Description
Comforting chicken parmesan pasta brings classic Italian-American flavors to your dinner table. Cheesy layers of crispy chicken, marinara sauce, and al dente pasta create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in boiling water according to package instructions until perfectly tender, then drain and reserve.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, seasoning chicken cubes thoroughly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook chicken pieces, stirring occasionally, until achieving a golden exterior and complete internal doneness (approximately 6-7 minutes).
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, allowing it to gently simmer and develop rich flavors for 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate cooked pasta into the skillet, tossing carefully to ensure each strand is evenly coated with the savory sauce.
- Generously distribute mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the top of the pasta mixture, then cover and let cheese melt completely (around 2 minutes).
- Transfer to serving plates immediately while hot, optionally garnishing with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic finishing touch.
Notes
- Boost protein power by using chicken breast tenders for quicker, more even cooking.
- Create a gluten-free version by swapping regular pasta with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for added nutrition.
- Reduce cooking time by pre-cutting chicken into smaller, uniform pieces that cook faster and develop a better golden-brown exterior.
- Make this dish healthier by using low-fat mozzarella and reducing the amount of cheese while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg