This recipe was one of my first big accomplishments. I made it the first time I hosted a dinner party for my family in my new condo. I was totally nervous about cooking for so many people and just being host for the first time since leaving the nest. I was lucky to have it come out as a great success and because I was so inexperienced with cooking and hosting, I used the exact recipe for my next 2 dinner parties (involving different guests of course - I'm not that foolish to keep serving the same thing to the same people...lol). Each time I made it (for friends and then for the bf's mom) they came out great. I originally used this recipe because it felt/feels like I have been trying to lose weight for years so I am always looking for chicken recipes as I don't (want to) eat a lot of red meat - not because I don't love it because I absolutely do - but because I am trying to eat leaner meats... was...am...was...am....who knows anymore. ANYWHO, chicken can get boring....fast. So I am always looking for new ideas and for my family I had to make a lot of something - it couldn't drain my wallet, and it had to impress without driving me crazy in the kitchen. I came across a stuffed shell recipe (sounds fancy and/or intricate) but it was made with chicken...hmm....so again I am not that foolish to try a new recipe for my first dinner party. I had to test it out on the guinea pig aka the bf. So I made it one night and I couldn't believe how easy it was and more importantly how good it tasted. I was worried about the concept of putting cubes of chicken in pasta shells and it coming out well but it did and it wasn't greasy ground beef! Success with healthy alternative cooking! So I want to share the recipe with you because last night I took the trip down memory lane and made this for dinner. It was just as good as I remember. Stuffed Chicken & Cheese Shells Ingredients - serves approx 4 16 jumbo shells (make at least 4 extra because you'll break/tear them...you just will. It's how life is sometimes. So just make 20 and if you have enough filling where there are leftovers for breakfast...mmm..pasta for breakfast) 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cubed..small cubes people - it's going into shells 1/4 of a spanish onion, finely chopped 5 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 1/2 a large can of your fav tomato sauce ( I know that's not a real measurement :P) 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs 2 tsp of Italian seasoning 1 cup of shredded cheddar/mozzarella cheese (light)...or more...if you like cheese :) Parmasan & chili pepper flakes to taste and of course: salt, pepper, olive oil Directions Preheat oven to 375F Heat up a large pot of water until it boils - add some salt and olive oil so the shells don't stick to the bottom and you end up ripping half of them.... Add the shells and cook for approx 10-12 mins - remove and lay out on wax paper to cool Meanwhile, heat up a large skillet to medium heat. Add onions - cook for a min or 2. Add chicken - cook for a min or 2. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper & chili pepper flakes if your heart desires - cook until chicken is cooked through. Turn heat low and add breadcrumbs and mix well. Turn heat off and mix in 1/2 or a bit more of the cheese and mix well until you end up with goo! :) It's tasty goo though. Using a large spoon, fill it with gooey love and stuff it in the shells one by one. Place them in a large greased up casserole dish so they are not touching one another.

Raquel Teixeira Naked Stuffed Shells image:59029:2::0

Now - spoon some tomato sauce over the shells making sure they are well covered, otherwise they will dry out. Sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese on top of each shell, pressing lightly on each one to make sure it stays there like a cute straw hat. Sprinkle with some parmesan or you can wait until later to do that.

Raquel Teixeira Chicken & Cheese Stuffed Shells, awaiting the oven image:59030:2::0

Stick her in the oven for 30 mins covered with a foil hat and then uncover her and sprinkle parmesan if you didn't before and cook her for 10 more minutes - with the last few on broil because bubbly cheese is the best kind there is.

Raquel Teixeira Chicken & Cheese Stuffed Shells w/ Green Beans image:59031:2::0

Enjoy these yummy little wonders with a side of green beans roasted with olive oil, salt, pepper and parmesan or some other green friend.

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