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Home » Dinner » Chicken Parmesan Pasta

Published: April 8, 2018 Last Modified: March 23, 2019 By Sara 31 Comments

Chicken Parmesan Pasta

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Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe | Baked Pasta Recipe | Chicken Pasta Recipe

This chicken parmesan pasta is sauteed chicken and penne pasta tossed in marinara sauce and covered with cheese, then baked to gooey perfection. An easy dinner option that’s a total crowd pleaser!

If you love classic chicken parmesan, you’ll adore this simple yet satisfying baked pasta dish. This versatile recipe can be made in advance and is easy to double or triple to feed a crowd.

Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe | Baked Pasta Recipe | Chicken Pasta Recipe #pasta #chicken #cheese #dinner #comfortfood #dinneratthezoo

Chicken parmesan pasta in a baking dish topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh basil.

Pasta is one of those foods that always hits the spot, don’t you think? This chicken parmesan pasta is total comfort food that’s quick to make with familiar flavors that both kids and adults love.

How to make chicken parmesan pasta

This recipe starts with cut up chicken breast, onions and garlic, which are all sauteed in a pan. The chicken is coated in Italian seasoning which is typically a combination of garlic powder and dried herbs like oregano, basil and parsley. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can substitute equal parts of the garlic and dried herbs to make your own.

The chicken mixture is mixed with marinara sauce (choose your favorite!). fresh basil and cooked penne pasta, then spooned into a baking dish.

A pan of penne pasta and cooked chicken in marinara sauce.

You can’t have chicken parmesan without the cheese! The pasta gets topped with both shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheeses before it goes into the oven.

A pan of baked chicken parmesan pasta covered in melted cheese.

This chicken parmesan pasta can be assembled up to 8 hours before you plan to serve it, then baked right before it’s time to eat. If I know I’m going to have a really busy day, I often prepare my pasta in the morning, stick it in the fridge, then pull it out at dinner time for a no fuss meal.

A baking dish of penne pasta with chicken, parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.

I like to serve my chicken parmesan pasta with a side of bread, these garlic knots are our favorite! I also serve a green veggie like broccoli or asparagus to round out the meal.

Try this baked pasta for dinner tonight, you’ll certainly be glad you did!

More pasta recipes

  • Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
  • Caprese Pasta
  • Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
  • Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
  • Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Chicken parmesan pasta in a baking dish topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh basil.
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5 from 18 votes

Chicken Parmesan Pasta

This chicken parmesan pasta is sauteed chicken and penne pasta tossed in marinara sauce and covered with cheese, then baked to gooey perfection. An easy dinner option that's a total crowd pleaser!
Course Main
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 301kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 jar marinara sauce
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 12 ounces dry penne pasta
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 9"x13" pan with cooking spray. 
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the penne pasta according to package directions.
  • Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes or until softened.
  • Add the chicken, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to the pan. Cook for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until chicken is cooked through.
  • Pour the marinara sauce and chopped basil into the pan and stir to combine.
  • Drain the pasta and add it to the 9"x13" dish. Pour the chicken and sauce mixture over the pasta and stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese over the pasta mixture.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted, then serve.

Notes

  1. Make ahead instructions: Place the assembled pasta dish covered in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. Uncover, then bake until pasta is warm and cheese is melted. It will take an additional 10-15 minutes past the bake time in the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 606mg | Potassium: 707mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 885IU | Vitamin C: 8.8mg | Calcium: 356mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!
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Filed Under: Dinner, Pasta

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    Comments

    1. Toria says

      June 29, 2021 at 1:49 pm

      5 stars
      Super yummy! Are you sure it’s only 300 calories per serving though? When I calculated it, it came out to 663 calories per serving!

      Reply
    2. Myk says

      January 10, 2021 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      My friend loves chicken and pasta so I thought this would be a perfect recipe for her birthday. I got compliments from everyone and people asking for the recipe. It’s so simple to make!

      Reply
    3. Debbie says

      May 31, 2020 at 7:43 pm

      How much marinara sauce? Recipe calls for one jar—how many ounces or cups?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        June 1, 2020 at 4:02 pm

        I use a 24 ounce jar!

        Reply
    4. Kandice says

      April 23, 2020 at 3:34 pm

      This looks delicious!! I want to try it tonight. Can you use spaghetti sauce instead of marinara? It’s all I have on hand
      😅🙈

      Reply
      • Sara says

        April 23, 2020 at 8:32 pm

        Yes that’s fine!

        Reply
    5. Kerri Dugan says

      October 2, 2019 at 6:39 am

      Can this be frozen? If so, should I bake first then bake again to reheat? Or would it be better to freeze uncooked?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        October 2, 2019 at 12:19 pm

        Follow the recipe through step 7, then freeze it!

        Reply
        • Kerri says

          October 3, 2019 at 12:59 am

          Thank you so much for the quick reply! Really looking forward to this recipe.

          Reply
    6. Sarge says

      June 28, 2019 at 5:46 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for the recipe, it is AMAZING!! What sides would you suggest with it? Do you have the recipes for any of them? That would be awesome

      Reply
      • Sara says

        June 28, 2019 at 7:44 pm

        I serve this with a green veggie such as roasted broccoli: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/parmesan-roasted-broccoli/ or sauteed asparagus: https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/sauteed-asparagus/

        Reply
    7. Jenny Melton says

      March 3, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      5 stars
      Even my 2-year-old daughter finished her portion. Thank you for a delicious and easy recipe!

      Reply
      • Sara says

        March 3, 2019 at 9:33 pm

        So happy to hear you enjoyed it, I appreciate you reporting back!

        Reply
    8. Village Bakery says

      January 22, 2019 at 9:54 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for this recipe, Sara. Made it last night and it was delicious 😀 -joe

      Reply
      • Sara says

        January 22, 2019 at 1:42 pm

        Glad to hear you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!

        Reply
    9. Tara says

      December 14, 2018 at 9:09 am

      5 stars
      I made this last weekend, and it was delicious. Will definitely be added to the family favourites list

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 14, 2018 at 2:31 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!

        Reply
    10. Nina says

      July 26, 2018 at 3:45 am

      5 stars
      Hi, thanks for the fabulous recipe. If I made my own marinara sauce how many ml would I need. We have several different sized jars of tomato pasta sauce here in UK. What is the size you use in the recipe – thanks

      Reply
      • Sara says

        July 27, 2018 at 7:26 pm

        You’re looking for about 2-3 cups of sauce!

        Reply
        • Nina says

          July 29, 2018 at 4:08 am

          Ok thanks for replying

          Reply
    11. Debbie says

      April 23, 2018 at 8:23 pm

      5 stars
      This has become a family favorite!

      Reply
    12. Traci says

      April 9, 2018 at 9:44 am

      5 stars
      Love this easy, hearty dish! I’m sure it wouldn’t last long in our house…because…chicken and pasta! Already pinned this one…thanks for the inspiration!

      Reply
    13. Elaine @ Dishes Delish says

      April 9, 2018 at 9:01 am

      5 stars
      Your chicken parmesan pasta looks so delicious!! I love that you can make it ahead! How convenient is that? I can’t wait to make your recipe! Hubby is going to be so happy since he loves chicken parm pasta!!

      Reply
    14. Kate says

      April 9, 2018 at 8:45 am

      I always forget that I can bake pasta! I don’t know why, but it hasn’t occurred to me to make baked pasta in forever. Thanks for the delicious looking reminder!

      Reply
    15. Liz says

      April 9, 2018 at 8:21 am

      5 stars
      Oh, man, my mouth is watering!!! This is a dish the whole picky family will love! Pure comfort food.

      Reply
    16. sue | theviewfromgreatisland says

      April 9, 2018 at 8:19 am

      This is such a people pleasing meal, Sara, I could live for a week on it if I didn’t have to share 🙂

      Reply
    17. Chris says

      April 9, 2018 at 8:15 am

      5 stars
      Ugh, I just want to dive my face straight into that dish of heaven. Looks SO good!!

      Reply
    18. Ashley fehr says

      April 9, 2018 at 8:02 am

      5 stars
      One of our family’s favorite dinners!

      Reply
    19. ali randall says

      April 9, 2018 at 7:56 am

      5 stars
      I always have penne in the pantry and cooked chicken in the fridge for last minute meals. I love that this can be on the table in no time especially when the end of the day arrives and I am wondering what I am making for dinner. Here’s is the solution 🙂

      Reply
    20. DAnnii says

      April 9, 2018 at 7:30 am

      5 stars
      This is one of my favourite pasta dishes – so comforting. We add some spinach too.

      Reply
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