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How to Make Delicious Chicken Broccoli Ziti From Scratch

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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 boiling, add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until 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

Add the steamed broccoli and drained artichoke hearts 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. Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix well to coat evenly. 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

  • Cook the pasta properly so it holds up in the sauce without getting mushy

  • Use high quality ingredients like fresh garlic, real Parmesan, and heavy cream.

  • Don’t overcook the chicken or broccoli – you want both to be tender but not mushy.

  • Make sure the sauce has enough seasoning. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or bouillon as needed.

  • Let it bake until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling throughout.

  • 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:

  • Use rotini or penne instead of ziti pasta.

  • Add sauteed mushrooms, spinach, or sun dried tomatoes.

  • Stir in cooked Italian sausage or prosciutto.

  • Use Alfredo sauce instead of cream sauce.

  • Top with seasoned breadcrumbs or panko before baking.

  • Make it spicy with red pepper flakes or cajun seasoning.

  • 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:

  • Let cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container.

  • Fridge life is 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

  • Reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of milk or broth.

  • For the best texture, reheat entire dish in a 300°F oven until warmed through.

  • Add a little extra cheese on top before reheating to help revive it.

  • 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.

how to make chicken broccoli ziti

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how to make chicken broccoli ziti

how to make chicken broccoli ziti

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how to make chicken broccoli ziti

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?

If you love rich, flavorful meals that are easy to prepare, this Chicken Broccoli Ziti is about to become a favorite in your kitchen. 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. In the mean while blanch your broccoli and cook ziti according to directions and set aside (don not rinse ziti). 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. Make a tincture of 1 tablespoon cold water and 1 tablespoon corn starch and stir it into the sauce. 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.

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