Description
A comforting and easy one-pot meal, Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese combines tender diced chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and pasta simmered in a savory marinara and broth base. Finished with a crispy golden panko breadcrumb topping, this dish is a delicious twist on classic mac and cheese with Italian flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cups elbow macaroni or short pasta
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Topping
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Prepare the Pasta: Using the same pot, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chicken broth and marinara sauce, then bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in pasta, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Simmer the Pasta: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
- Combine and Melt the Cheese: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir to combine. Add shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses, stirring gently until melted and creamy.
- Prepare the Breadcrumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the pasta in the pot.
- Brown the Topping: If the pot is oven-safe, place it under the broiler for 2–3 minutes until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown. If not, toast the breadcrumbs separately in a skillet until golden and then sprinkle over the dish before serving.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve the dish warm for best flavor.
Notes
- Use elbow macaroni or any short pasta to ensure even cooking and sauciness.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe pot, toasting breadcrumbs in a skillet provides a nice crunchy topping.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently over low heat.
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and increase mozzarella or add vegetables like mushrooms or spinach.
- Adjust salt and spices to taste, especially if using salted broth or marinara.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
