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Chicken Baked Ziti

Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ziti noodles
  • 1 lb ground chicken (or ground turkey), or cooked shredded chicken
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon (knorr powdered) add more if desired
  • 1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese I used part-skim
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • preheat oven 350
  • Boil ziti noodles according to package, don't overcook them. (Cook to al dente)
  • In a skillet, cook ground chicken. Check with a thermometer that it reaches 165 degrees.
  • Prepare sauce: In a skillet melt butter, add onion and garlic, whisk in flour, and slowly pour in milk and chicken broth add in chicken bouillon. Add 1 tablespoon then taste the sauce and add more if desired. Optional items are added in the NOTES below.
  • Drain pasta, add cooked chicken and sauce to the pan, along with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese stir until all combined.
  • Pour into a 9x13 baking dish
  • Pour mixture into pan, top with remaining cheese
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and starting to turn golden brown.

Notes

Want more flavor:
Add in 1-2 cups diced tomatoes fresh or canned, drained. 
Add in 1 teaspoon dry oregano.
Add in some chopped jalapenos for some spice or a half teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
Add more onions or garlic.
I use mozzarella cheese, if you looking for more flavor in the cheese department add in some parmesan cheese, or Romano Cheese, lots of options when it comes to cheese, try some asiago, manchego, and cotija cheese with the jalapenos is yummy!