Description
This Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a quick, hearty, and family-friendly one-pan meal combining tender chicken breasts, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheeses with perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers comforting Italian flavors with minimal prep and cleanup, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Dairy
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Produce & Herbs
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Pantry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove the chicken and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Create the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in diced tomatoes and marinara sauce, stirring to combine. Let simmer gently for 5-7 minutes to meld flavors and thicken slightly.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving a little pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency if needed.
- Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce: Add sliced chicken back into the skillet with the sauce, then stir in the cooked pasta. Mix thoroughly so each piece is coated in the savory tomato sauce and chicken.
- Add Cheese and Finish Cooking: Sprinkle grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella over the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat until cheese melts and becomes gooey, about 3-5 minutes.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking without dryness.
- Don’t overcook pasta; al dente texture holds up best when combined with sauce and cheese.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce texture and create a silky consistency.
- Opt for freshly grated cheese for smoother melting and fresher taste.
- Cover skillet when melting cheese to trap heat and moisture, speeding melting and keeping pasta tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Pasta, One-Pan Meal, Quick Dinner, Italian, Family Meal, Comfort Food, Weeknight Dinner