One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta

One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta combines everything you love about classic chicken Parmesan—tender chicken, rich marinara sauce, melty cheese, and perfectly seasoned pasta—into a single, effortless dish. No breading, no frying, no multiple pots. Just simple comfort food with big Italian flavor, all made in one pot!

It’s the perfect weeknight dinner when you want something hearty, cheesy, and fast.


⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • One pot = minimal cleanup
  • Ready in 30 minutes
  • Family-friendly Italian comfort
  • Creamy, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying
  • Budget-friendly ingredients

📝 Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1 ½ lbs chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Pasta & Sauce

  • 3–4 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells work great)
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup heavy cream (optional but makes it extra creamy)
  • ½ cup grated parmesan

Cheese Topping

  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
  • Fresh basil or parsley (optional)

🍳 Instructions

1. Season & Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet. Add diced chicken and season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until lightly browned and mostly cooked through.

2. Add Garlic

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Add Sauce, Broth & Pasta

Pour in marinara sauce and chicken broth. Add pasta and stir to submerge all noodles.

4. Simmer

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.

5. Make It Creamy

Stir in heavy cream and parmesan. Mix until smooth and creamy.

6. Add Melty Cheese

Sprinkle mozzarella over the pasta. Cover for 2–3 minutes until melted, or broil the top for a browned, bubbly finish.

7. Garnish & Serve

Top with fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot!


💡 Tips for Success

  • Use a good marinara—it makes all the difference.
  • Stir occasionally so pasta doesn’t stick.
  • Add more broth if you like a thinner sauce.
  • Broil the top for an authentic Chicken Parmesan finish.

🍽️ What to Serve With It

  • Garlic bread
  • Caesar salad
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Caprese salad
  • Steamed broccoli

🔄 Variations

  • Breaded Twist: Add toasted breadcrumbs on top for a “breaded” feel.
  • Vegetable Version: Add spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
  • Spicy: Add red pepper flakes when cooking the chicken.
  • Low-Carb: Swap pasta for zucchini noodles (add at the end and cook only 2–3 minutes).

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator:

Store up to 3–4 days in an airtight container.

Freezer:

Freeze up to 2 months (pasta may soften slightly).

Reheating:

Reheat on stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.


❤️ Final Thoughts

One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta is everything you love about Italian comfort food wrapped into one simple, cheesy, flavorful dish. It’s perfect for busy nights, easy enough for beginners, and guaranteed to satisfy even picky eaters.

Print
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One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta


  • Author: WAFA LI

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1″ cubes
• 8 oz penne or rotini (or chickpea pasta for +10g protein; omit for lower-carb & add zucchini at the end)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or 3 cups homemade)
• 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)


Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper; sear 4–5 mins until golden (not fully cooked). Remove and set aside.
  2. In same pot, sauté garlic 30 sec until fragrant. Add pasta, marinara, broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
  3. Return chicken (and any juices) to pot. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook 12–14 mins, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Stir in Parmesan. Top evenly with mozzarella. Cover and let melt 2–3 mins (or broil 1–2 mins for golden top).
  5. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.

PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time: 10 mins, Cook Time: 20 mins, Total Time: 30 mins, Servings: 6
Calories: 460, Net Carbs: 42g, Fats: 18g, Protein: 36g
Lower-carb option: Skip pasta, add 3 cups spiralized zucchini in last 5 mins — net carbs drop to ~10g/serving.

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