Simple, easy to stock ingredients create this tasty one-pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta. A quick, family-friendly meal perfect for a busy day.
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As summer turns to fall and household routines change, easy one-pot meals become a vital component to getting dinner on the table.
This Chicken Parmesan Pasta is not only incredibly easy to prepare, it’s a cozy skillet full of deliciousness that is a perfect choice any time of year but especially as we head into fall weather and busier days. When the temperature drops I instantly begin craving warm, comforting pasta dishes.
I’m a little obsessed with one pot meals like this one, especially when they involve pasta. Just throw the dry, uncooked pasta straight in and it all cooks up perfectly. The result is wonderful and clean up is a breeze.
Ingredients
- Any short, dry pasta will work well in this recipe. I used medium shells (conchiglie), but penne, fusilli, mezze (small) rigatoni, or ziti are all good choices.
- Dry spices – thyme, rosemary, and oregano – pack a punch but garnishing the dish with fresh basil at the end adds a bright, fresh element.
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in 12-inch, oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring for a couple of minutes.
- Season the chicken with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon each of dried thyme, rosemary, and oregano.
- Cook, stirring, until the chicken is just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer chicken to a dish and set aside.
- Add a bit more olive oil to the pan, if necessary, and return pan to medium heat. Add garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook and stir about 1 minute, until garlic is fragrant being careful not to allow it to burn.
- Add the marinara, chicken broth, and water.
- Add the dry, uncooked pasta to the pan, stirring to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a low boil, then cover the pan and reduce heat slightly to keep it at a low simmer. Cook just until the pasta is al dente, cooked but still firm to the bite.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and the cooked chicken. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if necessary, and remove the pan from the heat.
- Sprinkle the top evenly with the mozzarella cheese and the additional Parmesan cheese.
- I like to finish the dish by transferring the pan to a hot oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese and allow it to set up a bit. If you don’t want to turn on your oven, just cover the pan again and keep it over low heat until the cheese melts.
- Garnish with fresh basil just before serving.
This easy as can be, one skillet pasta dish is precisely what is in order when you know you’ve got a busy day coming. Or, anytime you just need a pasta fix!
More Easy One Pot Pasta Recipes
- Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
- Skillet Sausage Pasta
- Chicken and Spinach Skillet Pasta
- One Pot Cheesy Salsa Beef Pasta
- One Pot Lemon Chicken with Orzo
This post was originally published on December 7, 2013. It has been updated with new text and images.
Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 25 ounces marinara sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 12 ounces dry uncooked short pasta (4 cups), medium shells (comnchiglie), penne, fusilli, mezze (small) rigatoni, or ziti
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. (See optional stovetop only directions below).
- Heat oil in 12-inch oven-proof skillet over MEDIUM heat. Add the chicken. Cook and stir for a couple of minutes and then sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon each of thyme, rosemary, and oregano. Cook, stirring, until the chicken is just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a dish and set aside.
- Add a bit more olive oil to the pan, if necessary, and return the pan to MEDIUM heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook and stir about 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to allow it to burn. Add the marinara, chicken broth, water, and pasta to the pan, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then cover the pan and reduce the heat slightly to keep it at a low simmer. Cook for 12 to 14 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.
- When the pasta is tender, remove the cover and stir in 3/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese and the cooked chicken. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Sprinkle the top evenly with the mozzarella cheese and the remaining Parmesan cheese. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. If preferred you can complete this on the stove by covering the pan and keeping it over LOW heat until the cheese has melted.
- Remove the pan from the oven (or stove) and sprinkle with fresh basil just before serving.
Notes
- Any short, dry pasta will work well in this recipe. I used medium shells (conchiglie), but penne, fusilli, mezzi rigatoni (short rigatoni), or ziti are all good choices.
- Dry spices – thyme, rosemary, and oregano – pack a punch but garnishing the dish with fresh basil at the end adds a bright, fresh element.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
Like this? Please rate & comment below!Adapted from Tracy’s Culinary Adventures
Although I appreciate the nutritional information given I still have questions. The calories listed on all of your recipes don’t say if they are “per serving” nor do they state how much a serving consists of. My husband and I are counting calories. I like the ease of the recipes and the ease of clean up
The calories on all recipes are calculated per serving and the number of servings is listed. Since this pasta serves 6, The nutrition calculation is for 1/6 of the casserole. Hope this helps!
Was just thinking of you today after reading the news of all the wild fires out in Oregon. I hope you and your family are out of harms way and safe.
We are just on the other side of the evacuation zone but hopeful that we’ll be able to stay put. Thanks so much for thinking of us, Gail!
your ad for your mailing list takes up half my screen. I’d need to actually READ and SEE your blog before I’d ever sign up for a mailing list…
I’m not sure what ad you are referring to, Sophia. I have a small icon on the upper right of the screen to sign up for the mailing list. If you see this ad again, please note what it says and let me know. Thanks!
Found this recipe on pinterest and boy does it look delcious! I love chicken parm but have never made in a 1 pot deal (I’m all for less dishes!). I just starting following you on twitter and can’t wait to see what you’re up to next. 🙂
Hello and welcome, Tina! If you try it, be sure to let me know how it turns out for you.
One pot for the win! This looks delicious!!
yes! such a perfect, comforting, delicious dish!!! I love me some pasta!