Description
This One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is an easy, comforting meal combining tender chicken, perfectly cooked penne pasta, and rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. This hassle-free recipe comes together in just one pan, making both cooking and cleanup a breeze. Ideal for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying Italian-inspired dish without the fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Vegetables
- 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced (about 1 pound)
- 1 cup finely diced white or yellow onion (about ½ large onion)
- 1-2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ cups water
- 16 oz. jar of pasta sauce
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 oz. penne pasta
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 2 oz.)
- 1 ½ – 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese (about 4 oz.)
Garnish
- Fresh basil and oregano for garnish
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat to prepare for sautéing the chicken and vegetables.
- Sauté Chicken and Onions: Add diced chicken breast and diced onion to the skillet. Cook until the chicken is opaque and the onions are soft and translucent, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; a slight browning is fine.
- Add Water and Pasta: Pour in 1 ½ cups water and the penne pasta. Press the pasta down to submerge it as much as possible under the water for even cooking.
- Add Pasta Sauce: Pour the jar of pasta sauce over the skillet contents, spreading it evenly to cover any dry spots of pasta.
- Bring to Boil: Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer Covered: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid. Let it cook for 15 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the liquids and cook through.
- Preheat Broiler: While the pasta cooks, turn on your oven’s broiler to prepare for melting the cheese topping.
- Check Pasta and Stir Cheese: Remove the lid and check that the pasta is fully cooked. If needed, simmer a bit longer. Stir in ½ cup of parmesan cheese into the pasta mixture.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining parmesan and all the mozzarella cheese evenly over the surface of the cooked pasta in the skillet.
- Broil Cheese: Place the skillet under the broiler for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle chopped fresh basil and oregano over the top. Serve immediately while hot and cheesy.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet to go from stovetop to broiler without transferring the dish.
- Adjust cooking time slightly if using different pasta shapes or thickness.
- Fresh herbs add a bright flavor; alternatively, dried herbs can be used but add before cooking.
- For extra flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning when sautéing the onions and chicken.
- If you prefer a lower fat version, reduce the amount of cheese or use part-skim mozzarella.
