Description
A comforting and cheesy dish that combines crispy golden chicken with rich marinara sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. This easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Pasta & Sauce:
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Dip chicken pieces into the beaten egg, then coat them evenly in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the chicken pieces for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
-
Prepare the Sauce:
- In the same pan, add olive oil and sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in marinara sauce, basil, and oregano. Stir and let simmer for 5 minutes.
-
Combine & Bake:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. Stir in the crispy chicken pieces.
- Transfer to a baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Serve & Enjoy:
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular.
- You can substitute marinara sauce with homemade tomato sauce for a fresher taste.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian