Curry Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Shells
Curry Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Shells is the perfect weeknight meal for your family. It’s such a classic recipe. You’ve probably tried a version of this dish before. It was likely called Chicken Divan, or maybe Broccoli Chicken Curry Casserole or some variation of that and served over rice. With this version, however, I’ve upped the comfort factor and stuffed all this curry goodness right inside a pasta shell.
When you think comfort, what’s the first dish you think of? I go to pasta, any style, any type and any sauce. If I had to narrow it down, it would probably be this Best Almost Homemade Spaghetti Sauce, one of the first recipes I ever shared. A big bowl of pasta with that sauce, a sprinkle of parmesan and Homemade Garlic Herb Bread. That is comfort, maybe until now!
I didn’t actually try a stuffed shell dish until a few years back, but I was instantly sold, it’s the perfect bite. Pasta, with an incredible filling and then of course a sauce and cheese. What’s not to like? Combining the curry casserole and shells, makes so much sense. The curry is mild, but flavours the sauce and compliments the chicken and broccoli so well. Top it all with extra sauce and lots of cheddar and you’ve got the perfect meal.
How to make Curry Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Shells
This is a great meal for a family dinner. I like to make it the day before to save the prep time. It’s not a complicated meal by any means but it does take a bit of time. I always use a rotisserie chicken. One trick I’ve found, that makes meal prep easier, is to buy a couple chickens, shred the meat and divide it into bags and freeze it. This way you’ll always have shredded chicken on hand.
So, to make these stuffed shells, you’ll want to start by cooking the noodles according to the package directions. Drain and rinse the shells under cold water to stop any further cooking and set these aside. To make the curry sauce mix the soup, mayo, lemon juice and spices and set this aside, too.
Chop your chicken and broccoli pretty small. You want it small enough to get a bit of everything in each shell. Stir in a cup of the curry mixture and then spoon a heaping tablespoon into each shell. The easiest way to do this is to pinch both ends of a shell to open it up. Place the spoonful into the shell and roll the back of the spoon up against one edge of the noodle, while the other side folds over the filling keeping it in place.
Spread a bit of the curry mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish, add in the stuffed shells and top with the remaining curry sauce, and load it up with grated cheddar cheese. Bake it all for about 30 minutes or until it’s hot and the cheese has melted.
With this dish, you’re armed and ready for a delicious weeknight meal. One that’s homey and comforting and loved by all. A tasty classic casserole that’s updated into the perfect bite. This one is a favourite in our home and I hope after giving it a try, it’s a winner in yours too!
If you love Curry Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Shells, check out these other delicious recipes, I’m sure they’ll hit the spot:
- Country Herbed Meat Loaf
- Mozzarella Stuffed Italian Chicken Meatballs
- Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl with Wonton Crisps
If you get a chance to make this or any other recipe on the blog and want to share. Please feel free to tag @candyjarchronicles or use #candyjarchronicles on Instagram, so I can see your post. I’d love to see what you’re cooking in your kitchen!
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Curry Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed Shells
Curry Chicken and Broccoli Stuffed shells is a delicious, easy weeknight casserole. Comfort food at its finest, this recipe comes together easily and is a favourite in our home.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped small (I use a rotisserie chicken)
- 2 cups broccoli
- 6 oz jumbo shells
- 2 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp curry powder
- salt & pepper, to taste
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
INSTRUCTIONS
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Cook the shells in a large pot of water according to the package directions. Rinse in cold water and set aside.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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In a separate bowl mix together cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice and curry powder until fully combined.
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Steam broccoli until cooked, chop small, and mix with chopped chicken and one cup of curry sauce.
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Layer a half a cup of the curry sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Stuff shells with a heaping tablespoon of chicken and broccoli mixture and set into pan. Top with remaining sauce and grated cheese.
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Bake for 30 minutes.
RECIPE NOTES
Adapted from C. Radbourne’s Chicken Divan Recipe and found in the Radbourne Family Cookbook.