This is a baked casserole made from pasta nests (no precooking required) filled with a mixture of two cheeses, peas, and chicken, layered on a pool of tomato sauce. Oh, this was a big-time hit! The last of our Chicken Casserole Nests had barely been served when my little ones were already asking me to make it again. I am a happy Mom... After all, it is not every day that such approval comes this quickly. To prepare these Chicken Casserole Nests and other chicken dishes (e.g. Chicken Stroganoff, Grilled Chicken Legs Wrapped in Bacon, Grandma's Chicken Soup, and Brazilian Saffron Rice with Chicken, among others), I trust and use Tyson® Fresh Chicken. Why? 
Tyson Fresh Chicken is all natural* -- with no added hormones or steroids** -- and arrives at local stores fresh because it is delivered within days from leaving the farm. Tyson Fresh Chicken also makes my life easier since its Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Tenderloins, and Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs are all hand-trimmed. I also enjoy their helpful tools and resources to make meal planning easy for me and my family. For this reason, I browse Tyson Fresh Chicken's family-friendly recipes HERE. It is totally handy! As you can see, how could I help but trust Tyson Foods -- a company that is wholesome and family-friendly? It's made up of real people like you and me – moms, dads, wives, husbands, neighbors, and friends. For over 75 years, Tyson has been bringing families together. Every day they strive to make food that they can feel good about serving to their own families. In this way, consumers can feel good about serving it to theirs. What do you think? Enjoy this ultimate family favorite -- Chicken Casserole Nests -- and many other chicken dishes of mine and from Tyson!!! 
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Is chicken the most commonly served meat at your household? What’s your family’s favorite chicken dish? Leave a comment with your answer below and you'll be entered for a chance to win a fun gift basket with kitchen gadgets and goodies.
Chicken Casserole Nests
Ingredients
- For the sauce:
- 5 cups of your favorite store-bought tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ cup white wine optional
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves or 1-2 teaspoons of dried
- For the pasta nests:
- 8 fettuccine nests uncooked (pick the nests that have a wider opening in the center)
- ½ cup part skim ricotta cheese
- ½ cup shredded reduced-fat provolone or mild cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup frozen peas
- ½ pound Tyson Trimmed and Ready Chicken Breast Tenderloin 8 ounces
- 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Grated Parmesan cheese to sprinkle optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (about 180 degrees C).
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium stainless steel saucepan, mix together all ingredients until combined and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Pour into a large Pyrex or casserole dish, and set aside.
- For the pasta nests: Arrange uncooked pasta nests on top of the hot tomato sauce, keeping each a bit of a distance from the others. Using a spoon, ladle some of the hot tomato sauce over each nest to moisten. In a medium bowl, mix together the cheeses and peas, and set aside.
- Pat dry the chicken with paper towels and cut into small pieces. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a medium non-stick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the chicken (about 2-3 minutes). Mix into the cheese-pea mixture. Spoon cheese-chicken mixture into the raw pasta nests. Cover baking dish tightly with aluminum foil (If necessary, grease the interior of the sheet with non-stick cooking spray in order to avoid the cheeses sticking to the foil). Bake for about 40-45 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta nests if desired. Serve chicken casserole nests hot (2 nests per person). A fresh salad or steamed vegetables, if desired, can accompany chicken casserole nests. Enjoy our chicken casserole nests!!!
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Little Cooking Tips says
Loved the fact that you only used the moisture from the sauce to cook the pasta. Easy, simple, delicious dish! Perfect work Denise.
Loved your photos as well!
xo
Panos and Mirella
Denise Browning says
Thanks to both of you! This is a real simple dish that pleases both adult and children. The best part is pasta doesn't have to be precooked.
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Who doesn't like pasta? Or chicken? Love the idea of the little nests -- cute dish! And this looks really flavorful too. Good stuff -- thanks.
Denise Browning says
Hey, John! I am so glad that you enjoyed this dish. Pasta and chicken is kind of universal. I think many people would enjoy it...
Lail | With A Spin says
Chicken is served most in my family too. Love this chicken casserole nests. Cute and refreshing flavors. Great job, mama!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Lail! My family was quite happy to have this for lunch/dinner!!!
Juliana says
Oh Denise, these chicken nest using pasta are so cute...and they sure look delicious!
Thanks for the inspiration dear...hope you are having a fabulous week 😀
Denise Browning says
Enjoy it, my dear... Likewise. Take care!!!
Liz says
What a delicious chicken casserole! I love the noodle nests, too...such a fun idea!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Liz!!!!
My children thought these nests were cute too. This was one of my ways to make them eat tomato sauce with pasta -- which they usually don't. Chicken is something that they really enjoy a lot!
heather says
My favorite chicken recipe is shake and bake the garlic parm one. I know it's nothing fancy but it is good and quick.
Denise Browning says
Your dish sounds wonderful, Heather!
As a Mom, I struggle to serve meals to my family. There are those dishes that are part of our table more often... They are quite handy and my family really enjoy them. There are others which are great to make because they help us diversify the menu. This is one of those dishes!!
My family enjoyed this so much that I already intend to make it again - and maybe again! 🙂
Thanks a lot for stopping by. Have an awesome day!
SallyBR says
Love the use of uncooked nests... brilliant, my friend... brilliant!
looks so good, this would be awesome for a dinner party even!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Sally! My family ( both adults and children) approved this dish. Unanimity doesn't happen often. 🙂 Enjoy!!!
Kathleen says
Love this idea! I'm always looking for creative new ways to use chicken in a recipe. You nailed it!
Denise Browning says
Hi, Kathleen! Thank you... I think pasta and chicken are universal and available everywhere. This is a dish that I can prepare quickly (the pasta don't need to be precooked) because the oven do most of the work. It is something that a busy Mom would cook easily and children would enjoy it a lot.
Andrea de Oliveira says
We love chicken as well!! It's so versatile and usually inexpensive. I will have to try this recipe soon!! Thanks for Sharing 🙂
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Andrea, for stopping by. This is a simple dish yet tasty... and most children love this! It is basically chicken and pasta.
Deb says
An easy to prepare dinner with lots of flavor makes the week so much smoother! The pasta nests are just too adorable and look so much better than a scoop of casserole!
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Deb! It is not an usual casserole yet hearty. I hope many have the chance to try it.
Immaculate says
My family's favorite chicken is crispy baked chicken - We all love crispy chicken skin. I love the idea of a nest -Makes for individualized portions.
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Immaculate! I would love to try your crispy baked chicken.
Gloria R. says
To be honest, I have many favorite chicken dishes but I guess to narrow it down, I have to pick two. One is Chicken with Fresh Herbs and Creamy Lemon Sauce. The other is A Sweet and Sour Chicken with Pineapple and Peppers. They are different enough to satisfy the hungriest family. 🙂
Denise Browning says
Thanks a lot, Gloria!!!! The chicken with creamy lemon sauce made my mouth water...
marcela says
oh! this look so insane! I love chicken! I have to try it out!
Denise Browning says
I hope you do, Marcela!!! You won't regret it...
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Not only does that sound delicious, it's beautful to look at!
Denise Browning says
Maureen: Thank you!
Natalie says
We serve chicken all the time and my favorite chicken dish is cracker crusted baked chicken with rice.
Denise Browning says
Natalie: I have to try to crust my chicken with crackers next time. I have never tried it!!!
Natalie says
I tweeted with twitter id @yarbr012 : https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/505520292048158720.
Denise Browning says
Thank you so much, Natalie!!! Good luck!
Sugar et al. says
Such an amazing idea with chicken and pasta. Kids will love this. Chicken is the main meat in our family too. I mostly make curries with it but I will be making your dish soon. It sounds so delicious!
Denise Browning says
Sonali: Thanks a lot! I am crazy for curries. I ate one yesterday. If you try this recipe, you won't regret it. xx
Francesca says
Chicken is definitely the main meat around here. Sounds pretty un-unique, but its just so cheap + versatile, we see it several times a week here. And pasttttaaa.
Clever mix here! Looks delicious!
Denise Browning says
Thanks... I agree with you, Francesca!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
I love this meal idea! And the fact that the pasta is not pre-cooked. I just started an Easy Weeknight Meal board on Pinterest ... pinned! Thanks for sharing and glad to know that Tyson is hormone free. I assumed that not to be the case.
Denise Browning says
Hi, Lea Ann! Thanks for stopping by.
Federal regulations prohibit the use of added hormones or steroids in chicken.
Thanks for sharing this dish on your board!!! I do appreciate it and I hope you try this at home. 🙂
Raymund says
Nice and simple Denise, good recipe for a busy weekend
Denise Browning says
Thank you, Raymund!!!! It is for both a busy week and weekend -- or just to eat something healthy and delicious yet easy.