Chicken Spinach Cannelloni Pie Recipes

CHICKEN CANNELLONI (WITH OR WITHOUT SPINACH)

Steps:

• In a large skillet, simmer the chicken breasts, onion, broth, wine, and thyme, until chicken is done.
• Remove the chicken breasts to a plate and allow them to cool slightly.
• While the chicken breasts are cooling, strain the chicken broth to remove the onions and thyme.
• Reserve the broth into a large saucepan.
• Put the onions and thyme into your food processor.
• Chop or tear the chicken into big chunks, and put into food processor with the onions and thyme.
• Pulse the chicken in the food processor until finely chopped (you may need to divide the chicken into 2 batches).
• (I've also used my old, heavy meat grinder for this).
• Prepare spinach, if using. Wash well, chop, and lightly sauté in a saucepan with 2 tbs olive oil until done to your preference. I personally don't like "mushy" spinach. You may also substitute frozen chopped spinach, but be sure to squeeze it out really well.
• In a large bowl, mix the chicken/onion mixture with the ricotta and cottage cheese, spinach, 1/2 c parmesan, nutmeg, and white pepper.
• Mix thoroughly; set aside.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter.
• Whisk in flour, stirring constantly so it doesn't burn.
• Whisk in the reserved chicken broth, stirring constantly.
• Add the wine, and then the milk, stirring constantly, until sauce is velvety-smooth.
• Simmer, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes, while you start to assemble the canneloni.
• Assemble the canneloni: Lay 4-5 egg roll wraps out on the counter.
• Place approx 1/2 to 1 cup of chicken/cheese filling on center of wrap, and roll up, setting aside.
• Repeat until you're done.
• When sauce is done simmering, pour approx 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.
• Tilt, to make sure it's spread evenly.
• Arrange canneloni in dish, and top with remaining sauce.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup parmesan.
• Cover with foil, and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.
• During last 10 minutes, take the foil off so that the parmesan browns.
• Allow to sit for about 10 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN SPINACH CANNELLONI PIE

Steps:

• Make the tomato sauce: in a 4 quart saucepan, heat the oil; saute onion for 3 minutes.
• Add in tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar, and basil; simmer the sauce, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
• Stir in parsley and cook for an additional 10 minutes; taste for seasoning, and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
• The sauce may be refrigerated for 2 days, or frozen for 2 months.
• Make the Parmesan Garlic Sauce: in a 3 quart saucepan, melt the butter, add the garlic, and saute for 1 minute to soften the garlic.
• Add in the flour and whisk until smooth; allow the flour to bubble, then add the milk slowly, whisking until the sauce is smooth and thick.
• Add in the salt, Tabasco, nutmeg, and cheese; whisk until the cheese is melted; taste and adjust seasonings, if needed.
• Refrigerate the sauce until ready to finish the pie.
• Make the Pie: in a big bowl, combine the spinach, chicken, and parsley.
• In another bowl, beat together the eggs, ricotta, ½ cup Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
• Add the chicken/spinach to the bowl; stir to combine; refrigerate for up to 8 hours before assembling the cannelloni.
• Preheat oven to 350°; spray a 13 x 9 inch ovenproof baking dish with cooking spray.
• Spoon ½ cup tomato sauce into the bottom of the baking dish; cover the sauce with lasagna noodle/s.
• Spread half of the cannelloni filling over the noodles.
• Cover with another layer of noodles; spread half of the Parmesan garlic sauce over the noodles, and stripe the white sauce with ½ cup of the tomato sauce.
• Cover with the remaining cannelloni filling; top with the remaining lasagna noodles.
• Cover with the remaining Parmesan sauce, and top with the remaining tomato sauce.
• Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese, and bake the pie for 45 minutes, until the cheese is golden and the pie is bubbling.
• Let the pie rest for 10 minutes before serving.