Baked Ziti with Chicken
A comforting baked pasta dish with tender chicken, ziti noodles, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses—ideal for cozy family dinners.
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
- 1 baking dish
- 1 pot for cooking pasta
Ingredients
- 12 –14 oz ziti or penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 –4 garlic cloves minced
- 24 oz jar marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced chicken to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the chicken until browned and fully cooked, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add more oil if needed and sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
- Add minced garlic to the onion and cook for about 1 minute.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and bring it to a simmer.
- Return the cooked chicken to the sauce and stir to combine.
- Mix the cooked pasta with the chicken sauce either in a large bowl or directly in the baking dish.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the pasta mixture.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Use a mozzarella and provolone blend for richer cheese flavor.
- Add vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for nutrition.
- Substitute Alfredo or vodka sauce for a creamy twist.
- Assemble ahead and refrigerate prior to baking for convenience.