Chicken Parmesan Pasta combines tender pieces of chicken, pasta, marinara sauce, Parmesan, and mozzarella in one skillet. It’s finished under the broiler with buttery Italian breadcrumbs for a crispy, cheesy topping inspired by classic Chicken Parmesan.
This is the kind of dinner I make when I’m craving Chicken Parmesan but don’t want to bread and fry individual chicken cutlets. Everything cooks together in one skillet, and that buttery breadcrumb topping still gives me the crispy texture that makes Chicken Parmesan so good.
Why I Love Chicken Parmesan Pasta:
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Olive Oil: Divided for cooking the chicken and preparing the breadcrumb topping.
- Chicken Breasts: Cut into 1-inch pieces so they cook quickly and evenly.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds classic Italian herb flavor to the chicken.
- Garlic Powder: Seasons the chicken and adds extra garlic flavor.
- Fresh Garlic: Minced garlic adds flavor to the sauce and pasta.
- Short Pasta: Ziti, rigatoni, penne, or cavatappi all work well and hold onto the sauce.
- Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite jarred marinara for an easy shortcut.
- Water: Helps cook the pasta right in the skillet without boiling it separately.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, cheesy flavor throughout the pasta.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts over the pasta for that classic Chicken Parmesan cheesy topping.
- Butter: Mixed with the breadcrumbs to help them become golden and crispy.
- Italian-Style Breadcrumbs: Create the crispy topping without having to bread and fry the chicken.
- Fresh Parsley: Optional, but adds a fresh finish and a little color.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- In a bowl, coat the chicken pieces with half of the olive oil, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken to the skillet and sear on all sides until browned. This step is to brown the chicken, not fully cook it. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Saute the minced garlic until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
- Add the marinara sauce and water to the skillet, mixing well. Bring the sauce to a boil.
- Add the uncooked pasta and browned chicken back to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover the skillet and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Decrease the heat to low. Stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese until melted and well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter and Italian-style breadcrumbs.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta and chicken mixture in the skillet. Then, sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs over the cheese.
- Place the skillet under the broiler in your oven until the cheese has melted and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil for added freshness. Enjoy!
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Cut the chicken evenly: Keep the pieces close to 1 inch so they cook at the same rate.
- Don’t overcook the chicken: It will continue cooking with the pasta, so avoid cooking it too long during the first step.
- Stir the pasta occasionally: This keeps it from sticking to the bottom of the skillet while it cooks in the sauce.
- Keep an eye on the liquid: If the pasta needs more time but the skillet is getting dry, add a small splash of water.
- Watch the broiler closely: The breadcrumb and cheese topping can go from golden brown to burned quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Chicken Recipes I Love 💙
Yield: 4
Chicken Parmesan pasta
No Ratings
Chicken Parmesan Pasta combines tender chicken, pasta, marinara sauce, Parmesan, mozzarella, and crispy breadcrumbs in one skillet.lavor of chicken parmesan pasta for lunch, dinner, or even as leftovers!
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, Divided
- 2-3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut Into 1-Inch Pieces
- 2 Teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 3 Garlic Cloves, Minced
- 12 Ounces Short Pasta, Such as Ziti, Rigatoni, Penne, or Cavatappi
- 2 (15 Ounce) Jars Marinara Sauce
- 2 Cups Water
- ½ Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese
- 3 Tablespoons Melted Butter
- ½ Cup Italian Style Breadcrumbs
- Chopped Fresh Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, coat the chicken pieces with half of the olive oil, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken to the skillet and sear on all sides until browned. This step is to brown the chicken, not fully cook it. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Saute the minced garlic until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
- Add the marinara sauce and water to the skillet, mixing well. Bring the sauce to a boil.
- Add the uncooked pasta and browned chicken back to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover the skillet and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Decrease the heat to low. Stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese until melted and well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and Italian-style breadcrumbs.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta and chicken mixture in the skillet. Then, sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs over the cheese.
- Place the skillet under the broiler in your oven until the cheese has melted and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil for added freshness. Enjoy!
Notes
Use an oven-safe skillet since the pasta is finished under the broiler. Stir the pasta occasionally while it cooks, and add a splash of water if needed. Watch closely while broiling so the cheese and breadcrumbs don't burn.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 763Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 21gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 1505mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 10gSugar: 7gProtein: 37g
