Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Chicken parmesan pasta combines tender chicken, tangy marinara sauce, and a generous amount of cheese. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting a dinner party, this recipe is sure to impress.
This is an easy yet flavorful meal that looks as good as it tastes. Enjoy the comforting flavor of chicken parmesan pasta for lunch, dinner, or even as leftovers! Are you looking for a meatless option? meatless stuffed manicotti is another one of my go-to Meals.
What you’ll love about Chicken Parmesan Pasta:
Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- 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
Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe
- 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 & Tricks for Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste preferences. You can add more or less Italian seasoning and garlic powder depending on your preference for herbs and spices.
- Short pasta varieties such as ziti, rigatoni, penne, or cavatappi work well in this recipe. Choose your favorite or use what you have on hand.
- An oven-safe skillet is required for this recipe as it will be finished under the broiler.
- Searing the chicken before adding it to the sauce adds a nice flavor and texture to the dish. Make sure not to overcook the chicken at this stage as it will continue cooking with the pasta later.
- Stir the pasta frequently while cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- After adding the shredded Parmesan cheese, make sure it melts and blends well into the sauce before proceeding. This will help create a creamy and cheesy texture.
- The melted butter and Italian-style breadcrumbs give the dish a delightful crunchy crust when broiled. Adjust the amount of breadcrumbs according to your preference.
- Keep a close eye on the dish while it is under the broiler to prevent burning. The cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the breadcrumbs should be golden brown.
- Allow the skillet to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil for added freshness and visual appeal.
FAQs Chicken Parmesan Pasta
More Recipes
Chicken Parmesan pasta
Chicken parmesan pasta combines tender chicken, tangy marinara sauce, and a generous amount of cheese. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting a dinner party, this recipe is sure to impress. This is an easy yet flavorful meal that looks as good as it tastes. Enjoy the comforting flavor of chicken parmesan pasta for lunch, dinner, or even as leftovers!
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!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 811Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 806mgCarbohydrates: 78gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 52g