Description
Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti is a decadent fusion of velvety garlic cream sauce, tender chicken breast, and perfectly al dente ziti pasta. This hearty comfort meal transforms a simple Italian pasta night into a restaurant-quality experience, featuring a bubbly, golden cheese crust. Ideal for busy families, this recipe uses pre-cooked chicken for convenience, ensuring a rich, satisfying dinner that captures the perfect balance of creamy sauce and tender protein in every bite.
Ingredients
1 lb Ziti Pasta
2 cups Cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
2 cups Heavy cream
1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 cups Mozzarella cheese, divided
4 cloves Garlic, minced finely
3 tbsp Unsalted butter
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/8 tsp Ground nutmeg
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the ziti until slightly firm to the bite.
Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about one minute.
Whisk in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Stir in the parmesan cheese and half of the mozzarella until the sauce thickens.
Add the Italian seasoning and nutmeg to the sauce.
Combine the cooked ziti and shredded chicken with the Alfredo sauce in a large baking dish.
Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Use penne or rigatoni if ziti is unavailable. Half-and-half can be used instead of heavy cream for a lighter version. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut to save time. Add a pinch of nutmeg to give the sauce depth.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 145mg