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Chicken Parmesan Pasta – A one-skillet twist on the classic, this easy pasta dish combines tender ground chicken, marinara, and melted cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping. It’s hearty, comforting, and ready in about 25 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something homemade and satisfying.
Some nights call for a recipe that feels cozy but doesn’t ask much of you—this Chicken Parmesan Pasta is exactly that.
Everything comes together in one skillet, from browning the chicken to broiling the cheesy topping, and it hits that same satisfying spot as classic chicken parm with way less effort.
The ground chicken keeps things simple, the sauce and pasta simmer together until tender, and the broiled breadcrumb topping brings just enough crunch. We usually pair it with these Olive Garden Breadsticks to make it feel like a full meal, but honestly it’s pretty satisfying all on its own.
What You’ll Need
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Olive Oil
- Ground Chicken
- Onion
- Garlic
- Pasta – any short cut shaped pasta will work great
- Marinara Sauce – you can use your favorite homemade or a store bought jar works well for this.
- Water
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Panko Breadcrumbs
How To Make Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Brown the chicken & onion – Sauté ground chicken and diced onion in olive oil until the meat is mostly cooked and the onion softens.
- Add garlic & aromatics – Stir in minced garlic and cook briefly to release flavor.
- Combine pasta, sauce & water – Pour in the uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, and water, then stir everything together.
- Simmer until pasta is tender – Cover and cook on low heat until the pasta is fully cooked and the liquid has reduced.
- Stir in cheeses – Mix in mozzarella and parmesan cheese until melted and well incorporated.
- Add topping & broil – Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and panko on top, then broil until golden brown and bubbly.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use an oven-safe skillet – This lets you go straight from stovetop to broiler without needing to transfer the pasta, saving time and cleanup.
- Watch the broiler closely – It only takes a minute or two to get golden brown; keep an eye on it to avoid burning the topping. Broiling gives the topping a golden, crispy finish, but you can skip it if you prefer a softer texture or don’t have a broiler.
- Try different pasta shapes – Short pasta like penne, rotini, or shells all work well and hold onto the sauce nicely.
- Add veggies for more color – Stir in sautéed spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini right before the cheese for a veggie boost.
- Swap the protein – Ground turkey or plant-based alternatives can be used in place of chicken without changing the method.
- Double for a crowd – Easily scale up the recipe for meal prep or a family dinner—just use a larger skillet or baking dish.
Serving Suggestions
You really can make this a meal on its own, it is a hearty dish. But you can also serve with some of your favorites that always fit with Italian style recipes.
- Side Salad
- Cheesy Quick Bread
- Sautéed Asparagus
- Use Homemade Croutons for that salad!
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot throughout.
More Great Easy Dinner Recipes
Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 pound Ground Chicken
- 1 small Onion, Diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
- 1 pound Short Cut Pasta
- 24 ounce jar Marinara Sauce
- 2 cups Water
- 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella Cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat broiler.
- In a large oven safe skillet heat oil over medium high heat.1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- Add ground chicken, and onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking apart until the onions are soft and chicken is mostly cooked.1 pound Ground Chicken, 1 small Onion
- Add garlic, and cook for 1 minute.3 cloves Garlic
- Stir in pasta, marinara sauce, and water. Stir and bring to boil.1 pound Short Cut Pasta, 24 ounce jar Marinara Sauce, 2 cups Water
- Cover and reduce heat. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the pasta is cooked.
- Stir in 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese until melted.1 1/2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese and bread crumbs over the top. Place under broiler for 2 minutes until golden brown.1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This turned out so flavorful and delicious!
This is definitely going in our dinner rotation!
How can I make this lighter ? Lower fat. Make my own sauce ? Watching my cholesterol