If you are looking for a cozy, comforting dinner that brings the classic flavors of Italian cuisine into one simple dish, you have to try this One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe. It combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with perfectly cooked penne pasta, all enveloped in a rich marinara sauce and topped off with melty mozzarella and sharp Parmesan cheese. The joy of this recipe is that everything cooks together in a single pot, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor with every bite. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this pasta dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe uses straightforward ingredients that come together beautifully. Each element is essential, bringing balance in taste, texture, and color to make your meal vibrant and delicious.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The protein base that, once seasoned and browned, adds juicy, savory depth.
- Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning: A classic blend of spices to infuse your chicken with robust Italian flavors.
- Olive oil: A heart-healthy fat that helps brown the chicken and carries the garlic’s aroma.
- Minced garlic: Adds a fragrant punch that wakes up the whole dish.
- Marinara sauce: The rich tomato foundation that gives the pasta its signature savory tang.
- Chicken broth: Helps cook the pasta perfectly and enhances the overall flavor depth.
- Penne pasta: Holds the sauce wonderfully and provides the perfect bite.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey perfection, bringing creamy richness to every forkful.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty kick that complements the other cheeses beautifully.
- Fresh basil leaves: A bright, herbal garnish that finishes the dish with color and freshness.
How to Make One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by generously seasoning your chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. This spice blend is the heart of the dish’s flavor that will permeate the chicken during cooking.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook them until they develop a golden brown crust on both sides. This step locks in juices and builds the base flavor. Once browned, remove the chicken and set it aside momentarily.
Step 3: Sauté the Garlic
In the same pot, add minced garlic and cook it for about one minute until it becomes fragrant. The garlic will infuse the oil with a savory aroma that complements the marinara and broth you’ll add next.
Step 4: Add Sauce, Broth, and Pasta
Pour in the marinara sauce and chicken broth, then stir in the penne pasta. Bring everything to a gentle simmer; this gives the pasta a chance to soak up all the savory sauce flavors while cooking.
Step 5: Return Chicken and Simmer
Slice the browned chicken into bite-sized pieces and add them back into the pot. Cover and let everything cook together for about 12 to 15 minutes until the pasta is tender and fully infused with the sauce. This step blends all the flavors harmoniously.
Step 6: Add the Cheeses
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the hot pasta and chicken. Cover the pot once more to allow the cheeses to melt perfectly, creating a luscious, cheesy topping that pulls everyone in for seconds.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, scatter fresh basil leaves on top for a burst of herbal brightness and a pop of color that makes the dish as beautiful as it is delicious.
How to Serve One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil is classic, but if you want to mix things up, try a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for heat or a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil for silkiness. Grated Parmesan on the table invites guests to add an extra cheesy touch if desired.
Side Dishes
This One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe is hearty enough to be a full meal alone, but it pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts. Garlic bread or a warm baguette also work excellently to mop up any leftover sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, serve the pasta in individual mini cast-iron skillets or elegant bowls to keep the cheese melted and bubbly. Adding a lemon wedge on the side can also brighten the dish with a fresh zing that contrasts beautifully with the rich sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld nicely overnight, making for an even tastier lunch the next day.
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you want to save portions for later. Place cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating to keep the pasta from drying out and to revive that saucy goodness.
FAQs
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Absolutely! While penne works wonderfully because it holds sauce well, you can swap in rigatoni, fusilli, or even bow ties depending on what you have on hand.
Is this recipe suitable for weeknight meals?
Definitely! The One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe is perfect for a quick, fuss-free weeknight dinner since it requires just a single pot and only about 35 minutes from start to finish.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
You can substitute the chicken with hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant to create a vegetarian version that still captures the essence of chicken Parmesan flavors.
How spicy is this recipe?
It’s mild and kid-friendly as written, but you can add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce during cooking if you prefer a little heat.
What cheese works best besides mozzarella and Parmesan?
Provolone or fontina can add a creamy twist and different depth of flavor if you want to experiment, but mozzarella and Parmesan remain the classic duo for this dish.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe, it’s going to become a staple in your dinner rotation. It’s comforting, packed with flavor, and remarkably simple, plus the beauty of cooking everything in one pot means less time cleaning up and more time enjoying the meal with loved ones. Give it a go and savor every cheesy, saucy bite!
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One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta combines the classic flavors of Chicken Parmesan in a convenient, single pot meal. Tender chicken breasts seasoned with Italian spices are browned and then simmered with penne pasta in a rich marinara sauce and chicken broth. Finished with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and garnished with fresh basil, this dish is a comforting and easy-to-make dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce & Pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz penne pasta
Cheese & Garnish
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Rub this seasoning mix evenly over the boneless, skinless chicken breasts to prepare for cooking.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook until browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same pot, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently so the garlic doesn’t burn.
- Add sauce and pasta: Pour in the marinara sauce and chicken broth, then stir in the penne pasta. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook chicken and pasta together: Slice the browned chicken breasts into pieces and add them back into the pot. Cover the pot and let everything cook together until the pasta is tender and the chicken is cooked through, approximately 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Melt cheeses: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly over the pasta and chicken. Cover again and let the cheeses melt, about 3-5 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the pot from heat. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for bright flavor and color. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting one-pot meal!
Notes
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor; you can substitute with dried basil if fresh is unavailable.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- If you prefer a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half before adding the cheese.
- Ensure the pot is large enough to accommodate the liquids and pasta expanding as it cooks.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
