One Pot Chicken Pasta
This one-pot chicken pasta is a foolproof weeknight dinner that combines tender chicken breast, hearty rigatoni, and savory marinara sauce in a single vessel. By cooking the pasta directly in the sauce, the natural starches thicken the dish to a silky, luxurious consistency. It is a time-saving, crowd-pleasing meal that minimizes cleanup while maximizing depth of flavor, making it perfect for busy evenings when you crave a restaurant-quality meal without the stress of multiple pans.
Ingredients
- 2-3 chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 16 oz short-cut pasta (rigatoni or penne)
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 24 oz water
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden brown.
- Add the onion and sauté until translucent, then add the minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and water, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the dry pasta to the liquid and stir well.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, covering the pot to let the pasta cook until al dente.
- Stir occasionally to ensure pasta does not stick.
- Once cooked, stir in half of the mozzarella and parmesan.
- Top with remaining cheeses and cover for one minute to melt before serving.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness if preferred. You can easily customize the flavor by adding red pepper flakes for heat or fresh basil for brightness. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5gCalories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 32gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 780mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!