Chicken broccoli ziti is an easy dinner where everything cooks together in one skillet. A creamy Alfredo sauce is simmered with pasta, chunks of tender chicken and broccoli. This kid friendly dinner is ready for your busy weeknights!
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Chicken Broccoli Ziti
I love one pan recipes they make cleanup a cinch. This dinner recipe here checks all the marks, creamy pasta, chicken, 30 minutes and very versatile. I love that I can easily adjust it based on what I have on hand.
I definitely consider this a healthy recipe I feel good about serving, and the best part is that my entire family devours it. Even my pickiest eaters love the tender bites of chicken, the veggies, and the pasta all coated in that creamy Alfredo sauce they can't get enough of. It's a total win in our house.
Pro Tip
The sauce will look thin initially, but the more it sets, the more it thickens.
Chicken Broccoli Ziti
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into ½ inch cubes
- ¾ teaspoon salt or to your liking
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 large garlic clove minced
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1½ cup boiling water
- 1 cup mil
- 6 oz ziti pasta dry
- 1 jar Alfredo sauce 16 oz
- 2 cups frozen broccoli florets about 6 oz
- Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine chicken with salt, black pepper, oregano and garlic.
- In a large skillet or dutch oven on high heat, add butter and oil.
- When butter melts add chicken pieces and cook stirring occasionally until no longer pink.
- Pour in boiling water, milk and stir in dry pasta. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to medium.
- Continue to cook for another 7 minutes.
- Uncover and stir in Alfredo sauce and broccoli, taste to adjust seasoning.
- Continue to cook for another 3 minutes or until everything is smooth and cooked to your perfections.
- Serve garnished with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
- The sauce will look thin at the beginning but the more it sets the more it thickens.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
How to make Chicken Broccoli Ziti
This casserole is made with simple ingredients. The main protein here is chicken breasts but you can use any cut you like. I used fresh broccoli, but frozen works as well.
ou can use frozen peas, artichoke hearts or red peppers instead of broccoli. It is a great recipe to clean up your crisper drawer or to use up any leftover frozen vegetables you have.
In a medium bowl, combine chicken with salt, black pepper, oregano, and garlic.
In a large skillet or large pan on high heat, add butter and oil, then add chicken pieces and cook, stirring until no longer pink.
Pour in boiling water and milk and stir in dry pasta. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to medium heat, and cook for 7 minutes.
Uncover and stir in Alfredo sauce and broccoli, taste to adjust seasonings, then cook for an additional 3 minutes. Serve garnished with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
FAQs
You can use any kind of sauce you prefer, but Alfredo sauce is a creamy parmesan cheese sauce that goes perfect with broccoli, chicken and pasta. Homemade Alfredo makes it taste even better, try this recipe for an easy Alfredo sauce without heavy cream.
Strips of sweet bell pepper, pea, sliced mushrooms or even halved cherry tomatoes can be tossed into this delicious chicken broccoli pasta dish.
You can use chicken stock instead of water for additional flavor. To save even more time, skip cooking the chicken and use leftover shredded rotisserie chicken. For a lighter version, you can use part milk and part chicken broth for the sauce.
Refrigerate leftover chicken broccoli ziti in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat - Place in a skillet with a splash of milk/ broth or even water and reheat on medium-low until thoroughly heated.
Place leftovers in a freezer-safe container and freeze up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
Chicken broccoli pasta is already a cozy, filling main dish, so sides should be light and complementary. Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks are both classics with pasta casseroles. Simple Fattoush with lemon vinaigrette to cut the richness.
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Anita L
This was the best chicken broccoli dinner ever. Not heavy and well seasoned. I also added some cooked mushroom I had from before. Thanks.
MA
Why did you cross off Alfredo sauce?
Amira
It is not crossed off MA, it is a link to make your own alfredo sauce.