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Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells are a delicious and easy dinner, shown as a tempting featured image.

ULTIMATE BUFFALO CHICKEN STUFFED SHELLS

This recipe combines the comforting taste of stuffed pasta shells with the spicy kick of Buffalo chicken. Jumbo pasta shells are filled with a creamy, cheesy, and spicy Buffalo chicken mixture, then baked to bubbly perfection. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 24-30 jumbo pasta shells
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese whole milk or part-skim
  • 4 oz blue cheese crumbles
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Buffalo wing sauce Frank's RedHot is a classic
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced optional
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish
  • Ranch or blue cheese dressing optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • Large bowl
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Spoon
  • aluminum foil
  • Oven
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer (optional)
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • knife
  • cutting board

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the jumbo shells according to package directions, but reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes. They should be *al dente*. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  3. Cook the chicken breasts using your preferred method (boiling, baking, or poaching). Once cooked, shred the chicken into small pieces.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, ricotta cheese, blue cheese crumbles, half of the cheddar cheese (reserve the other half for topping), half a cup of the Buffalo wing sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, salt, pepper, and diced celery (if using). Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  5. Using a spoon or a piping bag, carefully stuff each cooked pasta shell with the Buffalo chicken filling. Pack the filling firmly but gently.
  6. Arrange the stuffed shells in the prepared baking dish, side by side, in a single layer.
  7. Pour the remaining half cup of Buffalo wing sauce evenly over the stuffed shells.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top.
  9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  10. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  11. Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
  12. Garnish with sliced green onions and a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, use full-fat ricotta cheese. Do not overfill the shells to prevent bursting. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave. You can adjust the amount of Buffalo wing sauce to control the level of spiciness. Undercook the pasta slightly to prevent mushiness.