Description
Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering one-pot chicken parmesan pasta, blending Italian-inspired flavors with creamy, cheesy goodness. Perfectly balanced and quick to prepare, you’ll savor every delicious bite of this satisfying weeknight dinner solution.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium-high temperature, searing chicken pieces until golden brown and fully cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes per side.
- Sprinkle chicken with kosher salt and cracked black pepper during cooking to enhance flavor profile.
- Pour marinara sauce and water directly into the pot with browned chicken, ensuring complete liquid coverage of the meat.
- Add uncooked pasta to the liquid mixture, stirring gently to distribute ingredients evenly and prevent sticking.
- Bring entire mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
- Simmer contents for 11-13 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent pasta from clumping or burning at the bottom.
- Check pasta tenderness by testing a piece; it should be soft yet retain a slight firmness characteristic of al dente preparation.
- Incorporate mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses into the hot pasta, stirring continuously to create a creamy, smooth texture.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a subtle heat, mixing thoroughly to distribute spice evenly throughout the dish.
- Allow cheese to melt completely, creating a rich, glossy sauce that coats the pasta and chicken.
- Finish by garnishing with fresh torn basil leaves, adding a bright, aromatic element to the final presentation.
- Serve immediately while the dish remains hot and the cheese is perfectly melted.
Notes
- Customize chicken thickness by pounding to ensure even cooking and faster preparation time.
- Select low-sodium marinara sauce to control salt levels and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly meal without compromising taste or texture.
- Experiment with different protein alternatives like shredded rotisserie chicken or plant-based chicken for quick weeknight variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 426 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 502 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg