Creamy Asiago Chicken and Broccoli Ziti Skillet
Indulge in this delectable Creamy Asiago Chicken and Broccoli Ziti Skillet. This one-pan meal brings together tender chicken pieces, vibrant broccoli florets, and ziti pasta, all enveloped in a rich and flavorful asiago cheese sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it not only saves on cleanup but is also packed with nutrition. The balance of creamy textures and savory seasonings makes this dish a family favorite that you’ll want to share with friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons (divided)
boneless chicken breasts
4 (cut into 1-inch squares)
table salt
to taste
fresh ground pepper
to taste
onion
1 medium (minced)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon
red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon
ziti pasta
8 ounces
water
2 3/4 cups (divided)
low sodium chicken broth
1 2/3 cups
broccoli florets
12 ounces
heavy cream
1/2 cup
asiago cheese
1 ounce (grated, plus extra for serving)
fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon
Instructions
1
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2
Add the chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 1 minute.
3
Gently stir the chicken and continue cooking until the edges are lightly browned and most of the pink color has vanished; this should take an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
4
Transfer the chicken to a clean bowl and set it aside.
5
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil, followed by the minced onion and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 2 to 5 minutes.
6
Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
7
Add the ziti pasta to the skillet along with 2 cups of water and the chicken broth. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a vigorous boil.
8
Cook the ziti uncovered until the liquid thickens to a syrupy consistency and is nearly absorbed, approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
9
Incorporate the broccoli and the remaining 3/4 cup of water into the skillet. Cover the pan, lower the heat to medium, and steam the broccoli until it turns a bright green and is nearly tender, around 3 to 5 minutes.
10
After the broccoli finishes steaming, remove the lid and return the heat to high. Stir in the heavy cream and grated asiago cheese, along with the reserved chicken and its juices.
11
Allow the mixture to simmer uncovered until the sauce thickens further and the chicken is heated through, about 1 to 2 minutes.
12
Turn off the heat, stir in the lemon juice, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste.
13
Spoon the creamy chicken and ziti mixture onto plates and garnish with extra asiago cheese before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Asiago Chicken and Broccoli Ziti Skillet?
It is a one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and ziti pasta tossed in a rich, creamy sauce made with Asiago cheese.
What type of chicken should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 boneless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch squares.
What size skillet is needed for this recipe?
A 12-inch nonstick skillet is recommended to accommodate all ingredients.
Do I need to boil the pasta separately?
No, the ziti pasta is cooked directly in the skillet with water and chicken broth.
What kind of oil is best for browning the chicken?
You can use either vegetable oil or olive oil.
How long does it take to brown the chicken?
The chicken should cook undisturbed for 1 minute, then stir for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until lightly browned.
Should the chicken be fully cooked in the first step?
No, the chicken is browned initially and then removed from the pan to finish cooking later in the sauce.
What aromatics are used in this dish?
The recipe uses one medium minced onion and three minced garlic cloves.
When do I add the garlic?
Add the garlic after the onions have softened, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
What seasonings are included?
Dried oregano, red pepper flakes, table salt, and fresh ground pepper are used for seasoning.
How much liquid is needed to cook the pasta?
You initially use 2 cups of water and 1 2/3 cups of low sodium chicken broth.
How long does the ziti take to cook in the skillet?
It takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes for the liquid to thicken and the pasta to cook.
When should the broccoli be added?
Add the broccoli florets once the pasta liquid has become syrupy and nearly absorbed.
How do I steam the broccoli in the pan?
Add 3/4 cup of water, cover the pan, and cook on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes.
What type of cheese is used for the sauce?
Grated Asiago cheese is used to create the signature flavor of the sauce.
How much heavy cream is required?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
When do I add the lemon juice?
Stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice after turning off the heat at the very end.
How much broccoli is needed?
The recipe requires 12 ounces of broccoli florets.
What is the purpose of adding lemon juice?
Lemon juice brightens the flavor of the creamy sauce and balances the richness of the cheese.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
While ziti is specified, you could likely substitute penne or another tubular pasta.
How do I know when the sauce is finished?
The sauce is ready once it has thickened and the reserved chicken is heated through, which takes 1 to 2 minutes of simmering.
Is this a spicy dish?
It contains a small amount of red pepper flakes (1/8 teaspoon) for flavor, but it is generally mild.
How much Asiago cheese goes into the sauce?
One ounce of grated Asiago is stirred into the sauce, with extra used for garnishing.
How much ziti pasta do I need?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of ziti pasta.
Should I cook the pasta covered or uncovered?
Cook the pasta uncovered until the broccoli is added, then cover the pan to steam the broccoli.
Do I need to drain the chicken juices?
No, you should include the reserved juices when returning the chicken to the skillet for extra flavor.
What heat setting is used for the pasta boil?
Increase the heat to high to bring the mixture to a vigorous boil for the pasta.
How do I prepare the onion?
The medium onion should be minced before sautéing.
Can I substitute the chicken broth?
The recipe specifically recommends low sodium chicken broth for the best flavor balance.
How is the dish served?
Spoon the mixture onto plates and garnish with additional grated Asiago cheese.