Description
A comforting and cheesy one-pot dish combining the classic flavors of chicken parmesan and creamy mac & cheese. Quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe cooks tender chicken, flavorful marinara, and cheesy macaroni all in one pot for minimal cleanup and maximum deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Sauce and Dairy
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup milk (whole milk preferred)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Seasonings & Oils
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, then cook them until golden on both sides and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from pot and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add minced garlic and stir for a minute until fragrant. This helps build the flavor base before adding liquids and pasta.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the marinara sauce, milk, and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Gradually add the elbow macaroni, making sure it’s submerged. Bring everything to a simmer so the pasta starts cooking in the flavorful liquid.
- Cook Pasta and Combine: Let the mixture simmer uncovered for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta will absorb the liquids and soften during this time.
- Incorporate Cheeses and Chicken: Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the pot. Add mozzarella and parmesan cheese, stirring gently until melted and fully combined into the sauce, creating that luscious cheesy texture.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste your mac & cheese and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional Italian seasoning if needed. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Pre-Cook Chicken Perfectly: Don’t overcook the chicken initially to keep it juicy inside the mac & cheese.
- Stir Frequently: Prevent pasta from sticking by stirring gently but often during cooking.
- Use Whole Milk: For a creamier sauce, whole milk works best but you can substitute with a lighter milk if preferred.
- Cheese Quality Matters: Freshly grated parmesan melts better and tastes more robust than pre-grated.
- Don’t Rush Cheese Melting: Turn the heat low when adding cheese to avoid clumping and ensure smooth richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg