Description
Comfort meets elegance in this one-pot chicken parmesan delight, blending Italian-inspired flavors with simple home cooking techniques. Crispy chicken, melted cheese, and rich marinara sauce combine to create a delicious meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken fillets, diced into bite-sized pieces
Pasta and Sauce:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) dried short-cut pasta (e.g., rigatoni)
- 24 ounces (680 grams) jar of marinara sauce (e.g., Newman’s Own)
- 1 cup water (to fill empty marinara sauce jar)
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Additional dried Italian seasoning, optional
- Fresh parsley and/or basil, minced for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat a robust pot or skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling cooking surface.
- Infuse chicken pieces with aromatic seasonings like salt, pepper, Italian herbs, and garlic powder, then sear until golden and nearly cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.
- Transfer the partially cooked chicken to a holding plate, preserving its moisture and warmth.
- Utilize the same pot to caramelize minced onion and garlic, stirring until the aromatics become soft and translucent, releasing their fragrant essence.
- Introduce marinara sauce into the pot, then replenish the sauce jar with water to capture every last drop of flavor, creating a liquid base for cooking.
- Carefully reintroduce the chicken to the sauce, then scatter dried pasta throughout the liquid, ensuring each noodle is submerged.
- Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and allow the ingredients to meld together, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking.
- Monitor pasta’s texture, cooking until it reaches perfect al dente consistency, typically within 10-12 minutes.
- Integrate Parmesan and a portion of mozzarella, stirring until the cheeses melt seamlessly into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella across the surface, allowing it to transform into a bubbling, golden blanket.
- Enhance the dish with a final dusting of Italian herbs and garnish with fresh parsley or basil for a vibrant finish.
- Serve immediately, capturing the dish’s optimal temperature and cheesy allure.
Notes
- Meal Prep Magic: Chop all ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.
- Seasoning Secret: Don’t be shy with Italian seasoning; it adds depth and authentic flavor to the entire dish.
- Pasta Perfection: Choose short pasta like penne or rotini that captures sauce beautifully and ensures even cooking.
- Cheese Tip: Use freshly grated mozzarella for superior melting and a creamier texture compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- One-Pot Wonder: This recipe minimizes cleanup with a single pot, making it ideal for busy weeknights or quick family meals.
- Flavor Boost: Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and cheese to set perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg