Description
This Quick and Easy 15-Minute Chicken Pasta Recipe is perfect for a fast, flavorful dinner. Tender chicken strips are sautéed with aromatic onions, bell peppers, and garlic, then simmered in marinara sauce and combined with perfectly cooked pasta. Finished with gooey melted mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan, this dish is simple yet satisfying and ideal for weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Pasta and Cheese
- 3 cups cooked pasta (1.5 cups dry pasta)
- 1/2 cup mozzarella or Italian blend cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of salted water to a boil. Add 1.5 cups of uncooked pasta and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook for 10 minutes until the pasta is tender.
- Sauté Vegetables and Chicken: While the pasta cooks, prepare the chicken, onion, and bell pepper by cutting them into strips and pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy-duty pan or pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté for 1-2 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until lightly golden. Add the chicken strips along with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and cook until the chicken is browned and nearly cooked through.
- Simmer with Marinara Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce over the chicken mixture and cover the pan. Allow to simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors and finish cooking the chicken.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Drain the pasta water and add the cooked pasta directly into the pan with the chicken and sauce. Mix everything well to coat the pasta evenly. Sprinkle the mozzarella or Italian blend cheese on top and turn off the heat, letting the residual warmth melt the cheese. For a bubbly cheese topping, you may choose to broil it under the oven broiler for a few minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by topping the dish with Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your quick and delicious chicken pasta meal!
Notes
- Use any pasta variety you prefer; penne or rotini work well to hold the sauce.
- Broiling the cheese is optional but adds a nice bubbly, golden finish.
- Adjust seasonings to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in a microwave or stovetop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
