Description
This One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a delicious and easy dinner recipe that combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with perfectly cooked penne pasta, rich marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. All made in a single pot, it’s a convenient and satisfying meal that captures the flavors of classic chicken Parmesan in a comforting pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to infuse flavor into the meat.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook until they are nicely browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same pot, add the minced garlic and sauté for approximately 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add Sauce, Broth, and Pasta: Pour in the marinara sauce and chicken broth, then stir in the penne pasta. Bring this mixture to a simmer to start cooking the pasta.
- Cook Chicken and Pasta Together: Slice the browned chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces and return them to the pot. Cover the pot and cook until the pasta is tender and the chicken is fully cooked, about 12-15 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta and chicken. Cover the pot again and let the cheese melt, creating a gooey, cheesy topping.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish the dish by garnishing with fresh basil leaves to add a bright and fresh flavor before serving hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- If you prefer, substitute penne with another pasta shape like rigatoni or rotini.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
- To make it lighter, use part-skim mozzarella and reduce the amount of oil.
