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Chicken Broccoli Ziti

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Ziti for Quick Weeknight Comfort

This Chicken Broccoli Ziti is a quick, creamy, and comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta and Broccoli
  • 12 ounces Ziti Pasta Feel free to swap for penne or fusilli.
  • 2 cups Broccoli Florets Can be replaced with cauliflower or asparagus.
For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Chicken Breasts Chicken thighs can be substituted.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Switch to vegetable oil if preferred.
For the Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Mix your own with dried basil, oregano, and thyme if needed.
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder Use fresh minced garlic for more aroma.
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper
For the Creamy Sauce
  • 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • 4 cloves Minced Garlic Fresh garlic preferred.
  • 1 small Shallot Yellow onion can work if shallots are unavailable.
  • 0.5 cup White Wine Chicken broth can be used instead.
  • 0.75 cup Half-and-Half Heavy cream can be an alternative.
  • 0.5 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese Always opt for fresh.
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest Can substitute with a splash of lemon juice.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet
  • Colander

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken Broccoli Ziti
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. In the last 3-4 minutes, add the broccoli florets, allowing them to steam until bright green. Drain the pasta and broccoli together, then rinse under cold water.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and shallots, sautéing for about 1 minute. Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced, then stir in the half-and-half.
  4. Add the cooked ziti and reserved pasta water until the desired creaminess is achieved. Return the chicken and broccoli to the skillet, gently tossing everything together. Cook for an additional minute to heat through and meld the flavors.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted. Top with lemon zest and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 35gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 70mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For best results, reserve pasta water to thicken the sauce without heaviness. Adjust creaminess by substituting half-and-half with heavy cream and omit pasta water if using the latter.

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