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This simple and easy-to-make Chicken parmesan pasta recipe is so flavorful, loaded with protein, and the perfect weeknight chicken dinner recipe to serve the family. A one-pot meal option that’s ready in 30 minutes.
This chicken pasta recipe is made with loads of chicken breast bites in a garlic and tomato base marinara sauce. Enjoy tender and juicy parmesan chicken with each bite and the while pasts dish is then topped with more shredded parmesan and served with fresh basil. This chicken parmesan pasta recipe is so perfect for the entire family to enjoy for dinner. They keep so well that leftovers can be stored in the fridge and enjoyed for days.
Why you will love this chicken pasta recipe
- Filling: This chicken parmesan pasta has it all. Protein, fiber, and carbs. It is a complete meal that doesnt need any side dishes and it can keep you up for hours.
- Tasty: The flavors of this chicken pasta will keep your taste buds satisfied and happy. Once you try this pasta recipe you will want to make it all the time.
- Quick and Easy: Its really easy to make this chicken parmesan pasta recipe. Between cooking the pasta and chicken, to combining everything together you will have dinner ready in no time.
Ingredients you will need
Below you will find the ingredients you will be needing to make this chicken parmesan pasta. The full measurements are listed further down below.
olive oil
boneless skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings: Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper
shredded parmesan cheese
yellow onion
fresh garlic cloves
one jar marinara sauce
any short pasta of choice
fresh basil to garnish
How to make this chicken parmesan pasta recipe
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Season the chopped chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the pieces to the skillet and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown. Add ⅓ cup of Parmesan cheese and cook for 1 minute more, or until the cheese is melted over the chicken. Set aside.
To the same preheated skillet, add the remaining oil, onion, and garlic. Cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the onion softens. Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a pot with salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook following the package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water, then drain.
Return the chicken to the sauce together with the pasta and reserved pasta water. Toss well to combine.
Serve immediately with remaining Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil.
Recipe, notes, tips, and substitutes
- Pasta: use any pasta of choice that suits your dietary needs. For healthier pasta options, use lentil or chickpea pasta.
- Chicken: we always prefer chicken breast over chicken thighs since they are leaner. But if you prefer using boneless chicken thighs that’s fine.
- Marinara sauce: you may use your favorite brand or make your own sauce at home. We have a homemade marinara sauce you can check out.
- Parmesan cheese: Try shredding your own parmesan cheese for the best flavor possible. Store-bought is fine.
- Oil: we used olive oil, but any oil of choice works.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in thr fridge for 4-5 days.
- Don’t forget to reserve some of the pasta water
frequently asked questions
Absolutely. Chicken works so well served with a pasta dish as an added protein to make it into a complete meal. Some may debate that pasta should be enjoyed plain on its own but adding some sort of protein to pasta has become the norm.
Depending on what you are making, the most common seasonings used on chicken are salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, basil, and/or thyme,
For this pasta dish, we added parmesan chicken. Pasta pairs well with any protein of choice. Chicken being the most popular form of protein added to a pasta recipe, you may add other proteins like shrimp, scallops, salmon, fillet/steak, and even tofu.
Other Pasta recipes you may like
- Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Chicken Spinach Pasta
- Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Creamy Salmon Pasta
- Asparagus Chicken Pasta
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Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste
- 2/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 oz jar marinara sauce
- 8 oz short dry pasta, GF if needed
- Fresh basil, chopped to garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chopped chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the pieces to the skillet and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown.
- Add ⅓ cup of Parmesan cheese and cook for 1 minute more, or until the cheese is melted over the chicken. Set aside.
- To the same preheated skillet, add the remaining oil, onion, and garlic. Cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the onion softens. Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot with salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook following the package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water, then drain.
- Return the chicken to the sauce together with the pasta and reserved pasta water. Toss well to combine.
- Serve immediately with remaining Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil.
Notes
- Pasta: use any pasta of choice that suits your dietary needs. For healthier pasta options, use lentil or chickpea pasta.
- Chicken: we always prefer chicken breast over chicken thighs since they are leaner. But if you prefer using boneless chicken thighs that’s fine.
- Marinara sauce: you may use your favorite brand or make your own sauce at home. We have a homemade marinara sauce you can check out.
- Parmesan cheese: Try shredding your own parmesan cheese for the best flavor possible. Store-bought is fine.
- Oil: we used olive oil, but any oil of choice works.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delicious! My kids loved it too
So glad. Thanks for the feedback
Hey! Excited to try this recipe, 2/3 cups of Parmesan is like 260g in the UK. Is that right? I’d love to have that much cheese for that amount of calories, is that right?
Hi, I am not sure what the conversion is in grams.