Description
Comfort meets elegance in this one-pot chicken parmesan pasta, where creamy marinara sauce and melted cheese embrace tender chicken and perfectly cooked noodles. Weeknight dinners never tasted so good, promising a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season thoroughly with salt, black pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear chicken pieces until golden brown and nearly cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, keeping warm while maintaining the flavorful pan drippings.
- In the same skillet, mince garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, releasing its aromatic essence without browning.
- Pour chicken broth and marinara sauce into the skillet, stirring to combine and scrape up any caramelized bits from the bottom.
- Add uncooked penne pasta directly into the liquid mixture, ensuring it’s mostly submerged, and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and cook pasta for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Once pasta is nearly al dente, reintroduce the seared chicken pieces back into the skillet.
- Sprinkle grated parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, creating a melty, golden blanket.
- Cover and let cheese melt completely, about 2-3 minutes, creating a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Remove from heat and garnish with freshly torn basil leaves for a burst of herbaceous freshness.
- Allow the dish to rest for 3-4 minutes before serving, letting flavors meld and sauce thicken slightly.
Notes
- Opt for chicken thighs as a juicier alternative that holds moisture better during one-pot cooking.
- Customize spice levels by adding red pepper flakes or cayenne for extra heat and complexity.
- Gluten-free version works perfectly by substituting regular penne with gluten-free pasta varieties.
- Consider using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to reduce overall cooking time and simplify preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg