Description
This Ultimate Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet is a quick and delicious one-pan meal combining juicy chicken breasts, tender rigatoni pasta, and rich marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner with bold Italian flavors and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces dry rigatoni pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 jar water (about 24 ounces, same jar as marinara)
Cheese and Garnish
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat chicken with Italian dressing: Place the chicken breasts and Italian dressing in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over the chicken to season it as it warms.
- Cook chicken thoroughly: Sear and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, turning if needed, until it is browned on the outside and cooked completely through with no pink remaining in the center.
- Add pasta and marinara sauce: Pour in the dry rigatoni pasta and the entire jar of marinara sauce into the skillet. Fill the empty marinara sauce jar with water and add it into the skillet as well. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer until pasta is tender: Bring the sauce, pasta, and chicken mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rigatoni pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Add cheeses and melt: Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top without stirring them into the sauce. Cover and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheeses have melted and formed a gooey topping.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the skillet for a fresh, aromatic garnish. Serve hot and enjoy your one-pan chicken Parmesan pasta.
Notes
- Using boneless, skinless chicken breasts helps to cook quickly and retain tenderness.
- Filling the marinara jar with water ensures the right amount of liquid for the pasta to cook evenly in the skillet.
- You can substitute rigatoni with other pasta shapes such as penne or ziti if preferred.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when cooking the chicken.
- Fresh basil is optional but adds a fresh aroma and color to the dish.
- This recipe is best served immediately to enjoy the melty cheese texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Pasta Skillet, One-Pan Meal, Italian Pasta, Quick Dinner, Rigatoni, Marinara Sauce, Cheese Topped
