Description
A comforting dish of tender pasta, golden-brown chicken, and a rich marinara sauce topped with melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil water in a pot and add the pasta, cooking it according to the package instructions for perfect al dente texture. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, stirring until fragrant—about 1 minute.
- Brown the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Season them with salt and pepper, cooking until they’re browned and thoroughly cooked.
- Combine the flavors: Pour in the marinara sauce and the drained pasta. Stir well to let the flavors mingle.
- Layer the cheeses: Generously sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top.
- Melt the cheese: Cover the skillet and allow the cheese to melt for about 5 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: Add fresh basil right before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with sautéed mushrooms or cooked lentils. Make-ahead tips include preparing the chicken and pasta in advance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 100mg