Description
Classic one-pot chicken parmesan mac & cheese combines Italian-American comfort food in a single skillet. Rich cheese sauce and crispy chicken create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 ½ cups elbow macaroni
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Chicken Preparation: Generously season chicken with bold spices, creating a robust flavor profile. Sear in a large skillet until golden brown and fully cooked, then set aside on a separate plate.
- Pasta Base Creation: Leverage the same skillet to develop a creamy pasta foundation. Combine broth, milk, and uncooked pasta, simmering gently while stirring intermittently until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture and liquid reduces.
- Flavor Integration: Swirl marinara sauce into the pasta, creating a vibrant crimson backdrop. Reintroduce seared chicken pieces, then gently fold in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until they melt into a silky, indulgent mixture.
- Crispy Topping Construction: Blend panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, grated Parmesan, and aromatic Italian herbs. Distribute the crisp mixture evenly across the mac and cheese surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Broiler Transformation: Transfer skillet to preheated broiler, watching intently as the surface transforms into a golden, crackling landscape. Aim for a rich bronze finish without charring, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Final Presentation: Let the dish rest momentarily, allowing flavors to harmonize. Optionally garnish with fresh basil or parsley, creating a visually stunning and appetizing culinary masterpiece ready to be devoured.
Notes
- Spice Selection Strategy: Choose bold, complementary spices like garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning to enhance chicken’s flavor profile without overwhelming the dish.
- Control Pasta Moisture: Monitor liquid absorption carefully during simmering, adding extra broth if pasta appears too dry to ensure perfectly creamy, al dente texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from heat before adding cheese, stirring gently to prevent separation and achieve smooth, luxurious consistency without graininess.
- Broiling Precision: Position oven rack approximately 4-6 inches from heating element, watching topping closely to achieve golden-brown crunch without burning breadcrumb mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg