Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this one-pot chicken parmesan mac & cheese, blending Italian-American flavors into a creamy, cheesy masterpiece. Rich parmesan, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta will make you crave this irresistible skillet sensation again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta and Base:
- 2 ½ cups elbow macaroni (or small pasta of choice)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Topping:
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Prep the protein by searing seasoned chicken pieces in a spacious skillet until golden and thoroughly cooked. Transfer the meat to a separate plate while maintaining the flavorful pan residue.
- Transform the same skillet into a pasta-cooking vessel by introducing broth and milk. Nestle uncooked pasta into the liquid, allowing it to simmer gently and absorb the savory mixture until tender and creamy.
- Reintroduce the cooked chicken into the pasta landscape, then cascade marinara sauce across the surface. Blanket the entire creation with mozzarella and Parmesan, stirring until a luxurious, melted harmony emerges.
- Craft a crunchy crown by blending panko, melted butter, additional Parmesan, and Italian herbs into a textural topping mixture.
- Position the skillet beneath the broiler, monitoring closely as the breadcrumb layer transforms into a crackling, amber-hued crust; approximately 2-3 minutes of intense heat.
- Allow the dish to rest momentarily, permitting flavors to harmonize and temperature to moderate. Optionally embellish with fresh herb sprinkles before presenting this rustic, comfort-driven meal.
Notes
- Select chicken breasts of even thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a better golden-brown exterior and enhance flavor absorption.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
- Adjust pasta cooking time based on specific pasta shape and package instructions for perfect al dente texture.
- For a gluten-free version, replace regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives and use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like adding sharp cheddar or provolone for more complex flavor profiles.
- Substitute marinara with arrabbiata sauce for a spicier kick or vodka sauce for added richness.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated with a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency.
- For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of some milk and opt for reduced-fat cheese options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg