Chicken Parmesan Pasta (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Seasoned Chicken

01 - 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
05 - 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

→ Sauce Base

06 - 1 large sweet onion, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
08 - 24 oz jar marinara sauce

→ Pasta & Cheese

09 - 16 oz rigatoni or penne pasta, cooked
10 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 3 tablespoons fresh basil, minced (for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes and season evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sear for 2 minutes on each side until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan. Add the minced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
04 - Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the marinara sauce and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Return the seared chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over it. Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
06 - Stir the cooked pasta into the saucy chicken mixture, followed by the Parmesan cheese and ¼ cup of the mozzarella. Cook on low, stirring occasionally, until cheese melts into the sauce.
07 - Sprinkle the remaining 1¼ cups mozzarella over the pasta mixture. Cover and remove from heat, letting it sit for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh minced basil for a burst of color and flavor. Enjoy this comforting one-pot meal!

# Notes:

01 - You can use homemade marinara sauce for even better flavor
02 - This recipe works best in a 6-8 quart Dutch oven - scale up or down based on your pot size
03 - Can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months - just add pasta when reheating
04 - Make sure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for food safety