Description
Comfort meets convenience in this irresistible one-pot chicken parmesan pasta that brings Italian-inspired magic to your dinner table. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this simple meal delivers restaurant-quality satisfaction straight from your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
Pasta and Sauce:
- 2 cups (200 g) uncooked penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 (24 oz/680 g) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the protein by searing diced chicken in a spacious pot with olive oil over medium heat. Enhance with aromatic seasonings including garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Sizzle for 5-6 minutes, ensuring golden brown edges and complete internal cooking. Transfer the succulent chicken to a separate plate.
- Utilize the same pot to construct the pasta foundation. Pour in chicken broth and marinara sauce, then introduce uncooked pasta. Mix thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly. Elevate temperature to achieve a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and allow pasta to absorb liquid and become tender, stirring intermittently over 12-15 minutes.
- Reintroduce the previously cooked chicken into the pasta landscape. Generously shower Parmesan cheese across the surface, folding gently to integrate. Crown the dish with a blanket of shredded mozzarella, creating a molten cheese canopy. Replace lid and allow residual heat to transform cheese into a luxurious, melted layer.
- Finalize the culinary creation by optionally adorning with fresh basil leaves. Present piping hot, accompanied by crusty garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete dining experience.
Notes
- Swap chicken with tofu or plant-based protein to create a vegetarian version that maintains the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium chicken broth and marinara sauce, perfect for those monitoring salt intake.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and ensure smooth, quick meal preparation.
- Use gluten-free pasta and verify marinara sauce ingredients for a celiac-friendly adaptation that doesn’t compromise taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg