Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a quick, comforting one-pot meal combining tender seasoned chicken breasts with perfectly cooked pasta in a rich marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a family-friendly Italian-inspired dish that’s flavorful, easy to prepare, and perfect for busy weeknights.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking with optional broiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free pasta)
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings & Sauces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Oils & Fats
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti (regular or gluten-free)
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Fresh Herbs
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside to rest before slicing or shredding.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water for the sauce.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add a touch more olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce, season with salt, pepper, and extra Italian herbs. Simmer the sauce for 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat. Layer sliced chicken on top of the pasta and sprinkle generously with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Melt the Cheese: Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low, allowing the cheese to melt and get bubbly, about 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, transfer to a broiler-safe dish and broil for 2-3 minutes for a golden crust.
Notes
- Use fresh mozzarella for better melting and creaminess.
- Do not overcook pasta; keep it slightly firm to avoid mushiness.
- Simmer sauce gently to preserve fresh tomato flavor.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy and tender.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen and integrate the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan Pasta, Italian comfort food, quick pasta dinner, one-pot meal, family-friendly recipe, gluten-free pasta, easy chicken recipe