Name: One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped into 1-inch pieces; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 3 teaspoons minced garlic; Salt and pepper, to taste; 16 ounces short pasta noodles such as penne, ziti, or cellentani; 30 ounce jar of your favorite marinara sauce; 3 cups water; 1 ⅓ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided); ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese; 3 tablespoons butter (melted); ½ cup Italian style breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs + ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning); Fresh parsley, basil, or thyme

If you’re on the hunt for a dinner that’s both fuss-free and absolutely delicious, you’re going to fall head over heels for this One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe. It’s that perfect weeknight meal where everything cooks together in one pan, saving you from piles of dishes—and delivering rich, comforting Italian flavors in under 30 minutes. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen rotation.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Convenient: Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is a breeze.
Rich, Comforting Flavor: Classic chicken parmesan taste meets tender pasta in a hearty sauce.
Family Favorite: My whole family gobbles this up every time—kids included!
Quick Enough for Weeknights: Between prep and cooking, it’s ready in just 30 minutes.

A close-up view of a black pot filled with three main layers: a base layer of orange-red cooked elbow pasta covered in thick tomato sauce, a middle layer of melted white cheese which is stringy and soft, and a top layer of golden brown breadcrumb topping sprinkled with tiny bits of green herbs. The dish is being scooped by a wooden spoon from the right side, lifting a mix of all layers, showing the melty cheese stretching. The pot rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta, easy chicken parmesan dinner, quick Italian pasta recipe, weeknight chicken pasta, hassle-free chicken parmesan

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind this One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe lies in simple, fresh ingredients that come together seamlessly. Using Italian seasoning and fresh garlic gives it that authentic flavor, and choosing short pasta like penne or ziti helps it hold onto the sauce beautifully.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks, a small mound of penne pasta, a small white bowl of olive oil, a small white bowl of minced garlic, a small white bowl of red marinara sauce, a small white bowl of shredded mozzarella cheese, a small white bowl of shredded parmesan cheese, a small white bowl of Italian style breadcrumbs, a small white bowl of melted butter, a small white bowl of Italian seasoning powder, a few whole garlic cloves, a few fresh parsley leaves, a few fresh basil leaves, a few fresh thyme sprigs, a small pile of whole black peppercorns, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta, easy chicken parmesan dinner, quick Italian pasta recipe, weeknight chicken pasta, hassle-free chicken parmesan

Olive oil: Helps brown the chicken nicely and adds subtle depth to the dish.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and easy eating.
Italian seasoning: Divided into two parts to season chicken and sauce separately for layers of flavor.
Garlic powder and minced garlic: Dual garlic boost —powder seasons chicken, while fresh garlic flavors the sauce.
Short pasta noodles: Penne, ziti, or cellentani work great because they soak up the sauce and stay tender.
Marinara sauce: Your favorite jarred marinara works perfectly, keeping it simple without sacrificing taste.
Water: Helps the pasta cook perfectly in the sauce, keeping everything moist without needing extra broth.
Mozzarella cheese: Divided so half melts into the pasta and the rest creates that irresistible cheesy topping.
Parmesan cheese: Adds that sharp, nutty flavor essential to chicken parmesan.
Salt and pepper: Season to taste—don’t be shy to enhance those flavors!
Butter: Mixed with breadcrumbs to form a crispy, golden crust on top.
Italian-style breadcrumbs: Adds that crunchy finish you’ll love; if you don’t have Italian style, just add dried Italian seasoning to regular breadcrumbs.
Optional fresh herbs: Parsley, basil, or thyme make a fresh, vibrant garnish to brighten every bite.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about the One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you’re catering to dietary needs or just experimenting with flavors, you can tweak it to your heart’s content.

Swap the chicken for sausage: I once swapped chicken for Italian sausage and it added a deliciously spicy kick that my family adored.
Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken and toss in mushrooms or eggplant for a meatless version that’s just as satisfying.
Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs: Perfect if you’re cutting gluten but still want all the cheesy goodness.
Add veggies: Spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini stirred in towards the end make the dish even healthier and colorful.

How to Make One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Brown the Chicken with Seasoning

Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped chicken pieces and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and the garlic powder. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes—you want the chicken to get nice golden spots but it doesn’t have to be fully cooked yet. This not only locks in flavor but ensures the chicken stays juicy. Once browned, remove from the pot and keep it covered on a plate to stay warm while you cook the rest.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base with Garlic and Marinara

In the same pot, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. This step wakes up the garlic without burning it—burnt garlic will turn bitter, so keep your eyes on it! Pour in your marinara sauce and water, bringing everything to a boil before turning the heat down to a high simmer. This creates the perfect cooking environment for your pasta.

Step 3: Add Pasta, Seasonings, and Chicken

Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste, uncooked pasta noodles, and the browned chicken. Give it a good stir so everything’s well combined and coated. Cover the pot, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes until the pasta is tender—stir occasionally to prevent sticking and keep an eye on the liquid level.

Step 4: Stir in Cheeses for Creamy Goodness

Once the pasta is perfectly tender, stir in the parmesan and half of the mozzarella cheese. They’ll melt into the sauce, making it wonderfully creamy and irresistibly cheesy.

Step 5: Add the Crispy Topping

While the pasta is cooking, mix melted butter with the breadcrumbs in a small bowl to coat them. Then, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the pasta and cover to let it melt. Finally, sprinkle the buttery breadcrumbs on top. If your pot or skillet is oven-safe, pop it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until the breadcrumbs toast to a golden brown. If not, toast the breadcrumbs in a separate pan on medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, before sprinkling on top.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Finish off by garnishing with fresh parsley, basil, or thyme and a bit of freshly cracked black pepper. Then dive in—this dish tastes best when it’s warm and melty!

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Pro Tips for Making One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe

Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Give the chicken room to brown well before adding other ingredients; it adds so much flavor.
Keep an Eye on Liquid Levels: Pasta absorbs liquid, so add water carefully to avoid a dry or soupy final dish.
Use Fresh Garlic Whenever You Can: It brightens the sauce better than garlic powder alone.
Broil Breadcrumbs with Caution: Stay close when broiling breadcrumbs—they toast fast and you don’t want them to burn.

How to Serve One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe

The image shows two white bowls of baked pasta on a white marbled surface, each filled with a layered dish made from curved pasta coated in a thick red tomato sauce. The pasta layer is mixed with melted cheese that peeks through in some spots, topped with a golden crumbly layer, likely toasted breadcrumbs, and sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs. A silver fork rests inside the front bowl, with some sauce on its tines, and a woman's hand gently holding a utensil is partially visible in the upper right corner. Small bits of herbs are scattered on the white marbled surface around the bowls. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta, easy chicken parmesan dinner, quick Italian pasta recipe, weeknight chicken pasta, hassle-free chicken parmesan

Garnishes

I always top this dish with fresh chopped parsley or basil—it adds a beautiful burst of color and fresh herbs contrast the rich, cheesy sauce perfectly. Sometimes I toss on a few red pepper flakes for a little heat, but that’s totally optional!

Side Dishes

Simple sides work best here. A crisp Caesar salad or steamed broccoli balances the richness nicely. I also love serving some garlic bread for soaking up every last bit of that sauce—talk about comfort food heaven.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like to garnish individual servings with a little extra parmesan and a drizzle of good quality olive oil. Serving it in rustic bowls with fresh basil leaves on top makes the dish feel extra special and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I’ve found that the flavors actually marry better overnight, making it even tastier the next day.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well if you want to make a big batch ahead of time. Just skip the breadcrumb topping before freezing; add it fresh when reheating so it stays crispy.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen up the sauce, then sprinkle fresh breadcrumbs and mozzarella on top, broiling briefly to refresh that crunchy topping.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta in this One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! While short pasta like penne, ziti, or cellentani are ideal because they hold the sauce well, you can use other pasta shapes you have on hand. Just keep in mind that very thin pasta like angel hair might cook too quickly and become mushy in this method.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?

Yes! To make it dairy-free, swap mozzarella and parmesan for your favorite plant-based cheese alternatives. For a vegan version, substitute chicken with chickpeas or tofu, and use vegan breadcrumbs.
How do I prevent the pasta from sticking to the pot in this one-pot recipe?

Be sure to stir the pasta and sauce occasionally while it cooks. Also, adding enough liquid (the water plus marinara) is key to preventing sticking. Keep the heat at a simmer rather than a rolling boil.
Is it necessary to broil the breadcrumb topping?

Broiling gives the breadcrumbs a wonderful crispy texture that contrasts with the creamy pasta, but if you don’t want to use your oven, you can toast the breadcrumbs in a pan and sprinkle them on top as is. The dish will still taste amazing!

Final Thoughts

This One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe is hands down one of my favorite dinner shortcuts that doesn’t sacrifice any of the comforting, cheesy goodness I crave. I love how it comes together in one pan, leaving room for more quality time with my family and less time scrubbing pots. If you give it a try, I think you’ll find it becomes a regular around your table just like it did mine—easy, satisfying, and downright delicious. Happy cooking!