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Home » Course » Dinner » Chicken Broccoli Ziti

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

Chicken Broccoli Ziti

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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!

Pasta, diced chicken, and broccolli in creamy sauce in a skillet.

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
Pasta, diced chicken, and broccolli in creamy sauce.

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!
Ingredients for chicken broccoli ziti in separate bowls.

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.

Process photos of cooking pasta and broccoli in a pot.

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.

Process photos of searring diced chicken.

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.

Process photos of adding butter and flour to the skillet and stirring it.

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

Process photos of adding chicken stock and cream to the sauce.

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.

Process photos of adding spices and stirring the sauce.

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

Process photos of adding grated Parmesan cheese to the creamy sauce.

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

Serve and enjoy this delicious Chicken Broccoli Ziti!

Process photos of adding seared chicken, pasta, and broccooli to the skillet 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.
Pasta, diced chicken, and broccolli in creamy sauce.

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.
Pasta, diced chicken, and broccolli in creamy sauce in a grey plate.

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.

Pasta, diced chicken, and broccolli in creamy sauce in a skillet.

More Dinner Recipe Ideas:

  • Instant Pot Taco Soup
  • Taco Zucchini Boats
  • Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
  • Baked Chicken Cutlets
  • Pasta e Fagioli Soup
  • Instant Pot BBQ Ribs
  • Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
  • Baked Cheese Tortellini
  • Pork Milanese
  • Cast Iron Chicken Breast
Pasta, diced chicken, and broccolli in creamy sauce in a skillet.
Print Recipe
5 from 3 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 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 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

Calories: 802kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 1317mg | Potassium: 1207mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2259IU | Vitamin C: 144mg | Calcium: 294mg | Iron: 3mg
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.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sue says

    January 22, 2023 at 6:22 pm

    AMAZING!! This was so good quick and easy. I will make again!

    Reply
    • Aaron Nesselrodt says

      February 08, 2023 at 9:02 pm

      Thank you Aaron and my mom loves it

      Reply
  2. Candace says

    January 19, 2022 at 8:54 pm

    5 stars
    Increased chicken broth to 2 cups and used 4 tablespoons flour. Recipe didn’t indicate when to add chicken, so seemed appropriate to add after pasta and broccoli added to sauce.

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      January 25, 2022 at 11:49 am

      Thank you, Candace! Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  3. Leo T says

    January 18, 2022 at 5:17 pm

    5 stars
    Thumbs up by all….Easy / Quick / Delicious

    Substituted heavy cream with coconut milk.

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      January 25, 2022 at 11:47 am

      Thank you, Leo! Glad you all loved it 😉

      Reply
  4. Lauren says

    December 16, 2021 at 5:50 pm

    This was delicious! I went from not knowing what was for dinner at 4:20 to dinner on the table at 5:30 and everyone liked it!!!

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      December 17, 2021 at 11:37 am

      Yaay! Thank you so much, Lauren! So happy you and your family loved the recipe!

      Reply
  5. Naomi says

    November 29, 2021 at 5:29 pm

    5 stars
    Lovely, trying this tonight!

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      December 02, 2021 at 1:49 pm

      Thank you, Naomi! Let me know how you liked it!

      Reply

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