Description
This One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a delicious, hearty meal that combines tender chicken, flavorful marinara sauce, and cheesy pasta all cooked together in one pot for easy cleanup. With Italian seasoning, garlic, and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, this recipe offers a classic comfort food experience perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite sized pieces
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking (about 1-2 tbsp)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Pasta
- 16 oz dried short-cut pasta (e.g., rigatoni)
- 24 oz jar of your favorite marinara sauce (e.g., Newman’s Own)
- Water (to fill empty marinara sauce jar)
Cheeses and Garnishes
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (divided: 1/4 cup for mixing, 3/4 cup for topping)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- Additional dried Italian seasoning, optional
- Fresh parsley and/or basil, minced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot or skillet (such as a dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breasts and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes until it is mostly cooked through, then remove it to a plate.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In the same pot, add the minced onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Sauce and Water: Pour in the jar of marinara sauce, then refill the empty sauce jar with water and add that as well. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a strong simmer.
- Cook Pasta with Chicken: Return the chicken to the pot and add the dried pasta. Stir everything together, cover the pot, and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the pasta reaches your preferred tenderness.
- Mix in Cheeses: Stir in the parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese into the pasta mixture until melted and well combined.
- Add Topping Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the dish and cook uncovered for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes gooey.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle additional dried Italian seasoning over the top and garnish with minced fresh parsley or basil before serving.
Notes
- Use rigatoni or other short pasta shapes like penne or ziti to hold the sauce well.
- Adjust water quantity as needed to ensure the pasta cooks properly without drying out.
- To add more flavor, consider topping with red pepper flakes when serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of water.
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and add sautéed mushrooms or eggplant instead.
