Shells with Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella

Rating: 3.35 stars
65 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 15
  • 4 star values: 14
  • 3 star values: 21
  • 2 star values: 9
  • 1 star values: 6

Bowls of Caprese-style chicken pasta -- with tomatoes, cheese, and herbs -- answer the question of what to have for dinner tonight. You need only 30 minutes, start to finish.

Everyday Food, July/August 2007

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Recipe Summary test

prep:
15 mins
total:
30 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for pasta. Meanwhile, heat grill to medium; lightly oil grates. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from grill, and cut into thin strips, halving if long.

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  • Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain pasta, and return to pot. Add chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, parsley, Parmesan, and butter. Toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a sauce that coats shells (you may not need all the water). Serve with more Parmesan.

Cook's Notes

If you like, grill the chicken up to 2 days beforehand. Then let it cool, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate. Bring chicken to room temperature before adding to pasta.

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Reviews (20)

65 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 15
  • 4 star values: 14
  • 3 star values: 21
  • 2 star values: 9
  • 1 star values: 6
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
03/02/2013
Followed the other reviewers idea to freeze the cheese cubes and it worked fine. Instead of grilling chicken, I just used about 2 cups of cooked chicken and subbed the tomatoes for 1/2 cup of sundried tomatoes. Excellent meal, quick and easy without being too boring. I might just use shredded cheese next time as melted globs of cheese don't look that appiteizing in this dish. Added some dried basil as well for flavor.
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
05/20/2012
SIMPLY LOOOOOOOVED THIS RECIPE AND SO DID THE PICKY BOYFRIEND !!! I MADE A FEW CHANGES THOUGH, I ADDED FRESH SPINACH I FRIED UP WITH A LITTLE BUTTER, AND FRESH GARLIC. I ALSO SUBSTITUTED BOW TIE NOODLES AND USED CANNED, DICED TOMATOES INSTEAD AND ADDED THE JUICE FROM THEM INSTEAD OF THE PASTA WATER. ;D
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
06/29/2011
we love, love, love this recipe! I have been making it ever since they published it, and I adore it! I make a few changes: double the fresh mozz. and parmesan, and substitute fresh basil for the parsley (add extra!). Definitely a winner and the kids love it too...
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Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
09/17/2010
I like to read the modifications others make because it often improves the recipe or at least adjusts it to the cooks taste. It can turn an OK recipe into a forever favorite! Having said that, I found a similar recipe on this site that did not have chicken in it so it was a nice light vegetarian dish. It called for olive oil instead of butter. I tweaked this recipe by adding sundried tomatoes, feta and fresh herbs. It was awesome. Tweaking is half the fun of cooking!
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
09/15/2010
Loving a recipe equals not changing the recipe. If you have to make too many changes, the recipe is not that great.
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
09/13/2010
Love this recipe, it's a family favorite! I have made it a dozen times and have tweaked it to perfection. I use fresh basil instead of parsley, a store bought rotisserie chicken to save time. I add half the mozzarella so that is melts into the shells, and then the the rest about 30 minutes later to have some whole pieces.I add the tomatoes last to prevent them from cooking and becoming mushy, and I add twice the amount of grated parmesan to help bind everything and add a little more saltyness to
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Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
05/17/2010
Awful. Followed the recipe exactly as written. The mozzarella clumped and the whole dish was bland. Would not recommend.
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
04/17/2010
Had this tonight. Pretty good. Not a favorite but descent for needing something new to try! I'm not a big fan of grape tomatoes so I added diced tomatoes (italian style) and i just had shredded mozz cheese. I took the advise of adding olive oil instead of butter as well.
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
10/14/2009
This was super easy and fast, but I'm not too crazy about luke warm meals. I go either hot or chilled. If you warm this too much the mozz melts. I'd like this best served chilled, I think- perhaps as a side. Also better with fresh basil and oregano in addition to the parsley. Olive oil instead of butter and I even threw a little lemon in.
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
12/30/2008
this was pretty tasty. i think you could probably add different vegetables and more cheese is not a bad idea. i would make it again since it was fairly easy.
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
10/16/2008
I made this last night except I added more parmesan and it was a hit. If you season the chicken while grilling (marinate, etc) that helps prevent the blandess. It does not say to keep the heat under the pot. It just says drain the pasta and return to pot with remaining ingredients and toss. You can put a little heat (very low) under it though (to serve it warmer) and the mozzarella will not clump. I agree...be careful adding the water. You do not need much
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
08/22/2008
Pretty good - we used a grilled rotisserie chicken to add more flavor. We weren't a fan of the parsley, though, and ended up swapping basil for it. Didn't add back in the water, but tossed in some olive oil. Basic, but filling!
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
08/14/2008
oops i meant add the water slowly
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
08/14/2008
Careful not to add the water slowly. I used the entire cup and it was too watery. Per other reviews i added mozz. last (and froz cubes first) and it did not clump. I used basil rather than parsley. I thought it was a bit bland and won't make again. But good for a quick dinner. Used whole wheat pasta shells and just one pound chicken.
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
08/06/2008
I have made this several times and love it. It will be fine if you add the mozzarella last, a little bit at a time.
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
08/06/2008
I made this last night, following the suggestion of freezing the mozzarella cubes - it worked great, no clumping at all. I also substituted fresh cilantro for parsley - my boyfriend thought it was kind of weird but still ate 3 helpings so it must not have been too bad!
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
06/29/2008
why not just toss it without the mozzarella. Let it get room temp. add mozzarella and chill and serve as a cold pasta salad?
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
06/25/2008
I wish I had read the comments before making this recipe! My mozzarella also turned into a GIANT clump and as I tried to spread it out, the tomatoes cooked...yuck!
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
05/20/2008
I saw a similar recipe on America's Test Kitchen. They cubed the mozzarella and froze it for about 15 minutes before adding it to the pasta to keep the cubes separate.
Anonymous
Rating: Unrated
04/27/2008
Does anyone have advice about making the mozarella remain separate? My mozarella melted together in a giant clump!
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