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Chicken Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti with Chicken — A FAST and EASY pasta bake made with al dente ziti, juicy chicken, marinara sauce, and two types of CHEESE for the ultimate comfort food casserole! Ready in 45 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual family get-togethers, and picky eater approved! Use pasta that's in your pantry, a jar of marinara, rotisserie chicken, cheese, and you're set - nothing too fancy or complicated here and planned leftovers are a bonus!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 106 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces dried ziti pasta or similar shaped pasta such as rigatoni or penne
  • 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or chopped* (see notes)
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano Italian seasoning may be substituted
  • 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves chopped
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, or as desired

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 9x9-inch baking dish or 2 to 2.5-quart casserole dish with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente. Tip - While pasta is cooking, shred the chicken to get ahead.
  3. When the pasta is cooked to al dente, drain it, return it to the pot, add the shredded chicken, marinara, oregano, optional but recommended red pepper flakes, and stir to combine. Tip - Do NOT rinse the pasta as the starch helps it blend and bind with the marinara sauce.
  4. Turn out HALF this saucy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  5. Evenly sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese over the top.
  6. Turn out the remaining half of the saucy pasta over the top, and then add the remaining 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Tip - If you want to make this in advance, stop now, cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. When you're ready to bake, set the casserole dish on your countertop for about 45 minutes so it can come up to nearly room temp before baking, and then bake as directed. You can also freeze this for up to 3 months prior to baking, thaw, and bake as directed. However, most people will not have space for a large baking dish in their freezer.
  7. Bake uncovered for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is as golden browned on top as desired. Tip - I suggest baking on the middle oven rack and rotating the baking dish once midway through baking for even browning.
  8. Storage - Leftovers will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I store all leftovers in individual serving size microwave-safe containers and reheat in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

Notes

  • *Chicken - This ziti casserole calls for pre-cooked chicken that's been shredded or chopped.
  • You can either poach chicken yourself and shred it.
  • You can buy a rotisserie chicken and shred that. Some stores even sell pre-shredded rotisserie chicken, which is even easier and faster.
  • You can also chop leftover baked chicken breasts or whatever remains from a whole roasted chicken. It doesn’t matter if the chicken is seasoned, so long as it’s a seasoning you think will pair reasonably well with the marinara sauce and Italian herbs used in this chicken ziti bake recipe.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 106kcal (5%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 35mg (12%) Sodium 575mg (24%) Potassium 449mg (13%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 595IU (12%) Vitamin C 8mg (9%) Calcium 23mg (2%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 106

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 106kcal 5%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 35mg 12%
Sodium 575mg 24%
Potassium 449mg 10%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 595IU 12%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 23mg 2%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.