Chicken-and-Spinach Manicotti

Prep Time: 0 Minutes

Cook Time: 0 Minutes

Ready In: 0 Minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 large garlic clove, minced

2 1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken

3/4 cup finely chopped smoked ham (about 1/4 pound)

1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 large egg whites

1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry

3 cups chicken stock

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk

1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh parmesan cheese

12 cooked manicotti

cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. To prepare filling, heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Combine onion mixture, chicken, and next 7 ingredients (chicken through spinach) in a medium bowl.
3. To prepare sauce, combine Chicken Stock and the next 4 ingredients (stock through ground red pepper) in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour in a small bowl; gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Add to pan; bring to a boil. Cook 2 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly with a whisk. Stir 1 cup sauce into chicken mixture in bowl. Add 1/2 cup cheese to sauce in pan, stirring well until mixture is smooth.
4. Spoon chicken mixture into cooked manicotti (about 1/3 cup per manicotti). Arrange stuffed manicotti in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour cheese sauce over manicotti. Bake at 375° for 45 minutes or until browned and bubbly.

By RecipeOfHealth.com