Here’s my go-to one pot chicken parmesan pasta recipe that combines classic Italian flavors with the convenience of a single pan. Everything cooks together – the pasta, sauce, chicken, and cheese – making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something good but don’t want to wash a sink full of dishes.
This dish has become my family’s regular Monday night dinner because it’s so simple to make and everyone cleans their plate. I usually serve it with some garlic bread on the side, and there’s rarely any leftovers for lunch the next day!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- One-pot convenience – Everything cooks in a single pot, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your evening. No need to juggle multiple pans or dirty your entire kitchen.
- Quick preparation – Ready in under an hour, this pasta dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
- Kid-friendly meal – With familiar ingredients like chicken, pasta, and cheese, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family – no complaints at the dinner table!
- Pantry-friendly ingredients – Most of these ingredients are kitchen staples you probably already have on hand, making this an easy go-to meal when you need dinner inspiration.
- Restaurant quality at home – You get all the flavors of traditional chicken parmesan in an easier, more casual format – complete with that melty cheese and Italian-seasoned breadcrumb topping.
What Kind of Pasta Should I Use?
Short pasta shapes are the way to go for this one-pot dish, as they cook evenly and catch all that delicious sauce in their nooks and crannies. While the recipe suggests penne, ziti, or cellentani, you could also use rotini, fusilli, or bow ties – just make sure to pick a sturdy pasta that can hold up during the cooking process. Regular dry pasta works perfectly here, but if you’re using whole wheat pasta, you might need to adjust the cooking time and liquid amount slightly since it typically takes a few minutes longer to cook. Just keep an eye on the pasta as it cooks and add a splash more water if needed.
Options for Substitutions
This easy one-pot meal is pretty flexible with substitutions. Here’s what you can swap:
- Chicken breasts: You can easily use chicken thighs instead – they actually stay a bit more juicy! Or make it vegetarian by using mushrooms or chickpeas in place of the chicken.
- Short pasta: Any short pasta works here! Try rotini, bow ties, or even medium shells. Just avoid long pasta like spaghetti as it won’t cook as evenly in this one-pot method.
- Italian spice mix: No Italian seasoning? Mix equal parts dried basil, oregano, and thyme. A pinch of rosemary works too!
- Mozzarella cheese: Feel free to use provolone or fontina cheese instead. For a different twist, try using fresh mozzarella – just add it at the very end.
- Breadcrumbs: Out of breadcrumbs? Crush some crackers or even cornflakes! Or skip the crunchy top altogether – it’ll still taste great.
- Marinara sauce: Any tomato-based pasta sauce works here. You can even use crushed tomatoes mixed with Italian herbs if you’re in a pinch.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge with one-pot pasta dishes is getting the liquid ratio just right – too much water will make your sauce watery, while too little will leave you with undercooked pasta, so stick exactly to the 3 cups mentioned in the recipe and resist the urge to add more. Adding cold chicken to the pot can lead to uneven cooking, so let your diced chicken pieces come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking, and season them well with salt and pepper. To prevent the pasta from sticking together, make sure to stir the pot every few minutes, especially in the first 5-7 minutes of cooking when the pasta starts to release its starch. For the best cheese pull and texture, avoid adding all the cheese at once – instead, stir in half during cooking and save the rest for topping right before broiling, which will give you that perfect golden-brown crust.
What to Serve With Chicken Parmesan Pasta?
Since this one-pot meal already includes pasta, protein, and sauce, you’ll want to balance it out with some lighter sides. A simple green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette or some roasted broccoli makes the perfect partner for this hearty dish. If you’re feeling extra hungry, warm garlic bread is always welcome at the table – it’s perfect for soaking up any extra sauce! For a complete Italian-inspired meal, you could start with a small bowl of soup like Italian wedding or minestrone, though honestly, this filling pasta dish can easily stand on its own.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: This one pot chicken parmesan pasta is perfect for leftovers! Pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The pasta might absorb more sauce as it sits, but that just means more flavor in every bite.
Freeze: Want to save some for later? Let the pasta cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It’ll stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just keep in mind the pasta might be a bit softer when thawed, but the flavor will still be there!
Reheat: To warm up your leftovers, add a splash of water or marinara sauce and heat it in the microwave, stirring every minute or so. For best results, you can also reheat it in a pan over medium-low heat. If you want to bring back some crunch, sprinkle fresh breadcrumbs on top before serving.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 25-35 minutes |
| Total Time | 35-50 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1800-2000
- Protein: 120-140 g
- Fat: 100-110 g
- Carbohydrates: 170-190 g
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons italian spice mix (split)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 16 ounces of short pasta, like penne, ziti, or cellentani
- 1 jar (30 ounces) of your favorite marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 ⅓ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (portion kept separate)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper, to your taste
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ½ cup italian-style breadcrumbs (or plain breadcrumbs with 1/2 teaspoon italian spice)
- Optional: fresh parsley, basil, or thyme for decoration
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
In a large pot or deep skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add chicken pieces and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
Stir and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes.
It’s okay if the chicken is not completely cooked through at this point.
Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover it to keep warm.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In the same pan, add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant.
Stir in the marinara sauce and water, and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to maintain a high simmer.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste, uncooked pasta noodles, and the partially cooked chicken back into the pan.
Stir everything together well.
Cover the pan and cook for 10-15 minutes until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally as needed.
Step 4: Add Cheese and Prepare Topping
Once the pasta is tender, stir in the Parmesan cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese until melted and well combined.
In a separate bowl, combine butter and breadcrumbs, stirring to fully coat the breadcrumbs.
Step 5: Final Touches and Broiling
Top the pasta with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Cover the pan and allow the cheese to melt.
Sprinkle the prepared breadcrumb mixture over the top of the pasta.
Transfer the pan to the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes until the breadcrumbs are toasted.
If your pot or skillet is not oven-safe, you can toast the breadcrumbs separately in a pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes before adding them to the pasta.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once the breadcrumbs are toasted, remove the dish from the oven.
Garnish with fresh herbs and cracked black pepper, if desired, before serving.
Enjoy your flavorful and hearty pasta dish!