Chicken and pasta in a tasty tomato sauce, smothered in melted parmesan and mozzarella, and topped with a crispy golden brown breadcrumb topping!
Chicken parmesan is a dish where chicken is coated in breadcrumbs, fried in oil until golden brown and crispy, topped with a tasty marinara sauce along with parmesan and mozzarella that’s all melted, ooey, gooey, and good, and it’s usually served over pasta. This is a quick and easy version that’s styled more as a pasta dish where the chicken is cut up into small pieces before being sauteed in a pan, mixed with marinara sauce and cooked pasta before topping with melted cheese and a crispy breadcrumb topping! (You can even make a one-pan version where you cooke the pasta in the pan along with the chciken and marinara sauce!) This chicken parm pasta is perfect for any night of the week, including busy work nights, and it’s sure to impress, so it’s great for guests!
Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 4
Chicken and pasta in a tasty tomato sauce, smothered in melted parmesan and mozzarella, and topped with a crispy golden brown breadcrumb topping!
ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (gluten-free for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3 cups marinara sauce (link) (or a 22-26 ounce jar of marinara sauce)
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning (link) (or oregano)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
- 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
- 1 tablespoon basil (or parsley), chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
For the pasta:
For the breadcrumb topping:
directions
- Start cooking the pasta as directed on the package.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, add the chicken and onions and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
- Add the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, bring to boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, mix in the cooked and drained pasta,
- Sprinkle on the crispy breadcrumb topping and basil and enjoy!
- Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat, add the breadcrumbs and cook, mi=xing, until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
For the pasta:
For the breadcrumb topping:
Option: Add 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seeds along with the garlic.
Option: Add 1/2 cup cream to the sauce.
Option: Replace the marinara sauce with 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes and 2 tablespoons tomato paste.
Option: Add 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder to the breadcrumb topping.
Option: Add 1/4 teaspoon oregano to the breadcrumb topping.
Option: Add 1/2 teaspoon parsley to the breadcrumb topping.
Option: Make this a one-pan meal by adding the pasta to the marinara sauce along with 3 cups of chicken broth, bring to a boil and simmer until the pasta is tender, about 8-10 minutes.
