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Top view of a tasty broccoli and chicken pasta in a black bowl, perfect for healthy dining visuals.
Stovetop~35 minComplexity

Chicken Broccoli Ziti

Chicken Broccoli Ziti delivers 67g protein and 934 calories per serving—one of the highest-protein pasta dishes in our library. Quick-prep stovetop recipe scales to 4 servings, maximizing protein per batch cook. Designed for strength athletes tracking 180g+ daily protein without cooking multiple times per day.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • Unsalted Butter(45g)
  • Olive oil(15g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(454g)

    Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (divided)
  • Yellow Onion
  • Garlic(15g)
  • Italian seasoning(10g)
  • Red pepper flakes(1g)
  • Low Sodium Chicken Broth
  • Skim Milk(360g)
  • Pasta, Ziti, White, Dry(170g)
  • Broccoli(720g)
  • Artichoke Hearts, Canned, Drained(397g)
  • Lemon Juice, Fresh(30g)
  • Parmesan Cheese(60g)

    Grated Parmesan — the shelf-stable canister is fine for cooking.

  • Parsley, Fresh(30g)

Instructions

  1. 1Heat the butter and olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and foaming, about 1–2 minutes. Add the chicken breast, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until golden brown on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
  2. 2Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining butter and diced onion to the same skillet. Cook until the onion begins to soften and turn translucent, about 3 minutes, adjusting heat if needed to prevent browning. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  3. 3Slowly stir in the chicken broth and milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then add the ziti pasta. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. 4Stir in the broccoli florets and continue boiling until the ziti is al dente and the broccoli is tender-crisp, about 5–7 minutes more. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking. If the mixture looks too dry, splash in additional milk as needed.
  5. 5Slice or chop the reserved chicken and stir it back into the skillet along with the artichoke hearts, fresh lemon juice, grated Parmesan, and fresh parsley. Cook for 1–2 minutes over medium heat until heated through.
  6. 6Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  7. 7Divide the chicken broccoli ziti evenly into 4 airtight containers while hot. Cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating for up to 4 days.
  8. 8Reheat individual portions in a microwave (2–3 minutes) or on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of milk, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition — Per Serving

934

calories

67g

protein

46g

fat

Carbohydrates
86g
Saturated fat
19.0g
Sodium
1009 mg
Dietary fiber
8.5g

4 servings per batch · ~577g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Chicken Broccoli Ziti have per serving?

Each serving contains 67g protein and 934 calories with 46g fat and 86g carbs. This delivers among the highest protein counts per serving in pasta-based recipes while maintaining balanced macronutrients.

How long does Chicken Broccoli Ziti take to prep?

Despite the calorie and macro density, this is a quick prep recipe yielding 4 servings in one stovetop session for efficient batch cooking.

Is Chicken Broccoli Ziti good for muscle gain?

At 67g protein and 934 calories per serving with 86g carbs, this recipe is built for muscle gain phases requiring substantial caloric and protein intake. The high carbohydrate content supports intense training sessions and glycogen replenishment.

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