Chicken Parmesan Pasta Dinner (Print Format)

Hearty pasta with seared chicken, marinara, gooey mozzarella, and fresh basil. Perfect for a family meal.

# Ingredients:

01 - 3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon pepper
04 - ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
05 - 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
06 - 1 large sweet onion, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon minced garlic
08 - 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce
09 - 16 ounces rigatoni or penne pasta, cooked
10 - ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
11 - 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven. Add the chicken and sear for 2 minutes on either side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
03 - Add the remaining olive oil to the pan and then add the onion. Saute until translucent. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant. Stir in the marinara sauce.
04 - Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over it. Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - Stir the pasta into the saucy chicken mixture followed by the parmesan and ¼ cup mozzarella. Cook on low, stirring occasionally, until the cheese has melted into the sauce.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the pasta, cover, and let sit for a few minutes off heat until the cheese is melted and gooey.
07 - Serve warm garnished with fresh basil.

# Tips:

01 - You can use homemade marinara sauce for an extra fresh flavor.
02 - This dish can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 3 months.
03 - An 8-quart Dutch oven is recommended, but a 6-8 quart size will work.