Description
A rich and comforting baked pasta dish featuring tender chicken, creamy Alfredo sauce, and melted cheese, perfect for family dinners or impressing guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tbsp salted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil the ziti in salted water according to package instructions (9-11 minutes) until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and melt remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the butter and garlic, whisking constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flavor.
- Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in grated Parmesan, half of the mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and black pepper until cheese melts smoothly.
- In a large bowl, gently toss cooked ziti, chicken, and Alfredo sauce until evenly coated.
- Transfer mixture to a prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly browned.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
If sauce is too thick before baking, stir in a splash of milk to loosen. Let baked ziti rest 5 minutes before serving for better set and cleaner serving. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melt. Cook chicken in batches if pan is small to avoid steaming. Cover with foil if cheese browns too fast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: creamy chicken Alfredo, baked ziti, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy pasta, family meal