Chicken Broccoli and Ziti

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this creamy Chicken Broccoli and Ziti recipe, a deliciously satisfying one-pan meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners. Tender bites of seasoned chicken are sautéed to golden perfection and paired with al dente ziti pasta and crisp-tender broccoli florets. Everything is cloaked in a luscious garlic parmesan cream sauce, made with chicken broth, heavy cream, and melted butter for rich flavor in every bite. Red pepper flakes add a subtle kick if you like a bit of heat, while fresh parsley provides a pop of color and freshness. Ready in just 40 minutes, this family-friendly dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s both simple and elevated. Serve it as-is or pair it with a green salad and crusty bread for a complete, comforting meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Ziti pasta
• 1.5 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 cups Broccoli florets
• 3 tbsp Olive oil
• 4 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.25 tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions until al dente. In the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water with the pasta to blanch them. Drain the pasta and broccoli together, saving 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 5

Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the broth simmer for 2 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. If you like some heat, add the red pepper flakes at this stage. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 7

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta and broccoli. Toss everything together to coat in the sauce. If the mixture seems too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the dish hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1916.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3766.5

Total Fat 160.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 67.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 840.3mg	0%
Sodium 4930.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 278.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.8g	0%
Total Sugars 17.0g
Protein 302.8g	0%

Vitamin D 6.8IU	0%
Calcium 1241.9mg	0%
Iron 22.9mg	0%
Potassium 2040.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.4%

Protein: 32.1%

Carbs: 29.5%