Creamy Cajun Chicken Shells (Print Version)

Tender shells stuffed with seasoned chicken and cheeses, baked in a creamy Cajun sauce for bold, comforting flavor.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 20 jumbo pasta shells

→ Chicken Filling

02 - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
08 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Cajun Cream Sauce

14 - 2 tablespoons butter
15 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
16 - 2 cups milk
17 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
18 - 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
19 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
20 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 190°C. Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and cool on a tray without stacking.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and red bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 additional minute.
03 - Add shredded chicken, Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper to skillet. Stir thoroughly and remove from heat. Allow mixture to cool slightly.
04 - In a mixing bowl, blend the chicken mixture with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese until evenly combined.
05 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Simmer, stirring, until thickened, about 5–7 minutes.
06 - Spread half of the prepared sauce in a 23x33 cm baking dish. Stuff each shell with chicken filling and arrange in the dish over the sauce.
07 - Pour remaining sauce over the stuffed shells and sprinkle with extra mozzarella if desired. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 10 minutes until golden and bubbling.
08 - Allow the dish to cool for several minutes before serving. Optionally garnish with chopped parsley.

# Notes:

01 - For enhanced flavor, let the filling cool before adding cheeses to prevent melting during mixing.
02 - Pasta shells should be cooked just enough to hold their shape when stuffed.

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