Zesty Chicken Broccoli Ziti
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this Zesty Chicken Broccoli Ziti recipe! Packed with tender slices of seasoned chicken, vibrant broccoli florets, and al dente ziti pasta, this dish is tossed in a luscious lemon cream sauce that’s accented by a hint of garlic and a touch of red pepper heat. The bright flavors of fresh lemon zest and juice bring a refreshing zing, while Parmesan cheese adds a savory richness that’s impossible to resist. Perfectly comforting yet bursting with fresh, bold taste, this one-pan dish comes together in just 40 minutes and is ideal for serving to family or guests. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan for a restaurant-worthy finish that will have everyone asking for seconds. Keywords: Zesty chicken broccoli ziti recipe, lemon garlic cream sauce, easy weeknight pasta dish, chicken and broccoli pasta.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.75 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
Using the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil along with the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic burn.
Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream to the skillet, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and cooked ziti pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Add the sliced chicken back to the skillet and toss to combine, letting it heat through for 1-2 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Serve the Zesty Chicken Broccoli Ziti immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3181 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 145.0 g | 186% | |
| Saturated Fat | 67.9 g | 340% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 596 mg | 199% | |
| Sodium | 3799 mg | 165% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 276.3 g | 100% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.3 g | 94% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.3 g | ||
| Protein | 185.4 g | 371% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 923 mg | 71% | |
| Iron | 18.5 mg | 103% | |
| Potassium | 1024 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
