Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Chicken Parmesan Pasta is our favorite one-pan pasta recipe. An easy and delicious dinner with just a few ingredients? What could be better? This Chicken Pasta Skillet is our go-to easy dinner recipe anytime we are craving comfort food.

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Table of Contents

Why We Love This Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe

  • Easy. Count ’em– you’re just 6 ingredients away from a delicious dinner! Plus a bit of salt and pepper for seasoning, and some (optional) basil for garnish.
  • Cheesy. Parmesan and mozzarella cheese make this dish gooey, creamy, and cheesy.
  • Delicious. If you love classic chicken parmesan, this easy weeknight meal is sure to be a hit!

Variations on Chicken Parmesan with Pasta

This recipe is so easily adaptable. No Italian dressing? Mix some Italian seasoning into a tablespoon each of oil and vinegar. For a vegetarian version, swap out the chicken for some diced eggplant!

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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover chicken parmesan pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Freeze chicken parmesan pasta in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

I love that you don’t even need a side dish with this delicious one-pan chicken parm recipe. I usually just serve it with some crusty garlic bread and call it a day. Oh and some wine— can’t forget the wine! Wine and pasta is a great combo for making dinner at home feel like a special occasion.

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More Chicken Parmesan Recipes To Try

  • Classic Chicken Parmesan
  • Baked Chicken Parmesan
  • Chicken Parmesan Casserole
  • Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
  • Crispy Chicken Parmesan
  • Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
  • Chicken Parmesan Soup
  • Chicken Parmesan Sliders

5-Star Review

This is one of my family’s favorite go to meals. Which is a win for me because of how simple & fast it is! – Abby

Recipe

One Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe

4.10 from 332 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 25 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

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Serves8

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Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe uses only 6 ingredients and made in ONE PAN! This is our go-to easy dinner recipe anytime we are craving comfort food. A delicious chicken and pasta recipe everyone in the family will love! Skillet Chicken Parmesan for the win!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons Italian dressing (not the creamy kind)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 16 ounces dry rigatoni pasta (1 box)
  • 24 ounces Marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Chopped fresh basil optional, for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat the chicken and Italian dressing in a 12-inch cast iron skillet set over medium high heat (If you don't own a large skillet, you can use a stock pot). Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste.

    3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons Italian dressing, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

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  • Cook chicken until browned and just cooked through, about 5 minutes depending on thickness of chicken.

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  • Add the box of pasta and the entire jar of marinara. Fill the empty marinara jar with water and add to the skillet. If using a stockpot, use 2 cups water. Lightly stir the mixture to combine.

    16 ounces dry rigatoni pasta, 24 ounces Marinara sauce

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  • Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender to your liking (see note).

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  • Cover with grated Parmesan and then shredded mozzarella. No need to stir. Continue to cook for 2-3 more minutes or until cheese is fully melted. You can also broil the entire skillet for about 4 minutes to make the cheese extra melty!

    ½ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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  • Top with chopped basil (optional) and serve! Enjoy!

    Chopped fresh basil

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • Note: The pasta in the middle of the skillet and underneath will be more tender than the outside pasta. It’s okay if those pieces are a bit toastier and less soft. The inside will be plenty soft.
  • If you prefer, you could make this dish with other types of pasta; penne would be great in this dish!
  • If you don’t have a large skillet, use a stock pot instead.
  • Properly cooked chicken should register 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
  • To make the top layer of cheese extra melty (yum!) just pop the skillet under the broiler for 3-4 minutes.

Storage:Store chicken parmesan pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 387kcal (19%) Carbohydrates: 48g (16%) Protein: 31g (62%) Fat: 7g (11%) Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0.01g Cholesterol: 68mg (23%) Sodium: 1133mg (49%) Potassium: 726mg (21%) Fiber: 3g (13%) Sugar: 5g (6%) Vitamin A: 497IU (10%) Vitamin C: 7mg (8%) Calcium: 120mg (12%) Iron: 2mg (11%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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How to Make Chicken Parmesan Pasta Step by Step

Season the Chicken: Heat 3 cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts and 2 tablespoons of Italian dressing in a 12-inch cast iron skillet set over medium-high heat. Season chicken with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste.

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Cook the Chicken: Cook the chicken until browned and just cooked through, about 5 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken.

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Add the Pasta: Add 16 ounces (1 box) of rigatoni and a 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce to the pan. Fill the empty marinara jar with water and add to the skillet. If using a stockpot, use 2 cups water. Lightly stir the mixture to combine.

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Cook the Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender to your liking.

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Add the Cheese: Cover with ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan and then ½ cup of freshly shredded mozzarella cheese. No need to stir. Continue to cook for 2-3 more minutes or until cheese is fully melted. You can also broil the entire skillet for about 4 minutes to make the cheese extra melty! Top with chopped basil (optional) and serve!

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What’s the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken parmigiana?

There is no difference– they’re different names for the exact same thing!

Why is it called chicken parm if it’s made with mozzarella?

The dish was named after the city of Parma in Italy, not the cheese!

Is chicken parmesan a real Italian dish?

Not really! It actually originated from Italian immigrants in the northeast U.S.

Can I make this in the oven instead?

Sure! Follow the recipe through step 4, placing the covered skillet in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes instead of letting it simmer on the stovetop. Add the cheese and return to the oven or place under the broiler to get it bubbly!

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Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between chicken parmigiana and chicken parmesan? ›

What Is the Difference Between Chicken Parmesan and Chicken Parmigiana? Brace yourself for this one—they're the same dish! Chicken Parmesan and chicken Parmigiana are just different names for the same exact recipe. And, with a name like “chicken Parmigiana”, you might assume that this recipe is Italian.

Why is it called chicken parm if it's made with mozzarella? ›

Some believe that it was created in Parma, hence the name. Others believe it comes from a Sicilian word that means slabs on a roof, referring to the thin slices of chicken covered in the sauce.

What's the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken Milanese? ›

What's the Difference Between Chicken Milanese and Chicken Parmesan? Chicken parmesan is made with fried cutlets that are topped with red sauce and cheese, while these Milanese cutlets are served with a simple squeeze of lemon and a little basil oil, if you like.

Which is more fattening chicken parm or eggplant parm? ›

Eggplant parmesan is a lot healthier for you than chicken, but it comes at the cost of being a lot less filling.

What do Italians call chicken parm? ›

Chicken parmesan or chicken parmigiana (Italian: pollo alla parmigiana) is a dish that consists of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone cheese.

Why does the breading fall off my chicken parm? ›

You Don't Start Dry

The first step to breading chicken is crucial; make sure the chicken is completely dry before starting the dredging process. Using a paper towel, pat the meat dry on all sides. Excess moisture will cause the flour to get soggy and thus will not adhere properly to the chicken.

How do you keep breading from falling off chicken parmesan? ›

After you get the breading on the chicken place the pieces on a sheet of wax paper for 20 minutes before cooking. Leave space between each piece of chicken. Also, if you're frying the chicken, don't move it around. Don't fuss with it, just let it do it's thing.

What can I use if I don t have breadcrumbs for chicken parmesan? ›

According to question, Yes, you can make breaded chicken without traditional bread crumbs. There are several alternatives you can use, such as crushed cornflakes, crushed crackers, panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, or even ground nuts like almonds or pecans.

Can I use mozzarella instead of parmesan on pasta? ›

Sure. You don't get anywhere near the same texture or flavor, but you can substitute any cheese you want for any other cheese.

Do they eat chicken parm in Italy? ›

Despite being a staple of Italian-American cuisine, “chicken parmesan” is nowhere to be found in Italy. Instead, Italians nosh on parmigiana – eggplant layered with tomato sauce and cheese.

Can I use shredded mozzarella instead of parmesan? ›

Can I use mozzarella instead of parmesan in fettuccine? Yes! This is what this mozzarella alfredo sauce recipe helps you do. While it does change the flavor and bit of the texture, it's still got the same elements of the creamy comfort food you love.

Why is chicken parmesan so good? ›

Chicken parmigiana encompasses everything we love about Italian food in one bite—the chicken's juicy interior, the crisp coating of the fried breadcrumbs on the meat's exterior, the bright and slightly sweet flavor of the rich tomato sauce, and the silky texture of the mozzarella, slightly browned under a broiler.

What's the difference between francese and piccata? ›

Chicken Francaise vs.

Chicken piccata has capers. So for you caper haters out there, the Francaise version is for you. Chicken Francaise is dredged in flour and egg, whereas chicken piccata is dredged only in flour, so the Francaise has a bit more (delightfully) substantial coating.

Is chicken parmesan always served with pasta? ›

Chicken parmesan is traditionally served with a good pasta cooked al dente, as always. If you or your guests prefer rice, serve it with a good brown or saffron rice. That adds an extra layer of flavor. The rice can be “editorialized” by adding roasted garlic or even pine nuts.

Does parmigiana mean parmesan? ›

Why is it called “parmigiana” when it's typically made with mozzarella cheese? One theory lies in the geography of Italy. The cheese we know as parmigiana—or parmesan—is named after the city of Parma in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, where the delicate cheese was first produced.

What does the parm in chicken parm mean? ›

So, even though chicken parmesan doesn't heavily feature parmesan cheese (instead using mozzarella), the meat or eggplant is prepared in the Parma style, hence the name.

Why is chicken parmigiana called parmigiana? ›

According to author Pino Correnti, the word parmigiana derives from the Sicilian word for damigiana, a wicker sleeve used both for wine bottles and the hot casserole in which the dish would be prepared and served.

What's the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken cacciatore? ›

Chicken parmesan uses boneless skinless chicken breasts that are pounded thin and fried crisp before they're smothered in tomato sauce and topped with cheese. Chicken cacciatore is different. It's more like a hearty stew that's made with bone-in chicken.

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