Description
This One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a delicious and easy Italian-American dish combining tender chicken, penne pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce all cooked in a single skillet. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it delivers the comforting flavors of chicken parmesan with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce and Pasta
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Cheeses and Garnish
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- Optional toppings: extra Parmesan, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Warm the olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned and mostly cooked through.
- Sauté garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add liquids and bring to simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and marinara sauce. Stir everything together well and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Add pasta: Add the uncooked penne pasta, stirring well to ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the sauce.
- Simmer pasta: Cover the pot with a lid, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Make it creamy: Stir in the heavy cream, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Finish with basil: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil for freshness and added flavor.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the pasta and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- If the pasta thickens too much as it cools, stir in a splash of warm broth or water before serving to loosen the sauce.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic.
- This dish reheats well but may need additional liquid to loosen the sauce after refrigeration.
