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Gradually whisk in the chicken broth. When thickened, whisk in 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Simmer for 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Remove from heat and stir in Gruyere cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add crushed red pepper flakes.

  5. 5

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

  6. 6

    In a large bowl, combine chicken, spinach, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and egg. Stir to mix well. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Add in 1/2 cup of the sauce. Stir.

  7. 7

    Stuff manicotti shells with the chicken mixture. Arrange manicotti in baking dish.

  8. 8

    Mix the remaining 1/4 cup of heavy cream into the gruyere sauce and pour over the manicotti.

  9. 9

    Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and the almonds. Cover and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake another 5 minutes.

Notes

For the chicken, I like to use a rotisserie chicken or cook 2 to 3 chicken breasts in my crock pot. The manicotti can be assembled up to 8 hours ahead of time and refrigerated until you are ready to bake it. Add about 5 minutes onto the baking time.

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking dish

Nutrition

  • Calories579 kcal
  • Carbohydrates39 g
  • Protein37 g
  • Fat31 g
  • Saturated Fat17 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat2 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat9 g
  • Trans Fat0.2 g
  • Cholesterol159 mg
  • Sodium580 mg
  • Potassium701 mg
  • Fiber4 g
  • Sugar3 g
  • Vitamin A6537 IU
  • Vitamin C5 mg
  • Calcium384 mg
  • Iron3 mg