How to Make Delicious Chicken Broccoli Ziti From Scratch

Chicken broccoli ziti is a classic Italian-American comfort food that the whole family will love. This cheesy pasta bake combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and ziti pasta all coated in a creamy, irresistible sauce. Making this recipe from scratch results in a dish that tastes so much better than anything you can buy pre-made. Read on to learn all my tips and tricks for making perfect chicken broccoli ziti right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make chicken broccoli ziti. you’ll need

• 1 pound dry ziti pasta
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1 10.75 ounce can chicken broth
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• 1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 large heads broccoli, chopped
• 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained
• 6 breaded chicken breasts, cooked and chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the Pasta

First up is cooking the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Sauté the Garlic

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Make the Sauce

Put in the bouillon cube, heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to slowly cook, then add the cornstarch and mix it in with a whisk until it reaches the thickness you want.

Cook the Vegetables

While the sauce is cooking, steam the broccoli florets until they are bright green and crisp. Drain and set them aside.

Finish the Dish

Steam the broccoli and drain the artichoke hearts. Then, add them to the sauce. Let cook for 2-3 minutes more. Turn off heat.

Bake

Transfer the cooked ziti pasta to a 9×13 baking dish. Add the sauce to the pasta and toss it around to coat it all. Top with the chopped cooked chicken breasts.

Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese over the top if desired.

Tips for Success

• Cook the pasta properly so it holds up in the sauce without getting mushy

• Use high quality ingredients like fresh garlic, real Parmesan, and heavy cream.

• Don’t overcook the chicken or broccoli – you want both to be tender but not mushy.

• Make sure the sauce has enough seasoning. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or bouillon as needed.

• Let it bake until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling throughout.

• Garnish with extra cheese for a delicious finishing touch.

Variations to Try

There are so many ways to customize chicken broccoli ziti to suit your tastes:

• Use rotini or penne instead of ziti pasta.

• Add sauteed mushrooms, spinach, or sun dried tomatoes.

• Stir in cooked Italian sausage or prosciutto.

• Use Alfredo sauce instead of cream sauce.

• Top with seasoned breadcrumbs or panko before baking.

• Make it spicy with red pepper flakes or cajun seasoning.

• Go meatless by using chickpeas instead of chicken.

Tips for Storing and Reheating

Chicken broccoli ziti holds up nicely for meal prepping and leftovers. Here are some storage tips:

• Let cool completely before storing. Transfer to an airtight container.

• Fridge life is 3-4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

• Reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of milk or broth.

• For the best texture, reheat entire dish in a 300°F oven until warmed through.

• Add a little extra cheese on top before reheating to help revive it.

• Stir while reheating to evenly distribute sauce on pasta.

From the classic ingredients to the easy one-pot preparation, chicken broccoli ziti has weeknight dinner written all over it. Just a handful of simple ingredients turns into such a satisfying, family-friendly meal. I hope these tips help you make the perfect chicken broccoli ziti at home. Adjust the flavors to your family’s tastes and enjoy this cheesy pasta bake all season long.