The Ultimate One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta Recipe Every Family Loves

One-pot cheesy chicken pasta represents the ultimate comfort food for busy home cooks craving a delicious, hassle-free meal.

Creamy textures and bold flavors combine in this satisfying dish that enhances simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Weeknight dinners rarely get easier or more crowd-pleasing than this streamlined recipe.

Families love how quickly the pasta comes together with minimal cleanup required.

Hearty protein and rich, melted cheese create a harmonious blend that feels both indulgent and nourishing.

Balanced nutrition meets culinary convenience in this single-skillet marvel that promises to become a household favorite.

The magic happens when you mix tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a velvety cheese sauce in one seamless cooking process.

Cook One-Pot Chicken Pasta Fast

Step 1: Sizzle The Chicken

• Salt
• Pepper
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder

Cook chicken for 5 minutes until mostly done. Transfer to a separate plate.

Step 2: Soften Aromatics

In the same pot, sauté minced onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.

Step 3: Create Sauce Base

Pour marinara sauce into the pot. Fill the empty sauce jar with water and add to the mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a strong simmer.

Step 4: Combine Chicken And Pasta

Add cooked chicken and dried pasta to the pot. Mix thoroughly. Cover and cook 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta reaches desired tenderness.

Step 5: Incorporate First Layer Of Cheese

Stir in Parmesan cheese and mozzarella until completely melted and blended.

Step 6: Add Final Cheese Topping

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella across the top. Cook 2-3 minutes until cheese melts completely.

Step 7: Prepare For Serving

Optional: Sprinkle additional Italian seasoning. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.

Tips for Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Boost Chicken Flavor: Marinate chicken in Italian seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance depth and tenderness.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Stir frequently during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even pasta doneness.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Remove pot from heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and maintain creamy consistency.
• Liquid Balance Trick: Adjust water amount based on pasta type—some absorb more liquid than others.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Chop herbs just before serving to maximize their aromatic oils and vibrant flavor.

Store Chicken Pasta Right

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled pasta to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and bacterial growth.
• Microwave Reheating: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few tablespoons of water to restore moisture. Cover with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle until thoroughly warmed. This helps prevent drying out and maintains creamy texture.
• Stovetop Revival: Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to revive the sauce's consistency. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly and prevent sticking.

Chicken Pasta Pairings to Try

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the creamy cheese and complements the zesty marinara sauce, creating a refreshing balance.
• Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Toasted sourdough or rustic Italian bread provides the perfect crunchy texture to scoop up the cheesy pasta, adding another layer of garlic-infused flavor.
• Serve with Bright Mediterranean Salad: A light salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a lemon vinaigrette offers a fresh, tangy contrast to the rich, cheesy chicken pasta.
• Complement with Sparkling Water with Lemon: A bubbly, citrusy drink helps cleanse the palate between bites, cutting through the richness of the cheese and chicken.

One-Pot Pasta Add-In Ideas

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Pasta: Replace marinara with salsa, add diced green chilies, and swap Italian seasoning for chili powder and cumin. Top with pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Pasta: Use diced tomatoes with herbs, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle crumbled feta instead of mozzarella. Mix in fresh spinach during final cooking minutes.
• Creamy Alfredo Chicken Pasta: Substitute marinara with heavy cream and chicken broth. Include cream cheese and use a blend of Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Garnish with chopped fresh thyme.
• Pesto Chicken Pasta: Swap marinara for homemade or store-bought pesto sauce. Add sun-dried tomatoes and replace mozzarella with provolone cheese. Finish with toasted pine nuts on top.

Cheesy Chicken Pasta One-Pot Intro

• Simplify Dinner Prep: This one-pot wonder cuts down cooking time and cleanup, making weeknight meals a breeze with minimal dishes to wash.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort: Combining tender chicken, rich marinara, and melted cheeses creates a satisfying meal that hugs your taste buds with classic Italian-inspired goodness.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable for picky eaters, this recipe allows for quick ingredient swaps or additions like vegetables, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
• Minimal Cooking Skills Required: With straightforward steps and forgiving cooking method, even kitchen novices can whip up a delicious, restaurant-quality meal without stress or complicated techniques.

Chicken Pasta Ingredient Essentials

• Chicken: Lean protein that adds hearty flavor and substance to the dish, best when using boneless skinless chicken breasts.
• Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Classic Italian cheeses that provide rich, creamy texture and savory depth.

• Onion, Garlic: Essential base ingredients that build foundational flavor with their sweet and pungent notes.
• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Classic herb and spice blend that enhances overall dish complexity.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce that creates a robust, tangy cooking liquid for the pasta.
• Dried Pasta: Central ingredient that absorbs flavors and provides hearty carbohydrate base.
• Olive Oil: Healthy cooking fat that helps prevent sticking and adds subtle fruity undertones.
• Water: Helps create adequate cooking liquid for pasta and sauce integration.

• Parsley, Basil: Fresh herbs that add bright, aromatic finishing touch to the dish.

One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta Delight Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy one-pot cheesy chicken pasta brings comfort straight from Italian-American kitchens to dinner tables. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta combine in a quick, satisfying meal you can savor in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken fillets, diced into bite-sized pieces

Pasta and Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) dried short-cut pasta, e.g., rigatoni
• 24 ounces (680 grams) jar of marinara sauce, e.g., Newman’s Own
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 medium yellow onion, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Additional dried Italian seasoning, optional
• Water to fill the empty marinara sauce jar

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley and/or basil, minced

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Instructions

1. Coat diced chicken with a blend of salt, black pepper, Italian herbs, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil (30 milliliters / ) in a large pot over medium-high temperature.
2. Sear chicken pieces for approximately 4-5 minutes until they are nearly fully cooked, developing a light golden exterior. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
3. In the same pot, sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until they become soft and release their aromatic essence.
4. Pour marinara sauce into the pot, then refill the empty sauce jar with water and add to create a simmering liquid base. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
5. Reintroduce the seared chicken to the pot and add uncooked pasta. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
6. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and allow the pasta to cook for 10-12 minutes. Periodically stir to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
7. Once pasta reaches al dente consistency, integrate grated Parmesan cheese and 60 grams of shredded mozzarella, stirring until completely melted.
8. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese across the top of the dish and let it melt for an additional 2-3 minutes.
9. Optional: Enhance flavor by sprinkling extra Italian herbs and garnishing with fresh chopped parsley or basil before serving.

Notes

• Customize the seasoning by adjusting spice levels with more garlic powder or Italian herbs for a personalized flavor profile.
• Ensure chicken is mostly cooked before removing from pot to maintain juicy, tender meat texture throughout the dish.
• Use marinara sauce as a quick base that eliminates the need for multiple sauce ingredients while providing rich, bold flavor.
• Select short pasta shapes like penne or rotini that capture cheese and sauce easily and cook evenly in the one-pot method.
• Create a creamy consistency by stirring cheeses thoroughly and allowing them to melt completely before final garnishing.
• Transform leftovers into a cold pasta salad by chilling and adding fresh herbs the next day for a delicious meal remix.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 530 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg