Baked Garlic Butter Chicken Shells with Three-Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into thick strips)
• 12 oz medium pasta shells
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
• 5 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1.5 cup heavy cream
• 1.25 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
• 0.75 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.

2. 2

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the 12 oz of medium pasta shells and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. 3

   In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the unsalted butter. Add the chicken breast strips and season with the Italian seasoning. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

4. 4

   In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

5. 5

   Whisk in the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux, ensuring the raw flour taste is gone.

6. 6

   Slowly pour in the 1 cup of whole milk and 1.5 cups of heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens slightly.

7. 7

   Reduce the heat to low. Stir in 1 cup of the mozzarella, 3/4 cup of the white cheddar, and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

8. 8

   Add the cooked pasta shells and the cooked chicken strips into the cheese sauce. Toss well to ensure everything is thoroughly coated.

9. 9

   Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup white cheddar, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over the top.

10. 10

    Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown.

Notes

You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce if you prefer a little heat. For a crispier top, broil for the last 2 minutes of baking.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• dinner
• baked
• pasta
• chicken
• cheese sauce
• comfort food