So, you need a dinner idea that isn’t boring and won’t take up your whole night. I get it. You want something that tastes like a hug in a bowl, but you don’t have time for a million complicated steps.
This Chicken Broccoli Ziti is that meal. It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, and it’s packed with good stuff. It’s the kind of food that makes everyone at the table happy.
Seriously, this recipe is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. Let’s get you fed and feeling good.
What You’ll Need
Here’s the simple shopping list. Nothing too weird or hard to find, I promise.
| Category | Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pasta | Ziti (or Penne) | 1 pound (16 oz) |
| Protein | Boneless Chicken Breast | 1.5 pounds |
| Veggies | Broccoli Florets | 4 cups |
| Yellow Onion | 1, chopped | |
| Garlic | 4 cloves, minced | |
| Sauce | Heavy Cream | 1.5 cups |
| Chicken Broth | 1 cup | |
| Grated Parmesan Cheese | 1 cup | |
| Basics | Olive Oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt & Black Pepper | To taste | |
| Red Pepper Flakes (optional) | 1/2 teaspoon |
Tools for the Job
You probably have all this stuff already. No fancy gadgets needed.
- Large Pot (for pasta)
- Large Skillet or Pan
- Colander
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
How to Make It: Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s cook. Follow these steps and you can’t mess it up.
Step 1: Get your pasta water boiling in a big pot. Add a good amount of salt to the water. Once it’s boiling, dump in the ziti and cook it according to the box directions, but for 1 minute less time.
Step 2: Before you drain the pasta, scoop out about one cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. This stuff is like liquid gold for your sauce later. Then, drain the pasta.
Step 3: While the pasta cooks, chop your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season them well with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in your big skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook it until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Don’t move it around too much at first. Let it get a nice color. Then, take it out of the pan and set it on a plate.
Step 5: Add the other tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Toss in your chopped onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes until it gets soft. Then add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them) and cook for just one more minute until you can smell it.
Step 6: Add the broccoli florets and the chicken broth to the skillet. Bring it to a simmer and let the broccoli cook for about 4-5 minutes until it’s bright green and a little tender.
Step 7: Turn the heat down to low. Pour in the heavy cream and slowly stir in the Parmesan cheese until it’s all melted and the sauce is smooth.
Step 8: Add the cooked chicken and the drained pasta back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir everything together until it’s all coated and happy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of that pasta water you saved until it’s the way you like it.
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
I’ve made this dish a hundred times. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta. Seriously. Pull it out of the water when it’s still a tiny bit firm (al dente). It will finish cooking in the sauce, and this keeps it from turning into mush.
- Get a Good Sear on the Chicken. Don’t crowd the pan when you cook the chicken. Cook it in two batches if you have to. This gives the chicken a nice brown crust, which adds a ton of flavor.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan. The stuff in the green can has anti-caking stuff in it that can make your sauce gritty. A block of Parmesan will melt so much better and taste amazing.
Making It Your Own: Swaps & Ideas
Feel free to play with your food. This recipe is a great starting point.
| Swap This | For This Instead | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Ziti Pasta | Penne, Rigatoni, Shells | Any tube-shaped pasta will grab the sauce. |
| Chicken Breast | Chicken Thighs, Shrimp | Thighs are juicier, and shrimp cooks super fast. |
| Broccoli | Asparagus, Spinach, Peas | Use what you have! Add spinach at the end. |
| Heavy Cream | Half-and-Half | A little lighter, but still creamy. |
You can also add things like mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Got leftovers? Lucky you. They might even taste better the next day.
Make-Ahead: You can chop the veggies and cook the chicken a day or two in advance. Store them in the fridge. This makes assembly super quick on a busy night.
Storing Leftovers: Put any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll be good for up to 3 days.
Reheating: The best way is in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen up the sauce as it heats. You can microwave it too, but the sauce might separate a little.
Diet Swaps, Nutrition, and What to Serve It With
Need to fit this into a specific diet? No problem.
Dietary Swaps:
- Gluten-Free: Just use your favorite gluten-free ziti or penne.
- Lower-Carb: Swap the pasta for zoodles (zucchini noodles) or spaghetti squash.
- Dairy-Free: This is tougher. You can try a full-fat coconut milk instead of cream and use a dairy-free Parmesan substitute. The texture will be a bit different.
Serving Suggestions:
This is a full meal on its own. But if you want to stretch it, a simple green salad with a vinaigrette or some crusty garlic bread is perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I use frozen broccoli?
Ans: Yes, you totally can. Let it thaw first, and try to pat it dry with a paper towel to get rid of extra water. This will keep your sauce from getting thin.
Q2. My sauce is too thin! How do I fix it?
Ans: Simmer it for a few more minutes on low heat to let it reduce. You can also add a little more Parmesan cheese, which will help thicken it up.
Q3. Can I make this without chicken for a vegetarian version?
Ans: For sure. Just leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You could add some white beans or chickpeas for protein if you want.
Wrapping Up
See? A delicious, creamy pasta dinner that didn’t take all day. This recipe is a real winner for getting a great meal on the table without a lot of stress.
Now it’s your turn. Give it a try and let me know how it goes! Drop a comment below if you have any questions or if you tried any fun variations. I’d love to hear about it.