This delicious chicken manicotti alfredo recipe is a comfort food classic that makes a family-friendly meal for weeknight dinners.
Juicy, plump chicken and tender broccoli in alfredo sauce are stuffed into manicotti noodles and baked up until cheesy, creamy, and delicious!
We love chicken alfredo pasta, but after making it a million times, it started getting boring. That's why we decided to put our favorite pasta sauce inside the noodles instead of the other way around!
This was inspired by my stuffed shells recipe and our Olive Garden inspired Stuffed Shells. All these stuffed pasta recipes go great with our amazing air fryer garlic bread recipe.
Why You Will Love Chicken Alfredo Manicotti
- It's an easy, delicious meal that the whole family will enjoy on busy weeknights.
- A versatile recipe. Easily swap out sauces and the filling ingredients.
- A family dinner that's also great to serve guests.
- Travels well so it works great to carry along to a potluck.
- Easily double or triple the recipe to serve a large group so everyone can enjoy some!
Ingredients
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this variation of a comfort food classic. Check out the recipe card at the end of the post for exact amounts.
- Manicotti noodles: These are found in the pasta aisle at most grocery stores. They are long tubes about four inches long and one inch in diameter.
- Cooked chicken: You can cook fresh or use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for added convenience.
- Cooked broccoli florets: Use fresh or frozen depending on what's easiest for you.
- Cheese: We will be using a combination of ricotta cheese, Colby jack cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
- Seasoning: Grab the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and ground black pepper from the cabinet to season this dish.
- Alfredo sauce: Use storebought or your favorite homemade alfredo sauce recipe.
Substitutions
Missing some ingredients or simply looking to change it up a bit? Here are some ideas we've tried that work!
- Change up the cheese: You can easily add different cheeses or use a combination of your favorite cheeses.
- Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino romano makes a great substitute.
- Manicotti pasta: Use cannelloni or large shells instead for stuffing. You can also use lasagna noodles and roll them around the filling instead
- Cooked Chicken: Swap the chicken for just about any cooked meat. You might try ground beef, ground turkey, sausage, diced bacon, pancetta, ham, or shrimp.
- Garlic powder: Swap for fresh garlic but use two tablespoons instead.
- Alfredo sauce: Use marinara, vodka sauce, pesto sauce, bolognese, parmesan sauce, or red sauce.
Variations
Here's some inspiration for additions you can add to change up this manicotti alfredo recipe completely!
- Vegetarian: Eliminate the chicken and add more veggies such as mushrooms, bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and spinach in place of the chicken.
- Add a crunchy topping: Sprinkle breadcrumbs, panko, crispy fried onions, or some chopped walnuts or pine nuts on top for some crunch before baking.
- Like it spicy? Add a teaspoon of chili pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the alfredo sauce.
- Herb Garnish: For a nice punch of flavor, sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, chives, green onions, or a sprinkling of Italian seasoning over the top just before serving.
- More vegetables: Try different variations of cooked veggies. We love sweet bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, cauliflower, green beans, asparagus, roasted red peppers, kale, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Like a richer and creamier alfredo sauce? Add a tablespoon of butter while heating it up.
How to Make Chicken Alfredo Manicotti
This easy recipe only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps. The overview is right here, but you'll find the full instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Combine the grated cheeses and seasonings in a bowl.
- Add the ricotta cheese, chicken, and broccoli, and mix it all up
- Stuff your cooked manicotti noodles with the chicken and broccoli mixture. Hold the noodle in one hand and squeeze it open while using a spoon to stuff the noodle with the other hand.
TOP TIP: The noodles break easily so be careful not to stuff them too full. You can stuff them from both ends to make it easier as well.
- Spread alfredo sauce over the bottom of a baking dish and add the stuffed manicotti noodles in the baking dish.
- Cover the stuffed manicotti with the remaining alfredo sauce.
- Bake the alfredo manicotti uncovered until bubbly. Sprinkle shredded parmesan over the top and bake again until it's melted.
- Serve it up and enjoy!
Storage
Have leftovers of this manicotti recipe? Here's how to store and keep them fresh!
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 4 months.
- Make Ahead: Make the chicken and broccoli stuffing in advance to save a bit of time. You can also use pre-cooked chicken or even store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time. It's best to assemble the manicotti noodles when you're ready to bake.
- Reheat: Bake in a covered dish for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. If frozen, be sure to defrost the manicotti in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
What to Serve with Stuffed Manicotti Alfredo
Serving your Manicotti Alfredo with some crusty bread or a simple tossed salad makes for a complete meal to please even the pickiest eaters in your family.
- Bread: When it comes to bread, we love these homemade breadsticks or some Italian cheese bread.
- Salad: Toss your favorite greens with this easy lemon mustard vinaigrette.
- Veggie: Parmesan air fryer green beans and instant pot asparagus are two easy side dishes if you love veggies and want more of them on the plate.
Need more side dish ideas? Check out our what to serve with stuffed shells list! Any of these tasty sides will work great with baked chicken manicotti.
Tips
- Carefully stuff your manicotti noodles as they can easily break and avoid overstuffing them.
- Try using two spoons instead of one to fill your manicotti. Hold each end open while spooning in the filling with one spoon while using the other spoon to help push down the filling and prevent overstuffing.
- Space the manicotti out evenly in the baking dish so they cook evenly.
- For an extra cheesy version, sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top of the noodles and broil in the last five minutes until golden brown.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best flavor and texture. Pre-shredded cheese can often be dry and contain added starches that prevent proper melting.
- Don't overcook the manicotti during prep. Cook them only to al dente. That way they won't become overcooked and mushy once baked in the oven.
- Cool the manicotti noodles before you stuff them with the chicken and broccoli mixture.
FAQ
The easiest way is to hold one of the noodles in one hand with it slightly opened up and use a spoon to stuff it with the other hand. You can also stuff from both ends of the noodle, but be careful not to break or overstuff them.
Yes, you can stuff jumbo shell noodles or cannelloni noodles with the filling or roll cooked lasagna noodles around the filling instead.
Yes, you can make all twelve manicotti noodles but you will need to double the filing. You may need to bake them in separate dishes or for an additional 10 minutes in order to heat them all the way through.
You do not have to use store-bought alfredo sauce as you can make your own alfredo sauce and use it in this recipe.
Video
More Recipes with Alfredo Sauce
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Manicotti
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 Manicotti noodles
- 2 ½ cups chicken cooked and shredded (about 2 large chicken breasts)
- 2 cups broccoli florets cooked
- 1 tub (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- ½ cup Colby jack cheese shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 ½ tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 jar (22 oz) alfredo sauce or homemade
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- fresh Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Colby jack, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add chicken and broccoli to the cheese mixture and combine well.
- Spread a ¼ cup layer of alfredo sauce over the bottom of your 9x13 baking dish and cook your manicotti noodles according to the box directions, allow them to cool slightly.
- Stuff your cooked manicotti noodles with the chicken broccoli mixture. The easiest way to do this is to hold the noodle in one hand and squeeze it open while using a spoon to stuff the noodle with the other hand. The noodles break easily so be careful not to stuff them too full. You can stuff them from both ends to make it easier as well.
- Lay the stuffed noodles side by side lengthwise in your baking dish and cover with the remaining alfredo sauce.
- Bake uncovered in your preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the stuffed noodles are heated throughout.
- Sprinkle an even layer of shredded parmesan cheese over the noodles and place it back in the oven, uncovered, for 5 minutes or just long enough to melt the parmesan cheese.
- Top with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
-
- Carefully stuff your manicotti noodles as they can easily break and avoid overstuffing them.
-
- Try using two spoons instead of one to fill your manicotti. Hold each end open while spooning in the filling with one spoon while using the other spoon to help push down on the filling and prevent overstuffing.
-
- Space the manicotti out evenly in the baking dish so they cook evenly.
-
- For an extra cheesy version, sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top of the noodles and broil in the last five minutes until golden brown.
-
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best flavor and texture. Pre-shredded cheese can often be dry and contain added starches that prevent proper melting.
-
- Don't overcook the manicotti during prep. Cook them only to al dente. That way they won't become overcooked and mushy once baked in the oven.
-
- Cool the manicotti noodles before you stuff them with the chicken and broccoli mixture.
Linae Bouche
I've read and reread and I don't see anywhere in the recipe directions that say what to do with the Colby Jack. I used it for the filling which may have been why I had a cup or more of filling left over. I used cottage cheese instead of ricotta (more protein) and halved the pepper. Didn't have enough broccoli so added spinach. Everyone enjoyed it, will be making it again.
I also used a piping bag to fill the manicotti.
Karin and Ken
I apologize. I am not sure what happened but it wasn’t included in the directions. You were right to add it to your filling. I’m glad everyone enjoyed it and I’m excited to use spinach the next time I make it. Such a wonderful change it will be. Thank you for letting me know i made an error. As always I am grateful. All the best. Karin
Nadine
This dish really makes my mouth water while cooking it. I love that you added the broccoli! It really makes all the difference. Sometimes I do a bit of sautéed mushrooms as well. So yummy!
Karin and Ken
Thank you for the mushroom reminder/suggestion. I’m going to make it myself. I was trying to decide what to eat for dinner tonight and you just gave me a great idea! I love this dish and totally forgot about it. Thank you for taking the time to comment. You made my day! All the best. Karin