Table of Contents
- Introduction: Your New Favorite Creamy Pasta
- The Perfect Pasta for a Saucy Dish
- Why This Chicken Parmesan Pasta Is Pure Comfort Food
- The Cheese Trio That Makes All the Difference
- Crafting the Ultimate Creamy Pasta Sauce
- What to Serve with Your Creamy Pasta Masterpiece
- Plan-Ahead Tips for Busy Nights
- The Recipe: Easy Creamy Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Notes & Tips for Success
Key Takeaways
This easy creamy chicken parmesan pasta transforms simple ingredients into a rich, cheesy, and utterly comforting dinner in about 40 minutes. It combines golden-brown chicken and pasta in a luxuriously creamy tomato sauce, all topped with a bubbly mozzarella crust. Key highlights include using a trio of cheeses for maximum flavor, the option to make parts ahead for an even quicker meal, and tips for choosing the best pasta to soak up every drop of that delicious sauce. It’s the perfect solution for a quick and satisfying dinner that everyone at the table will love.
Introduction: Your New Favorite Creamy Pasta
Hey everyone, it’s Patricia from Patricia Universe! Let’s talk about that magical moment when a craving for cozy, cheesy comfort food hits, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. I created this easy creamy chicken parmesan pasta recipe for exactly those nights. It’s a one-skillet wonder that delivers all the indulgent flavor of the classic Italian-American dish in a fraction of the time. We’re talking tender, seasoned chicken, al dente pasta, and a veluriously creamy tomato sauce that comes together so simply. This creamy chicken parmesan pasta has become a staple in my home, and I’m so excited to share it with you.
The Perfect Pasta for a Saucy Dish
Not all pasta shapes are created equal, especially when you have a gorgeous, clingy sauce like the one in this recipe. You want something with nooks and crannies to trap every bit of that creamy, cheesy goodness. My top picks are short, sturdy shapes like penne, rigatoni, or ziti. Their tubes are perfect for scooping up sauce, and their ridges help the cheese and sauce adhere beautifully. This choice is a small detail that makes a big difference in creating a cohesive, flavorful bite every single time.
Why This Chicken Parmesan Pasta Is Pure Comfort Food
This dish is the very definition of a hearty, satisfying comfort food dinner. It skips the traditional breading and frying of chicken cutlets, opting instead for quickly pan-seared, bite-sized pieces that stay incredibly juicy. This streamlined method cuts down on prep and cleanup without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. The result is a meal that feels special and indulgent—the kind that brings everyone to the table with smiles—yet is completely approachable for a regular weeknight. It’s the ultimate in simplified elegance.
The Cheese Trio That Makes All the Difference
Cheese is the soul of this dish, and using a blend creates a much more complex and delicious flavor than any single cheese could. We use a powerful trio: nutty Parmesan melted right into the sauce for a deep, savory base, gooey mozzarella broiled on top for that iconic stretchy, golden crust, and a final sprinkle of fresh Parmesan before serving for a sharp, salty finish. This layering technique ensures cheesy goodness in every component, making this one of the best easy dinner recipes for cheese lovers.
Crafting the Ultimate Creamy Pasta Sauce
The sauce is where the magic really happens. It starts with a jar of good-quality marinara for convenience and rich tomato flavor, but we elevate it dramatically. A generous splash of heavy cream (or half-and-half for a slightly lighter version) transforms it into something lush and velvety. The key is to let it simmer briefly with the Parmesan and herbs, allowing the flavors to marry and the sauce to thicken just enough to coat the back of a spoon. This creates the perfect, restaurant-quality texture for coating your pasta and chicken. It’s a simple method for a creamy pasta recipe that feels gourmet.
What to Serve with Your Creamy Pasta Masterpiece
While this pasta is a complete meal on its own, a simple side can round it out perfectly. A crisp, green salad with a bright vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully. Garlic bread or a crusty baguette is non-negotiable for mopping up any extra sauce left in the skillet. For a lighter option, steamed broccoli or green beans make excellent, healthy companions. This versatility makes it an ideal family meal that can be adapted to any occasion.
Plan-Ahead Tips for Busy Nights
Life gets busy, but you can still have a fantastic quick and easy dinner on the table. The components of this chicken pasta recipe are fantastic for prepping ahead. Cook and shred the chicken a day or two in advance, and store it in the fridge. You can even make the entire creamy sauce ahead of time and simply reheat it gently. When you’re ready to eat, just cook your pasta fresh, combine everything in the skillet, add the mozzarella, and broil. In under 20 minutes, you have a fresh, hot, and comforting meal that tastes like you cooked all day.
Easy Creamy Chicken Parmesan Pasta for Dinner
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Pasta
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 8 oz (225g) penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Sauce
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
For Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Cook Pasta & Prepare Chicken
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Brown the Chicken
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary) and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
Make the Creamy Sauce
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and dried basil. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Combine and Bake
- Preheat your broiler. Add the cooked pasta and browned chicken back to the skillet with the sauce. Gently toss everything together until well coated.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Place the skillet under the broiler for 2-4 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown in spots.
Serve
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
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