Firstly, get your oven hot (375°F or 190°C). Cook manicotti pasta in boiling, salted water until it's firm but not hard, usually 8-10 minutes. Once done, drain and let it cool off.

Next, let's make the filling. Take a large bowl and combine shredded chicken, ricotta, half a cup of mozzarella, a quarter cup of Parmesan, pesto sauce, an egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix it all up nicely!

Now, it's time to stuff the shells with your tasty mixture. Use whatever tool serves you best, a spoon, or maybe even a piping bag. Getting our dish ready is the next step. Place a nice layer of marinara sauce (about one cup) in a greased baking dish. Nestle the stuffed manicotti shells snugly on top of it.

Moving on, drench the stuffed manicotti with another cup of marinara sauce, then generously shower the remaining cheeses on top.

Time to bake! Hide your dish under aluminium foil and let it bake for 25 minutes.

After that, get rid of the foil and let it bake for ten more minutes. Watch for that cheese to bubble and melt! Lastly, take your manicotti out of the oven and allow it to just chill for a bit. Dot some fresh basil leaves on before you serve it. Enjoy!