Chicken Broccoli Ziti (2024)

Published: Aug 18, 2021 · Modified: Apr 30, 2022 by Veronika's Kitchen * This post may contain affiliate links

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Make this amazing Chicken Broccoli Ziti coated in delicious creamy sauce! This is an easy weeknight dinner recipe that you can make in under 30 minutes!

If you are looking for a quick and easy comforting meal, try this amazing Chicken Broccoli Ziti! This is a delicious pasta recipe, made with creamy sauce, similar to Alfredo sauce, and packed with sauteed chicken and healthy broccoli.

The whole recipe comes together in only 30 minutes. And the only appliances you’ll need is a pot to boil pasta and broccoli, and a large skillet to sear the diced chicken, make the sauce, and mix all the components together.

If you like more comforting quick meals, check out these recipes:

Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
Tortellini in Tomato Sauce
Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole
Meatless Baked Ziti
Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Old Fashioned Goulash Recipe
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Pink Sauce Pasta

Why you will love this recipe

Quick and Easy. The whole recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make! Plus, it’s so easy to put it together. While the pasta and broccoli are cooking in a pot, you can sear the meat and prep the sauce. Then just mix everything together and the dinner is done!
Delicious. The sauce is very similar to the popular Alfredo sauce! It’s has a rich creamy texture that even picky eaters love!

How to make it

Cut the chicken breasts into 1×1-inch cubes and set aside. Cut a bunch of broccoli into florets and set aside.

Bring a large pot with water to boil. Transfer 10 oz ziti pasta and cook according to the instructions until al-dente.

When the pasta is almost cooked, add broccoli florets into the cooking pasta and cook for 3-4 minutes. When done, drain all the water.

While the pasta is cooking, preheat a large pan over medium/high heat and add 2 tbsp olive oil.

Add cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 7-10 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through. Then scoop all the cooked meat out of the pan into a plate and set aside.

Low the heat to medium. In the same pan, melt 3 tbsp butter. Add 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and whisk until well combined for about 1 minute.

Add 1 ½ cups chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream, then whisk again until the butter/flour mixture is dissolved.

Then add the seasoning (1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes). Whisk and continue to whisk until the sauce gets thicker, about 7-10 minutes.

Then add ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and whisk again until well combined.

Add cooked pasta and broccoli and toss them well, so everything is coated with the sauce.

Tips for best results

Skillet. Make sure your skillet is large enough and has high rims, so it can fit everything. Mine is 4.5 qt and perfectly fits the whole meal.
Red Pepper Flakes. If you like your pasta a bit spicier, you can add some extra red pepper flakes. But remember that the longer you cook them in the sauce, the spicier they will be.
Pasta. While this recipe is for Ziti, you can really use any pasta you have on hands.
Chicken. When you pan sear the chicken, make sure you don’t overcook it, otherwise the meat will come out dry.

How to make this recipe healthier?

This recipe is definitely more comforting and includes more calories. While it’s totally worth to indulge it, there are a few ways you can make it a bit healthier.

Heavy Cream. Cream helps to make the sauce rich and creamy. It you want to reduce fat, you can substitute it with some light cream or even milk. Although, if you use milk, I would use 2 ½ cups of milk instead of 1 ½ cups chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream. This way you still will be smooth and velvety
Vegetables. You can easily add more vegetables to this dish, like peas, cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and more. If you want to use frozen peas, just add it to the boiling water together with broccoli. The rest of the vegies will need to be seared in the pan after to finish cooking the chicken.
Pasta. Feel free to use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta in this recipe. The cooking time for it might be slightly different, just follow the instructions on the box.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store?

You can store the leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze it?

I would not suggest to freeze this meal. The creamy sauce doesn’t freeze that well and it’s hard to defrost it keeping it creamy.

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes, you can use fresh or frozen broccoli in this recipe. Although, I prefer fresh.

Can I use other type of chicken?

While I prefer to use chicken breasts, you can also use skinless boneless thighs or even tenders. Just cut then into bite-size pieces.

More Dinner Recipe Ideas:

Instant Pot Taco Soup
Taco Zucchini Boats
Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
Baked Chicken Cutlets
Pasta e fa*gioli Soup
Instant Pot BBQ Ribs
Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Baked Cheese Tortellini
Pork Milanese
Cast Iron Chicken Breast

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Chicken Broccoli Ziti

Make this amazing Chicken Broccoli Ziti coated in delicious creamy sauce! This is an easy weeknight dinner recipe that you can make in under 30 minutes!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 802kcal

Author: Veronika’s Kitchen

Ingredients

▢ 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1×1-inch pieces
▢ 10 ounces ziti pasta
▢ 1 bunch broccoli cut into florets
▢ 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
▢ 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
▢ 1 ½ cups chicken broth
▢ 1 cup heavy cream
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
▢ ½ teaspoon dried oregano
▢ ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
▢ ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

Cut the chicken breasts into 1×1-inch cubes and set aside. Cut a bunch of broccoli into florets and set aside.
Bring a large pot with water to boil. Transfer 10 oz ziti pasta and cook according to the instructions until al-dente.
When the pasta is almost cooked, add broccoli florets into the cooking pasta and cook for 3-4 minutes. When done, drain all the water.
While the pasta is cooking, preheat a large pan over medium/high heat and add 2 tbsp olive oil.
Add cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 7-10 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through. Then scoop all the cooked chicken out of the pan into a plate and set aside.
Low the heat to medium. In the same pan, melt 3 tbsp butter. Add 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and whisk until well combined for about 1 minute.
Add 1 ½ cups chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream, then whisk again until the butter/flour mixture is dissolved.
Add the seasoning (1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes). Whisk and continue to whisk until the sauce gets thicker, about 7-10 minutes.
Then add ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and whisk again until well combined.
Add cooked pasta and broccoli and toss them well, so everything is coated with the sauce.
Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Skillet. Make sure your skillet is large enough and has high rims, so it can fit everything. Mine is 4.5 qt and perfectly fits the whole meal.
Red Pepper Flakes. If you like your pasta a bit spicier, you can add some extra red pepper flakes. But remember that the longer you cook them in the sauce, the spicier they will be.
Pasta. While this recipe is for Ziti, you can really use any pasta you have on hands.
Chicken. When you pan sear the chicken, make sure you don’t overcook it, otherwise the meat will come out dry.
How to store. You can store the leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.