Chicken Manicotti

An easy to make and bake dinner.

This recipe is very easy to prepare. No need to precook the Manicotti Shells since they cook in the dish while baking. A simple assembly, then bake for an hour and you have a filling, cheesy Manicotti dinner.

I like to serve this with a nice rustic bread. In fact, I warm the bread up in the oven while the Manicotti is baking.

CHICKEN MANICOTTI

• 1 (8 oz.) Box Manicotti Noodles (14 Noodles)
• 1 Can (29 oz.) Tomato Puree
• 1 Can (14.5 oz.) Diced Tomatoes w/Basil,Garlic,Oregano
• 2 Cloves Garlic,minced
• 14 Uncooked Chicken Breast Tender Strips (not breaded)
• 1 Cup Roasted Red Peppers, diced
• 2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning
• 1/4 Cup Fresh Basil, chiffonade plus more for garnish if desired
• 1 & 3/4 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• 3/4 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the Tomato Puree, Italian Seasoning, Roasted Red Peppers, Garlic, and the Canned Tomatoes.

3. Place one chicken Strip into each of the Manicotti Shells. The Manicotti and Chicken are not precooked because they will cook in the sauce, in the oven.

4. Spread about 1 Cup of the Tomato Puree mixture into the bottom of a 15 x 10 x 2 pan.

5. Place the filled Manicotti in the pan on top of the Tomato Puree mixture.

6. Ladle the remaining sauce evenly over the Manicotti. Then sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the Fresh Basil.

7. Sprinkle the Mozzarella Cheese over the top of the Sauce followed by the Parmesan Cheese.

8. Get a large piece of aluminium foil, large enough to cover the pan and spray one side with nonstick cooking spray. Cover the pan, ensuring the sprayed side faces the Cheese. the nonstick cooking spray prevents the Cheese from sticking to the foil.

9. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour. All ovens cook differently so look for the Sauce to be bubbly, the Cheese melted and the Manicotti tender.

10. Remove from oven and carefully remove the foil. It will be very hot. Let the Manicotti rest for about 3 minutes prior to serving. You can add a bit more Basil and Parmesan on top for garnish prior to serving if you wish.

Recipe by: Hot Dish Homemaker