Description
This One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a flavorful and easy-to-make Italian-inspired dish combining tender chicken, hearty pasta, and rich marinara sauce, all cooked together for a mess-free, comforting meal ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Additional dried Italian seasoning, optional
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta & Sauce
- 16 oz dried short-cut pasta (e.g., rigatoni)
- 24 oz jar of marinara sauce (e.g., Newman’s Own)
- Water to fill the empty marinara sauce jar
Cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Garnish
- Fresh parsley and/or basil, minced for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is mostly cooked through but not fully done. Remove the chicken pieces from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add the minced onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes soft and translucent, releasing its flavors.
- Add Sauce and Liquid: Pour the marinara sauce into the pot. Then, fill the empty marinara sauce jar with water and add it to the pot as well. Stir the mixture well and bring it to a boil to combine the flavors thoroughly.
- Simmer with Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and add the dried pasta. Stir everything together to ensure the pasta is submerged in the sauce. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the pasta mixture. Mix until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce is creamy.
- Melt Remaining Mozzarella: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta in the pot. Cover and allow it to cook for another 2-3 minutes over low heat until the cheese melts beautifully, creating a gooey topping.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat. Garnish the pasta with freshly minced parsley or basil for a burst of fresh flavor and color. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting one-pot chicken Parmesan pasta.
Notes
- Use rigatoni, penne, or any short-cut pasta that holds sauce well for best results.
- Adjust seasoning to taste during cooking to ensure balanced flavors.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes when sautéing onions and garlic.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking.
