Okay, confession time: some nights, the last thing I want to do is tackle a sink full of dishes. That’s where this Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet Recipe swoops in like a weeknight dinner superhero! Seriously, it’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like a kitchen rockstar with practically zero cleanup. I remember one crazy Tuesday when soccer practice ran late, homework was piling up, and dinner felt impossible. I threw this together in about 30 minutes and everyone devoured it. It’s now a regular, much-loved fixture in our rotation!
Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet Recipe
Seriously, what’s not to love about this dish? It’s genuinely a game-changer for busy weeknights. Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:
- Super Speedy: We’re talking dinner on the table in about 40 minutes, total!
- One-Pan Wonder: Less mess means more time for, well, anything else. Say goodbye to that mountain of dishes!
- Kid-Approved Flavor: It’s got all the comforting, cheesy, saucy goodness everyone adores.
- Simply Delicious: It tastes just like your favorite chicken parm, but way easier. Trust me on this one!
Ingredients for Your Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet Recipe
Alright, let’s get down to the good stuff! Here’s what you’ll need to make this amazing one-pan meal happen. Don’t worry, these are all super common things you probably already have lurking in your pantry or fridge.
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, all cut up into nice, bite-sized 1-inch pieces.
- 1 tablespoon of good ol’ olive oil.
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning – load it up!
- A good 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Because garlic.
- Just a pinch, 1/4 teaspoon, of salt.
- And another 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, freshly ground if you can.
- One big 24-ounce jar of your favorite marinara sauce. The better the sauce, the better the pasta!
- 8 ounces of pasta that hasn’t even seen the water yet. Penne or rotini are great, but use whatever you’ve got!
- 1 whole cup of shredded mozzarella cheese – gotta have that gooey factor.
- And 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese too. Salty, nutty goodness!
- If you’re feeling fancy, some fresh basil for a pop of green and freshness is totally optional but pretty.
How to Make the Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet Recipe: Step-by-Step
Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients ready, right? Awesome! Now comes the fun part – making this magic happen in just one pan. It’s super straightforward, I promise!
Seasoning and Browning the Chicken
First things first, let’s get that chicken seasoned up. Toss those bite-sized chicken pieces in a bowl with the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Just a quick toss to coat everything. Then, get a big skillet hot over medium-high heat and add the seasoned chicken. Let it cook until it’s nicely browned on all sides – this gives it amazing flavor and that little bit of texture we love!
Simmering the Sauce and Pasta
Now, pour that whole jar of marinara sauce right into the skillet with the chicken. Give it a good stir and let it come to a gentle simmer. Once it’s bubbling nicely, toss in your uncooked pasta. Give everything another good stir to make sure no pasta is sticking to the bottom. Pop a lid on the skillet, turn the heat down a bit so it’s simmering, and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes. Remember to stir it every now and then so the pasta cooks evenly and doesn’t clump up. You want the pasta to be al dente, meaning it still has a little bite, not mushy!
Melting the Cheesy Topping
Once the pasta looks just about perfect, carefully take off the lid. Now for the best part – sprinkle that shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese all over the top. It should look so good already! Put the lid back on for just another 2-3 minutes. This lets all that beautiful cheese melt into gooey, bubbly perfection. When you lift the lid and see that stringy, melted cheese, you’ll know you’re almost there!
Garnishing and Serving Your Masterpiece
And that’s practically it! If you’re using fresh basil, scatter some leaves over the top for a burst of freshness. Serve it right out of the skillet – it looks so rustic and enticing that way! This dish is fantastic on its own, or if you’re feeling extra, maybe whip up some quick garlic breadsticks to go with it. Enjoy every single cheesy bite!
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet
Even though this Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet recipe is super easy, I’ve picked up a few little tricks over the years to make it *absolutely* perfect every single time. And hey, if you love this one, you might also want to check out my Chicken Spaghetti recipe – another easy skillet winner!
Don’t Overcook the Pasta! The pasta keeps cooking even after you take the lid off, so aim for it to be just *barely* al dente when you check it. That little bit of bite will disappear as it simmers in the sauce. Trust me, mushy pasta is no one’s friend!
Sauce is Key: Use a good quality marinara sauce that you actually enjoy the taste of on its own. Since it’s the base for the whole dish, a bland sauce will result in a bland pasta. And don’t be afraid to add a *tiny* splash more if it looks too thick before the pasta is cooked – you want enough liquid for the pasta to absorb!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
When making this Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet, I’ve found a few things make a big difference, and there are always easy swaps if you need them! For the chicken, really any boneless, skinless cuts will do – thighs are great if you want a bit more flavor. Pasta-wise, honestly, whatever shape you have is fine! Penne, rotini, farfalle, even elbow macaroni works. Just make sure it’s a shape that holds sauce well. And the marinara sauce? Pick one you genuinely love the taste of because it’s the heart of this dish. If you like a little heat, a spicy marinara is a fantastic twist!
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Okay, so I get asked a lot about this wonderful skillet meal, and I’m happy to spill the beans! It’s perfect for those busy nights, but sometimes life throws a curveball, right? Here are some of the most common questions I get about my Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet Recipe.
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Absolutely! If you’re in a super tight spot, using a rotisserie chicken or any leftover cooked chicken totally works. Just shred or dice it up. You’ll want to add it *after* the marinara sauce and pasta have had a chance to simmer, just for the last 5 minutes or so, to warm it through without turning it rubbery. It’s a lifesaver!
How do I store leftovers?
Good news, this pasta is usually even better the next day! Let it cool down a bit, then pop it into an airtight container. You can keep it in the fridge for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Sometimes I add a tiny splash of water or broth when reheating to keep it nice and saucy!
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
Oh, for sure! You can totally make this a vegetarian delight. Just skip the chicken altogether! You could add some sautéed veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers when you’re browning the chicken (or just add them to the sauce if you’re going meat-free). Some folks even add a can of drained chickpeas or white beans for extra protein. So yummy!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutrition info below is an estimate, you know, based on the ingredients listed. Things can change a little depending on exactly what you use! But it gives you a good idea.
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: About 550
- Fat: Around 20g (with 7g of that being saturated)
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 50g
- Protein: A solid 40g
- Sodium: About 900mg
Share Your Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet Creations!
I just LOVE hearing from you all! Did you make my Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet? Tell me how it turned out in the comments below! Did you add your own little twist? I’d be thrilled if you’d rate the recipe or even share a picture on social media – just tag me so I can see your amazing creations! You can learn more about why I love sharing recipes just like this one over here. Happy cooking!
Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy one-pan chicken parmesan pasta dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat the seasoned chicken over medium-high heat until browned on all sides.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the uncooked pasta. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the lid and sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Cover again and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
- You can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Adjust the amount of marinara sauce based on your preference for sauciness.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: chicken parmesan pasta, skillet pasta, one pan dinner, easy pasta recipe, Italian pasta