Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells (Make-Ahead Dish)

This chicken alfredo stuffed shells recipe features jumbo pasta shells and creamy, homemade alfredo sauce. It's an easy weeknight meal that can be prepped a day ahead!

You'll love this recipe for potlucks! Easy to make and hearty enough to feed a large group, these shells have all the flavors of a deluxe chicken alfredo pizza and are sure to disappear fast from the buffet table!

If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like my other creamy pasta dishes. My garlic chicken pasta is a comforting meal that's easy to put together, while my creamy pasta with bacon and peas is a delicious blend of savory and sweet.

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Key Ingredients
• How to Make Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
• Tips for Making the Best Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
• Serving Suggestions 
• Recipe Variation Ideas
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How to Store Leftovers
• Similar Recipes You'll Love
• Recipe Card
• Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
• Comments

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This recipe is a cinch to prepare, making it a perfect quick-fix meal for busy weeknights.
• Classic Flavors: It combines the classic flavors of chicken, bacon, and alfredo sauce, making it a surefire hit with everyone.
• Crowd pleaser: If you're hosting a gathering or a potluck, this dish will definitely please the crowd.
• Comfort Food: There's something incredibly comforting about a plate of these creamy, cheesy stuffed shells.
• One-Pot Wonder: This recipe can be a one-pot wonder if you cook the chicken and the pasta in the same pot, making cleanup super easy!

Key Ingredients

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this chicken alfredo stuffed shells recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Chicken Breast Strips: The star of our dish, these will be cooked until tender and juicy, then shredded into bite-sized pieces.
• Broiled Bacon: Adds a lovely smoky flavor that compliments the chicken and the alfredo sauce. You'll want to broil or fry it until it's nice and crispy, then crumble it into our mixture.
• Green Onion: Brings a fresh, slightly peppery flavor and a pop of color to our dish. Chop it up finely and mix it in with the other ingredients.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into a gooey, stretchy layer on top of our shells, giving the dish a lovely cheesy pull.
• Parmesan Cheese: Its nutty, salty flavor will help to enhance the overall savory profile of the dish. We'll mix this with our mozzarella to top our stuffed shells.
• Jumbo Pasta Shells: These will be the vessels for our delicious chicken alfredo mixture, cooking until they're tender but still hold their shape.

• Alfredo Sauce: This is what brings everything together. You can go for storebought sauce or make your own homemade version easily for this recipe.

How to Make Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells

Making these incredible chicken alfredo stuffed shells is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:

Prepare the Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells Mixture

Broil (or Fry) Bacon: Cook the bacon using your preferred method and set it aside to cool. I recommend broiling them using my easy broiled bacon recipe. Once cooled, crumble it into small pieces.

Prepare the Cheese: Grate the mozzarella and parmesan cheese, mix them together, and set them aside until you're ready to use them.

Prepare the Ingredients: Cut the chicken strips, green onion, and broiled bacon into small pieces. Place these ingredients into a large bowl.

Add the Cheeses and Sauce: Add ¾ of the shredded cheese (reserve the rest for topping) and 1.5 cups of homemade Alfredo sauce to the bowl. Add salt and pepper, then mix well to combine all the ingredients.

Stuff the Shells: Stuff the jumbo shells with the chicken, bacon, and onion mixture. Rinse the shells with cold water to cool them down quickly. Use a heaping tablespoon of the mixture for each shell.

Arrange the Shells: Place the stuffed shells into an oven-safe baking pan. You can use two medium-sized pans, one for immediate use and one to freeze for later. Top each shell with a teaspoon of Alfredo sauce.

How to Bake Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 F.

Add the Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the stuffed shells. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake at 350 F for 45 minutes for two pans or 35 minutes for one pan.

Let the Shells Cool: Allow the shells to cool slightly before serving.

Garnish and Serve: Garnish the shells with freshly chopped parsley or chives before serving. Enjoy your delicious chicken alfredo stuffed shells!

For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.

Tips for Making the Best Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells

• Choose the Right Chicken: For this chicken alfredo stuffed shells recipe, I recommend using shredded rotisserie chicken. It's convenient, flavorful, and a great way to use up leftovers. If you don't have rotisserie chicken on hand, you can also use chopped chicken breast strips. Just make sure the chicken is cooked through and seasoned well.
• Stuff the Shells Al Dente: Rinse the jumbo pasta shells with cold water before stuffing them. This will help them cool down faster and it will also make them easier to handle. You'll want the shells to be al dente so they hold their shape well when stuffed.
• Top with Extra Sauce and Cheese: Before you pop the shells into the oven, top each shell with a teaspoon of Alfredo sauce. This will keep the shells moist and add extra flavor. You can also sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the stuffed shells.
• Let the Shells Cool Before Serving: After baking, let the chicken alfredo shells cool for a few minutes before serving. This will not only prevent anyone from burning their mouths, but it will also allow the flavors to settle and the cheese to set, making the shells easier to serve.

Serving Suggestions 

• This hearty chicken alfredo stuffed shells recipe is a meal in itself, but you can always pair it with a fresh Caesar salad and some cheesy garlic bread for a complete Italian dinner. The crisp, refreshing salad and the warm, garlic-infused bread complement the rich and creamy chicken alfredo shells perfectly.
• If you're looking for a lighter option, serve these chicken alfredo shells with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables. The crunch of the fresh vegetables and the burst of natural flavors make a perfect contrast to the creamy and cheesy stuffed shells.
• For a casual lunch, pack these chicken alfredo stuffed shells in an airtight container and bring along some refreshing strawberry lemonade. The tangy sweetness of the lemonade pairs wonderfully with the savory flavors of the shells, making it a refreshing and satisfying meal.

Recipe Variation Ideas

• Ricotta Cheese: If you're a fan of creamy and smooth textures, you can substitute half of the mozzarella cheese with ricotta cheese. The ricotta cheese will add a lusciously creamy texture.
• Broccoli: For a touch of green and a boost of nutrients, you can add some steamed or sautéed broccoli to the mixture. The broccoli will add a nice crunch and a fresh flavor to the rich and creamy chicken alfredo stuffed shells.
• Fresh Parsley: If you love the fresh, herby flavor of parsley, you can add a handful of freshly chopped parsley to the chicken and cheese mixture.
• Spinach: For a healthy and colorful twist, you can add some sautéeds spinach to the chicken and cheese mixture. The spinach will add a beautiful green color and a mild, earthy flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Leftovers

• Storing: You can store leftovers by simply placing them in an airtight container. They will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Make Ahead: Prep the casserole and pop it in the fridge the night before. Simply preheat the oven and bake the next day.
• Freezing: Unfortunately, due to the high dairy content in this recipe (from the Alfredo sauce and cheeses), freezing is not recommended. The texture of the cheeses and the sauce can change significantly when frozen and thawed, resulting in a less-than-desirable dish.
• Reheating: Reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F until they are heated through. Remember, the texture may not be as good as when the shells were fresh.

Similar Recipes You'll Love

• Easy Cheesy Marinara Pasta Recipe
• Pasta with Meat Sauce and Cheese
• Creamy Peas and Bacon Pasta Recipe
• Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta
• Shrimp Alfredo Fettuccine Pasta Recipe
• Chicken Bacon Mushroom Alfredo Lasagna Recipe

Recipe Card

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This recipe was originally posted on November 2, 2017(original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.