Description
Savory one-pot chicken parmesan pasta brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen, blending cheesy goodness with tender chicken. Homemade magic happens quickly, letting you enjoy restaurant-quality flavors without complex preparation or multiple dishes to clean.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), diced into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings for Protein:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Sauce and Pasta Ingredients:
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara sauce
- 24 ounces (680 milliliters) water
- 16 ounces (454 grams) dried short-cut pasta (such as rigatoni)
Cheese:
- 1 cup (240 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, minced
- Fresh basil, minced
- Dried Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high temperature. Sauté diced chicken with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder for approximately 5 minutes until nearly cooked through. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Using the same pot, sauté minced onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour marinara sauce into the pot, then fill the empty sauce jar with water and add to the mixture. Stir thoroughly and bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Return chicken to the pot and add uncooked pasta. Stir to combine ingredients evenly. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring intermittently, until pasta reaches desired tenderness.
- Incorporate Parmesan and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese into the pasta. Stir until cheese melts completely and blends seamlessly with the sauce.
- Distribute remaining mozzarella cheese across the top of the pasta. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until cheese becomes fully melted and develops a luxurious, golden appearance.
- Optional: Sprinkle extra Italian seasoning for enhanced flavor. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve immediately while hot and bubbling.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for quick and even cooking, ensuring tender meat that absorbs flavors perfectly.
- Choose short pasta shapes like penne or rotini to help capture more sauce and create a more consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Adjust the liquid amount if using different pasta types, as some absorb more water than others during cooking.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and ensure marinara sauce is gluten-free certified.
- Create a vegetarian alternative by replacing chicken with plant-based protein like chickpeas, tofu, or mushrooms for a hearty meal.
- Prevent pasta from sticking by stirring occasionally and maintaining a consistent simmer during the cooking process.
- Enhance flavor depth by using freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged grated cheese for a more authentic taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 298 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg