Description
Comfort meets elegance in this chicken parmesan pasta skillet, blending classic Italian flavors with modern culinary flair. Rich marinara, crispy chicken, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that brings warmth and joy to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds chicken breasts
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta
- 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Cheese:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/3 cup shredded parmesan
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until perfectly tender yet firm, carefully extracting and preserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before straining.
- Generously season chicken pieces with herbs and spices, then sauté in hot olive oil until golden and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, blending in parmesan cheese, cooked pasta, and reserved cooking liquid. Allow mixture to gently simmer and meld flavors for 4-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly across the surface, covering the skillet and letting the residual heat melt the cheese into a luxurious, creamy topping for 5 minutes.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection Reserve some starchy pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that coats every noodle beautifully.
- Chicken Browning Technique Pat chicken pieces dry before cooking to ensure a golden, crispy exterior that locks in juicy flavor.
- Dietary Swap Options Use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version or swap chicken with plant-based protein for a vegetarian twist.
- Cheese Melting Hack Let mozzarella sit covered off heat to create a perfectly melted, stretchy cheese topping without overcooking the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 61g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg