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Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Pasta

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AKA “Shotgun Shells” – these super viral appetizers are highly addictive. They are stuffed manicotti with meat and cheese, wrapped in bacon then smoked. Be sure to try these Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Pasta right away!

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tbsp Sweet Preacher Rub
  • 2 tbsp Rodeo Ranch
  • 1 lb regular sliced bacon 
  • 12 manicotti 
  • 1 block cream cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs 
  • 8 oz Buffalo sauce 
  • 2 tbsp chives

Instructions

  1. Season 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs then grill them at 375 F until an internal temp of 165F. You can also use a rotisserie chicken if you are short on time
  2. In a bowl, combine and mix: 1 block softened cream cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 lbs chopped chicken, 1 tbsp chives and 2 tbsp of buffalo sauce.
  3. Place mixture in a piping bag and stuff the inside of each manicotti noodle.
  4. Tightly wrap the stuffed manicotti with a slice of bacon then season the bacon with Sweet Preacher rub.
  5. Put the stuffed and wrapped shells in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours – preferably 6 hours. The longer you are able to wait, the more softened your inner noodle will be. 
  6. Place the shells on a wire rack then smoke them at 250F for 90 minutes using cherry wood.
  7. At the 75 minute mark, your bacon is almost fully cooked and the inner manicotti shell will begin to soften. Baste each shell with buffalo sauce on all sides. 
  8. 15 minutes later, remove them from the smoker 
  9. Serve them on a dish and drizzle ranch or blue cheese over the shotgun shells and garnish with green onions.
  • Author: Nick Nesgoda
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 90