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!!!
Nutrition
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
Sweepstakes Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
- Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
- Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
- For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 8/27 - 10/26. Be sure to visit the Tyson Fresh Chicken brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts! * Minimally processed. No artificial ingredients. **Federal regulations prohibit the use of added hormones or steroids in chicken.
Anne says
Chicken is indeed the most-often served meat in our house. It's affordable and delicious, with so many different ways to prepare it that it doesn't get boring. My favorite way to use chicken is to start with a roast, then use the leftovers for meals like shredded-chicken burritos.
Your Chicken Casserole Nests are cute and clever, and I've pinned it for future reference. Thanks!
Denise Browning says
Hi, Anne! Thank you very much for both stopping by and sharing it.
Leftovers are great to prepare many dishes indeed. I also love to use mine. Have a great day!!!
Ashley H says
We love chicken parm.
Valentina Dimitrova says
Me too, Ashley!!!!
One Frugal Girl says
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/512710871705853956
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you for sharing it!
One Frugal Girl says
We eat chicken a lot at my house! I love a chicken fajita recipe I gathered from the food network years ago!
Valentina Dimitrova says
We also eat a lot of chicken fajitas.
Kathy says
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/509764433363886080
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you!
Kathy says
Right now it is just grilled chicken on the gas grill
Valentina Dimitrova says
A great, healthy chicken dish though!!!
D Schmidt says
Tweeted for a second entry https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/509510590771896320
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you for sharing it and letting me know as well, D.
D Schmidt says
Our favorite is definitely sweet and sour chicken stir fry!
Valentina Dimitrova says
My hubby enjoy it a lot too. Thanks for stopping by!
nicole says
Posted to twitter page here -
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you so much for sharing it on Twitter and let me know. Good luck!!!
nicole says
Yes we make a lot of chicken dishes in our house, our family’s favorite chicken dish though is BBQ chicken on the grill.
Valentina Dimitrova says
It sounds so delish, Nicole!!!! Thanks a lot for stopping by.
Raymund says
Nice and simple Denise, good recipe for a busy weekend
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you, Raymund!!!! It is for both a busy week and weekend -- or just to eat something healthy and delicious yet easy.
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.
Valentina Dimitrova 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. 🙂
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!
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thanks... I agree with you, Francesca!
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!
Valentina Dimitrova 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
Natalie says
I tweeted with twitter id @yarbr012 : https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/505520292048158720.
Valentina Dimitrova says
Thank you so much, Natalie!!! Good luck!