Some suppers earn their place in a family rotation simply because they are easy, dependable, and mighty comforting, and this oven baked 4-ingredients lazy honey mustard chicken ziti is that kind of dish. It has the sort of practical charm Midwestern cooks have always appreciated: pasta to fill hungry bellies, chicken for staying power, a sweet-tangy honey mustard flavor that wakes everything up, and a bubbly cheese topping that brings it all home. This is the kind of meal you make on a busy weeknight when nobody wants a fuss but everybody still wants dinner to feel warm and special.
Serve this ziti with a simple green salad, buttered green beans, or a pan of roasted broccoli if you want a little color on the plate. A slice of garlic bread or a warm dinner roll goes especially well for catching every bit of that glossy honey mustard sauce, and for drinks, iced tea, lemonade, or plain cold milk all fit the easygoing spirit of this family-style supper.
Oven Baked 4-Ingredients Lazy Honey Mustard Chicken Ziti
Servings: 6
Ingredients
12 ounces ziti pasta
Directions
1. Heat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a rectangular baking dish.
2. Cook the ziti in salted water according to the package directions until just tender, then drain well.
3. In a large bowl, stir together the cooked ziti, chopped chicken, honey mustard sauce, and 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella until everything is evenly coated.
4. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella evenly over the top.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Variations & Tips
Use rotisserie chicken: This is one of the handiest shortcuts of all. If you have leftover rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator, just pull it apart and stir it in. It saves time and adds plenty of flavor.
Try a sharper cheese: Mozzarella keeps things mild and stretchy, but a blend with sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack gives the casserole a little more backbone. Use what you have and make it fit your family’s taste.
Add vegetables: If you want to stretch the meal or tuck in more produce, stir in a cup of thawed peas, cooked broccoli, or sautéed onions. Just be sure any vegetables are cooked or drained well so the casserole stays creamy instead of watery.
Do not overbake: Since the chicken is already cooked and the pasta has been boiled, the oven’s job is mainly to heat everything through and melt the cheese. Pull it out once it is hot and bubbly so the pasta stays tender.
Make it ahead: You can assemble the whole casserole a few hours early, cover it, and refrigerate it until baking time. If it goes into the oven cold, add a few extra minutes so the center heats through properly.
