Experienced cooks will raise their eyebrows when they see how this HEALTHY Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is made. But don’t judge until you try it – it works!!! Made from scratch, not a drop of cream, this is a complete meal that takes 5 minutes to prep, made in ONE baking dish and it’s absolutely delish. {350 cal per serving!}.
Chicken broccoli ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food that the whole family will love. This cheesy pasta bake combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and ziti pasta all coated in a creamy, irresistible sauce. Making this recipe from scratch results in a dish that tastes so much better than anything you can buy pre-made. Read on to learn all my tips and tricks for making perfect chicken broccoli ziti right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make chicken broccoli ziti. you’ll need
- 1 pound dry ziti pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 1 10.75 ounce can chicken broth
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 large heads broccoli, chopped
- 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained
- 6 breaded chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook the Pasta
First up is cooking the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once it’s boiling, add the ziti pasta and cook it according to the directions on the package until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sauté the Garlic
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Make the Sauce
Pour in the heavy cream, chicken broth, bouillon cube, Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer, then add the cornstarch and whisk until thickened to your desired consistency.
Cook the Vegetables
While the sauce simmers, steam the broccoli florets until bright green and tender-crisp Drain and set aside
Finish the Dish
Steam the broccoli and drain the artichoke hearts. Then, add them to the sauce. Let cook for 2-3 minutes more. Turn off heat.
Bake
Transfer the cooked ziti pasta to a 9×13 baking dish. Add the sauce to the pasta and toss it around to coat it all. Top with the chopped cooked chicken breasts.
Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese over the top if desired.
Tips for Success
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Cook the pasta properly so it holds up in the sauce without getting mushy
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Use high quality ingredients like fresh garlic, real Parmesan, and heavy cream.
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Don’t overcook the chicken or broccoli – you want both to be tender but not mushy.
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Make sure the sauce has enough seasoning. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or bouillon as needed.
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Let it bake until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling throughout.
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Garnish with extra cheese for a delicious finishing touch.
Variations to Try
There are so many ways to customize chicken broccoli ziti to suit your tastes:
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Use rotini or penne instead of ziti pasta.
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Add sauteed mushrooms, spinach, or sun dried tomatoes.
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Stir in cooked Italian sausage or prosciutto.
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Use Alfredo sauce instead of cream sauce.
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Top with seasoned breadcrumbs or panko before baking.
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Make it spicy with red pepper flakes or cajun seasoning.
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Go meatless by using chickpeas instead of chicken.
Tips for Storing and Reheating
Chicken broccoli ziti holds up nicely for meal prepping and leftovers. Here are some storage tips:
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Let cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container.
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Fridge life is 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
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Reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of milk or broth.
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For the best texture, reheat entire dish in a 300°F oven until warmed through.
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Add a little extra cheese on top before reheating to help revive it.
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Stir while reheating to evenly distribute sauce on pasta.
From the classic ingredients to the easy one-pot preparation, chicken broccoli ziti has weeknight dinner written all over it. Just a handful of simple ingredients turns into such a satisfying, family-friendly meal. I hope these tips help you make the perfect chicken broccoli ziti at home. Adjust the flavors to your family’s tastes and enjoy this cheesy pasta bake all season long.
More big, juicy pasta bakes
Watch how to make it
Ultra Lazy HEALTHY Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake recipe video!
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Quick and Easy Chicken Broccoli Ziti Recipe
FAQ
How long does it take to cook chicken broccoli Ziti?
This chicken broccoli ziti is a delicious weeknight dinner. Ready in 30 minutes and packed with delicious white wine and Parmesan sauce flavor. Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we’ll send the recipe straight to your inbox!.
What is chicken broccoli Ziti?
This Chicken Broccoli Ziti is going to become a favourite in your kitchen if you like hearty, tasty meals that are easy to make. Imagine tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and perfectly cooked ziti, all coated in a luscious garlic parmesan sauce. It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner—simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
How to cook Broccoli and ziti?
In a large skillet melt butter over high heat. While that is going on, blanch your broccoli and cook your ziti according to the package directions. Once they are done, set them aside without rinsing them. Add chicken pieces to skillet and saute approximately 4 minutes. Toss in minced garlic and sautéed 2 more minutes. Add white cooking wine and reduce by half.
Can I make chicken broccoli Ziti from frozen?
Yes! If fresh broccoli isn’t available, frozen broccoli works just fine. Be sure to blanch it before adding it to the dish to keep it tender-crisp. Frozen broccoli also saves time, making this recipe even quicker to prepare! 2. Can I make Chicken Broccoli Ziti ahead of time? Absolutely! You can make the dish a day ahead of time.
How do you thicken chicken broccoli Ziti?
Corn starch can be used to thicken the sauce if you don’t have flour. It works very similarly. Mix together 1 tablespoon of cold water and 1 tablespoon of corn starch to make a tincture. Then, add it to the sauce and mix it in. If you don’t have enough chicken broth, you can also supplement it with white wine. It adds fantastic flavor. How do you reheat chicken broccoli ziti?.
How do you cook chicken ziti in a crock pot?
Stir the chicken broth and milk into the skillet and bring them to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for seven to eight minutes or until the ziti is tender. During the last five minutes of cooking, add the broccoli and red peppers to the skillet. Lastly, return the chicken to the skillet and heat through. Finish by sprinkling the pasta with cheese.