Description
This easy Chicken Parmesan Pasta combines juicy chicken, a rich tomato sauce, and creamy Parmesan cheese into a satisfying one-pan meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is beginner-friendly and ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10.5 oz (300 g) penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (20 g) unsalted butter
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cups (300 ml) tomato sauce (passata)
- 1 cup half and half (single cream)
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water to use later if needed.
- Sauté the chicken: Heat the olive oil and melt the butter in a large deep pan over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and cook for about 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add aromatics: Stir in the finely diced onion, minced garlic, and red chili flakes. Cook for another 2 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent, releasing its natural sweetness.
- Build the sauce: Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, then pour in the tomato sauce. Stir well to combine and let it simmer over low heat for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Make it creamy: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the half and half. Let it cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly, making sure not to let it boil.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the pan, tossing everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and mix well.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- For extra flavor, toss in a handful of fresh basil or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
- To add more vegetables, stir in baby spinach, bell peppers, or steamed broccoli.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk or water to keep it creamy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 535
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 47g
- Cholesterol: 136mg