Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 45 mins | Servings: 8 people
This Chicken Baked Ziti is an amazing, very comforting dish! A delicious, easy-to-make pasta dinner that your entire family will love!
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ziti pasta, cooked (reserve ½ c. pasta water)
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
32 ounces of marinara sauce
1 ½ c. ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 bunch basil, chiffonade
3 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 c. Parmesan
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon red pepper, chili flakes (optional)
How to make Chicken Baked Ziti
Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 400 degrees F.
Step 2: Following the package directions, cook the Ziti noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water. Reserve half c. of the pasta water and drain the rest.
Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the cubed chicken along with the seasonings. Cook until the chicken is completely cooked. Drain any excess liquid from the pan and discard.
Step 4: To the skillet, add the marinara sauce, followed by the reserved pasta water. Bring everything to a simmer, then toss in the chicken. Transfer to an oven-safe glass baking dish.
Step 5: On top, add the cooked Ziti noodles. Over the noodles, add the ricotta and basil. Mix well and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Tent the dish with foil (greased with non-stick spray) and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for about 20 minutes. Then, uncover and broil for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Step 6: Remove from the oven when done and serve the Chicken Baked Ziti right away garnished with extra basil and more red sauce. Enjoy!
Notes:
This baked Ziti is great to pair with a salad or your preferred vegetable dish.
You can swap chicken with Italian sausage.
Feel free to make this dish ahead. Top with cheese, tent with foil, and keep in the fridge until ready to bake. Since the dish is cold, the baking time will be a bit longer than 20 minutes. Make sure to bake until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Then, remove the foil and broil for about 3 to 4 minutes.
Nutrition Info:
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 460 kcal