Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti is a comforting and creamy pasta dish featuring tender ziti, shredded chicken, and a rich homemade Alfredo sauce. Topped with melted mozzarella and fresh herbs, this recipe is a perfect crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or potlucks. Serve with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal!
2cupsshreddedcooked chicken (approx 2 small chicken breasts)
1batch alfredo sauce
1 1/2cupsshredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Alfredo Sauce
1Tbspolive oil or butter
4clovesgarlicminced
3Tbspall-purpose flour
1cupchicken or vegetable stock
1cuplow-fat milk
3/4cupfreshly-grated Parmesan cheese
1/2tspsalt
1/4tspblack pepper
Instructions
To Make The Chicken Baked Ziti:
Heat the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
Cook the pasta al dente in a large stockpot of salted boiling water as per the package directions. Drain the pasta, return it to the pot, and mix in the chicken and Alfredo sauce until well combined.
Spread half of the pasta into the baking dish, making an even layer. Top it with 1 cup of mozzarella, sprinkling it evenly. Add the rest of the pasta on top, then finish with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella, spreading it evenly.
Bake for 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
Take it out of the oven and serve right away, adding your favorite toppings if you like.
To Make The Alfredo Sauce:
Warm olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for about a minute, stirring now and then, until it’s fragrant.
Sprinkle in the flour and stir well to combine. Cook for another minute, stirring occasionally, to eliminate the raw flour taste.
Gradually pour in the chicken broth, whisking constantly until smooth. Whisk in the milk and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cook for about a minute, letting it thicken slightly.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until the cheese is fully melted. Remove from heat and set aside.