Description
This One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a hearty and comforting Italian-American dish that combines tender chicken, savory marinara sauce, and al dente pasta all cooked together in a single skillet. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it delivers rich flavors with less cleanup, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan for a cheesy finish and garnished with fresh basil or parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 12 oz uncooked penne or rotini pasta
Cheeses and Garnish
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned but not fully cooked through.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add liquids and pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and marinara sauce, then add the uncooked pasta to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine evenly and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the pasta: Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Continue until the pasta is tender and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Add the cheeses: Stir in the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan cheese until the cheeses melt and combine into the sauce.
- Melt remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta, cover again, and let it sit for 2–3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt thoroughly.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve the pasta hot and enjoy.
Notes
- For a crispy cheesy topping, transfer the cooked pasta to a baking dish, sprinkle with extra cheese and breadcrumbs, and broil for 2–3 minutes until golden.
- Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken for a faster, no-cook chicken addition.
