Description
One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a flavorful and easy-to-make Italian-inspired dish combining tender chicken, pasta, marinara sauce, and melted cheeses all cooked in one pot for convenience and great taste. This hearty meal is perfect for busy weeknights, delivering the classic flavors of Chicken Parmesan in a simple, cheesy pasta format with a crispy breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 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
Pasta and Sauce
- 16 ounces short pasta noodles such as penne, ziti, or cellentani
- 30 ounce jar of your favorite marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
Cheeses and Topping
- 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)
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh parsley, basil, or thyme
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped chicken pieces and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Sauté, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until the chicken is browned but not completely cooked through. Remove chicken and cover to keep warm.
- Sauté garlic and add sauce: Add minced garlic to the same pot and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce and water, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add pasta and season: Reduce heat to a high simmer. Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste, uncooked pasta noodles, and the partially cooked chicken. Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Cook pasta: Cover the pot and let the pasta simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the flavors.
- Incorporate cheeses: Stir in the parmesan cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella while the pasta is still hot, allowing the cheeses to melt and create a creamy texture.
- Prepare breadcrumb topping: Meanwhile, combine the melted butter and breadcrumbs in a bowl, stirring until the crumbs are well coated.
- Add toppings and broil: Spread the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta. Cover and let the cheese melt. Then sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top and transfer the pot to the oven on the broil setting. Broil for 1-2 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden and toasted. If your pot is not oven-safe, toast the breadcrumbs separately in a pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes and then sprinkle over the pasta.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or thyme, add cracked black pepper if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- This dish is quick and convenient, making it perfect for weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.
- Using an oven-safe pot allows for easy broiling of breadcrumbs right on top of the pasta.
- Feel free to customize the herbs according to your preference for garnish.
- Breadcrumbs add a delightful crunchy contrast to the creamy cheesy pasta.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for a satisfying next-day meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 687 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1300 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 73 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 99 mg
