Description
This One Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a quick and delicious Italian-inspired dish combining tender chicken, rigatoni pasta, marinara sauce, and melted cheese all cooked together in a single skillet. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons Italian dressing (not creamy kind)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Sauce
- 16 ounces dry rigatoni pasta (1 box)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Water (amount equal to empty marinara jar, approximately 1 cup)
Cheese and Garnish
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the chicken: In a 12-inch cast iron skillet or stockpot, heat the chicken cubes tossed with Italian dressing over medium-high heat. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. This step helps infuse flavor into the chicken and starts the cooking process.
- Cook the chicken: Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and just cooked through, about 5 minutes depending on the size of the pieces. Ensure the chicken is cooked but not overdone for best texture.
- Add pasta and sauce: Add the dry rigatoni pasta and the entire jar of marinara sauce to the skillet with the chicken. Then, fill the empty marinara jar with water and pour it into the skillet. If using a stockpot, add 2 cups of water instead. Lightly stir everything together to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Simmer until pasta is tender: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for approximately 15 minutes or until the pasta reaches your desired tenderness, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add cheeses and melt: Remove the cover, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top, then add the shredded mozzarella. Do not stir the cheese in; simply cover again and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts completely. Optionally, you can place the skillet under a broiler for about 4 minutes to achieve a bubbly, golden cheese topping.
- Garnish and serve: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove from heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the pasta for a fragrant finish. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting one-pan meal!
Notes
- Using a 12-inch cast iron skillet ensures even cooking and enough space for all ingredients.
- Substituting a stockpot is possible but may slightly affect cooking times.
- Adjust water quantity slightly depending on pasta type and desired sauce thickness.
- Broiling to melt cheese is optional but adds a nice golden crust.
- Fresh basil garnish enhances aroma and presentation but can be omitted.
