Description
Comfort meets Italian charm in this chicken parmesan pasta skillet, blending crispy chicken with rich marinara and melted cheese. Hearty, satisfying flavors meld perfectly, making you crave another comforting bite of this classic dinner favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta and Sauce Components:
- 2 cups uncooked penne or rotini pasta
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for a creamier sauce)
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Drizzle olive oil into a spacious skillet, allowing it to warm and shimmer over medium-high heat.
- Carefully introduce chicken pieces to the hot surface, generously coating with a blend of aromatic seasonings including salt, cracked pepper, fragrant garlic powder, and robust Italian herbs.
- Sauté the chicken with occasional gentle stirring, ensuring each piece develops a golden-brown exterior while maintaining tender, succulent interior – approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a waiting plate, preserving its warmth and delectable flavor profile.
- In the same skillet, leverage the remaining flavorful drippings to create a rich cooking environment for subsequent ingredients.
- Introduce marinara sauce and uncooked pasta directly into the skillet, allowing them to meld and simmer together.
- Cover the skillet and let the ingredients gently cook, stirring periodically to prevent sticking and ensure even pasta absorption.
- Once pasta reaches an al dente consistency, nestle the previously cooked chicken pieces back into the sauce.
- Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese across the surface, creating a luxurious melted blanket.
- Remove from heat and let the residual warmth complete the cheese melting process, creating a harmonious, comforting dish.
Notes
- Adjust chicken thickness by pounding to ensure even cooking and faster preparation time.
- Swap chicken for tofu or plant-based protein alternatives to create a vegetarian version of the dish.
- Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like mozzarella, provolone, or fontina for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg