Chicken broccoli ziti bake recipe to check in 2023
What is Chicken Broccoli Ziti Bake?
Chicken broccoli ziti bake is a delicious and hearty pasta dish that is perfect for a flavorful and satisfying weeknight dinner. This recipe includes tender pieces of chicken, broccoli florets, ziti pasta, and a creamy sauce that is seasoned with garlic, black pepper, and parmesan cheese.
To prepare this dish, the chicken is seasoned with salt and black pepper before being cooked in a deep skillet with a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. The garlic cloves and yellow onion are added to the skillet and sautéed until fragrant. Then, the broccoli florets are added to the skillet and sautéed until they are tender.
Next, the pasta is cooked according to package directions and added to the skillet with the chicken and broccoli. The creamy sauce is made by combining heavy cream, chicken broth, white wine, parmesan cheese, and black pepper in a separate bowl. Once the sauce is fully combined, it is poured over the pasta mixture in the skillet.
The skillet is then topped with mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese and baked for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Once the chicken broccoli ziti bake is fully cooked, it can be served hot and garnished with additional parmesan cheese.
Chicken broccoli ziti bake is a versatile dish that can be adapted to fit a variety of dietary preferences, making it perfect for feeding a group of guests or a picky eater. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to five days or frozen for up to three months.
Overall, chicken broccoli ziti bake is a complete meal that is sure to satisfy your cravings for a hearty and flavorful pasta dish. With its tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and creamy sauce, this dish is sure to become a family favorite in no time.
Benefits of this Recipe
The chicken broccoli ziti bake recipe is a versatile and delicious dish that has a number of benefits. Not only is it a complete meal that is hearty and satisfying, but it is also easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
One of the main benefits of this recipe is that it is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. The broccoli florets add an extra dimension of flavor and texture to the dish, and they are also a great source of fiber, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients.
Another benefit of this recipe is that it can be adapted to fit a variety of dietary preferences. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken for a leaner option, or you can use vegetarian chicken substitutes or extra vegetables for a meatless option. You can also substitute the heavy cream for a lighter alternative or use non-dairy cheese for a vegan option.
In addition to being a delicious and healthy meal, the chicken broccoli ziti bake recipe is also easy to make and can be prepared in advance. You can cook the chicken and broccoli ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to make the pasta bake. This makes it the perfect dish for busy weeknights or for preparing ahead of time for a dinner party or gathering.
Finally, this recipe is also a great way to use up leftover chicken or pasta. You can easily adapt the recipe to use any leftover ingredients you have on hand, making it a great way to reduce food waste and save money.
Overall, the chicken broccoli ziti bake recipe is a delicious and versatile dish that has numerous benefits. Whether you are looking to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, adapt the recipe to fit your dietary preferences, or simply looking for an easy and delicious weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
Ingredients Needed
To make this delicious chicken broccoli ziti bake recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
-1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
-1 pound ziti pasta
-1 head of fresh broccoli, cut into small florets
-1 yellow onion, diced
-2 cloves garlic, chopped
-1/4 cup white wine (optional)
-1 cup chicken broth
-1 cup heavy cream
-2 tablespoons unsalted butter
-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
-1/4 teaspoon black pepper
-1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
-1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
To begin, preheat your oven to 375°F. Next, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and season with salt and black pepper. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, or until it is cooked through and no longer pink. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until it is soft and translucent. Add the chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the white wine and chicken broth to the skillet, and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, and slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
Add the cooked chicken, cooked pasta, and broccoli florets to the skillet. Stir to combine everything evenly. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top the mixture with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake the chicken broccoli ziti bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. This complete meal is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters and is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or a special occasion meal.
Creamy Sauce Ingredients:
For the perfect chicken broccoli ziti bake recipe, the creamy sauce used in the dish is the star ingredient that adds a delicious layer of flavor and texture. The ingredients used to make the sauce play a crucial role in creating its velvety consistency and rich flavor, making sure every bite is filled with creamy bliss.
To start, use unsalted butter and fresh garlic to add depth and a fragrant aroma to the sauce. The garlic should be minced or crushed to help release its oils, which give it a milder taste than when left whole. The butter should be melted in a deep skillet over medium heat before the garlic is added.
Next, add heavy cream and parmesan cheese to the skillet to create a creamy and velvety texture. The heavy cream adds richness to the sauce, while the parmesan cheese adds a nutty flavor and a subtle cheesy hint. To ensure that the sauce thickens properly, add corn starch to the mixture. Corn starch acts as a thickener and keeps the sauce from becoming too thin.
Finally, use Kosher salt and black pepper to season the creamy sauce to your liking. The salt brings out the flavors of the other ingredients, while the black pepper adds a little bit of spice and a bold aroma.
In conclusion, when making the perfect chicken broccoli ziti bake recipe, the creamy sauce must not be overlooked. Using the right ingredients with the right amounts is what creates a rich and velvety consistency that is sure to become a crowd-pleaser. So next time you’re preparing this recipe, don’t forget to finely chop some garlic, melt some unsalted butter, add heavy cream, parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, corn starch, and create the perfect sauce for a complete, hearty meal.