Chicken With Broccoli, Ziti, And Parmesan Cheese

If you liked yesterday's dinner idea, here's another easy weeknight chicken dish. I love one-pot meals like this because it always feels better sitting down to dinner when there aren't piles of dishes and pots and pans taking up residence on the counters and spilling out of the sink. You don't even have to boil the pasta separately.

Chicken With Broccoli, Ziti, And Parmesan Cheese (adapted from Cook's Illustrated)
(Printable version)

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
8 ounces ziti
2 3/4 cups water
1 2/3 cups chicken broth
12 ounces broccoli florets (about 4 cups)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Preparation

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.

Add the chicken in a single layer, and cook for 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking until most of the pink color has disappeared and chicken is lightly browned around edges, 1 to 2 minutes more.

Transfer the chicken to a plate, and set it aside.

Add remaining tablespoon of oil, onion, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, 2 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes, and cook for 30 seconds.

Add the ziti, 2 cups of the water, and the broth. Bring to a boil and, stirring frequently to keep ziti from sticking, cook until liquid is thick, syrupy, and almost fully absorbed, about 12 to 15 minutes.

Add broccoli and the remaining 3/4 cup of water.

Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook until broccoli is bright green and almost tender, 3 to 5 minutes.

Uncover, and raise heat to high. Stir in the cream, Parmesan cheese, and the reserved chicken with its juices, and continue to simmer uncovered until sauce is thickened and chicken is cooked and heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.

Remove pan from heat, and stir in lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

What are some one-pot meals you like to make?