Description
Comfort meets classic Italian flavors in this chicken parmesan pasta masterpiece, blending crispy chicken with rich marinara and melted cheese. Pasta lovers will savor each forkful of golden-crusted chicken nestled among perfectly al dente noodles, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can’t resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
Main Carbohydrates:
- 2 cups (473 ml) cooked pasta (penne or rigatoni)
Cheese and Sauce:
- 1 cup (240 ml) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) marinara sauce
Seasonings and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet with olive oil, carefully introducing diced chicken seasoned with aromatic garlic powder, robust Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Sauté the chicken pieces until they transform into a golden-brown delight, ensuring complete cooking throughout.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, allowing the liquid to meld with the crispy chicken, creating a rich, harmonious base.
- Let the sauce gently simmer for several minutes, developing deep, concentrated flavors.
- Introduce the pre-cooked pasta into the skillet, delicately tossing and coating each strand with the savory sauce.
- Generously cascade mozzarella and parmesan cheese across the top of the dish, creating a tempting blanket of dairy goodness.
- Cover the skillet, enabling the cheese to melt into a creamy, luxurious layer that embraces the pasta and chicken.
- Once the cheese reaches a perfect molten state, remove from heat and scatter freshly chopped basil leaves for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
- Serve immediately, presenting a steaming plate of comforting, cheese-laden chicken parmesan pasta.
Notes
- Opt for skinless, boneless chicken breasts for quicker cooking and easier preparation.
- Use low-sodium marinara sauce to control salt levels and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Experiment with gluten-free pasta options like chickpea or zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative.
- For extra flavor, toast the herbs briefly in the olive oil before adding chicken to enhance their aromatic qualities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg