Description
Comfort meets convenience in this one-pot chicken parmesan pasta, blending classic Italian flavors with easy preparation. Crispy chicken, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta come together in a single skillet, making dinner delightfully simple for busy home cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
main ingredients:
- 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
protein:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
seasonings and extras:
- 2 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Slice chicken breasts into thin, uniform cutlets, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Create a dredging station by whisking eggs in one bowl, mixing breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in another.
- Dip each chicken cutlet into beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully place breaded chicken cutlets into hot skillet, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken and set aside, leaving flavorful browned bits in the pan.
- In same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Pour marinara sauce into skillet, stirring to incorporate any remaining pan drippings.
- Add penne pasta directly into sauce, stirring to coat and ensure even cooking.
- Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, occasionally stirring, until pasta is tender and sauce is slightly thickened.
- Slice cooked chicken into strips and nestle into pasta.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over the top, covering pasta and chicken.
- Cover skillet and let cheese melt for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving hot directly from the skillet.
Notes
- Slice chicken uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and flavor distribution throughout the dish.
- Create a crispy coating by pressing breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken, ensuring maximum crunch and even breading coverage.
- Keep oil temperature consistent while frying chicken to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify chicken reaches safe internal temperature, preventing foodborne illness risks.
- Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta for celiac or gluten-sensitive diners without compromising taste or texture.
- Select low-moisture mozzarella to prevent excess liquid and maintain sauce’s perfect consistency during final cheese melting stage.
- Experiment with different protein options like turkey cutlets or plant-based alternatives for varied dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 569
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 634 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 162 mg