Description
Savory Italian Chicken Pasta Delight is a creamy, flavorful 30-minute weeknight meal. It combines tender chicken, penne pasta, marinara, and Parmesan cheese for a restaurant-quality dinner made easily in one pan.
Ingredients
8 oz Penne Pasta (or any short pasta)
1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast (cut into chunks)
1 jar (24 oz) Marinara Sauce
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 small Onion, diced
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (plus more for serving)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
Fresh Basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in marinara sauce and heavy cream. Stir until combined and heated through.
5. Return cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Add grated Parmesan cheese and toss until the sauce coats everything evenly.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil and more Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
Start boiling pasta first to save time.
Use pre-diced onion and jarred garlic for faster prep.
Cook pasta al dente; it will soften more in the sauce.
Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days.
Reheat gently with a splash of cream or water on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg