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Chicken Parmesan Baked Ziti

A comforting baked ziti layered with breaded chicken, marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan for an easy family-style dinner.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken tenders
  • kosher salt to taste
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg plus 1 tablespoon water, whisked
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter ½ ounce (⅛ stick)
  • 1 pound dry ziti pasta about 1 box
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce about 1 jar
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray; set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and season generously with salt.
  • Season the chicken tenders on both sides with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
  • Prepare three shallow dishes: flour in one, the whisked egg with 1 tablespoon water in the second, and Italian breadcrumbs mixed with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan in the third.
  • Dredge each chicken tender in flour, shake off excess, dip in the egg, then coat evenly in the breadcrumb mixture; set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and butter. When the butter melts, cook the breaded chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken from the skillet and let cool slightly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • While the chicken cooks, add the ziti to the boiling water and cook until just under al dente. Reserve 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  • Return the drained pasta to the empty pot, add the marinara sauce and reserved pasta water, and stir to combine.
  • Spoon half of the sauced ziti into the prepared baking dish, top with half of the diced chicken and half of the mozzarella cheese.
  • Cover with the remaining pasta and sauce, then add the remaining chicken, remaining mozzarella, and the rest of the grated Parmesan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until hot and bubbly, about 25–30 minutes. Let rest about 5 minutes before serving.

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • 3 shallow bowls or plates
  • Tongs
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board

Notes

  • Grease the baking dish to prevent sticking.
  • Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  • Add ricotta between layers for a creamier bake if desired.
  • Let the baked ziti rest 5 minutes before slicing so it holds together.