Start by cooking the chicken. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. For the best results, heat a little olive oil in a pan over medium heat, and season the chicken with salt, pepper, and any other spices you prefer, like garlic powder or Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, until fully cooked through and golden brown on the outside.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Slice it into bite-sized chunks or strips, depending on your preference.

While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the water to season the pasta. Once the water is boiling, add the ziti and cook it for 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest. This ensures the pasta doesn’t get too soft during baking. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

In the same pan you cooked the chicken in, add a bit more olive oil if needed and sauté garlic for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Then, pour in your marinara sauce (or a homemade tomato sauce if you prefer), and stir to combine. If you like a creamy twist, add ricotta cheese or a dollop of cream cheese into the sauce for richness. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors together.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the boiled pasta, chicken chunks, and sauce. Toss everything together until well-coated. Then, transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish (9x13 inch works great).

Top your pasta mixture with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for that cheesy, golden finish. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned on top.

Once your baked ziti with chicken is out of the oven, let it rest for about 5 minutes to set before serving. This makes it easier to slice and ensures all the cheesy goodness stays intact.