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15 Minute Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.1 from 4 reviews

This 15-minute Chicken Pasta recipe is a quick and delicious meal featuring tender chicken strips sautéed with aromatic onions, bell peppers, and garlic, all tossed with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines the comfort of pasta with flavorful savory chicken, topped optionally with Parmesan for an extra cheesy finish.

Ingredients

Protein and Vegetables

  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into strips
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1/2 bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced

Pantry & Dairy

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella or Italian blend cheese
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 3 cups cooked pasta (from 1.5 cups dry pasta)

Instructions

  1. Boil 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 of salt. Cover and cook for 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare Ingredients: While the pasta is cooking, cut the chicken breasts into strips, chop the onion and bell pepper, and mince the garlic to get everything ready for sautéing.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: 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 or until lightly golden to release its aroma.
  4. Cook Chicken: Add the chicken strips along with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the pan. Sauté the chicken until browned on the outside and almost cooked through, ensuring the pieces are no longer pink inside.
  5. Simmer with Marinara: Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce over the chicken mixture. Cover the pan and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes on medium heat, which lets the flavors meld and the chicken finish cooking.
  6. Combine Pasta and Cheese: After simmering, add the drained cooked pasta to the chicken and sauce mixture. Mix well to coat the pasta evenly. Sprinkle the mozzarella or Italian blend cheese over the top and turn off the heat. The residual heat will melt the cheese nicely.
  7. Optional Broil: For a bubbly cheesy topping, place the pan under the oven broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  8. Finish and Serve: Top with Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your quick, flavorful chicken pasta meal.

Notes

  • Use any pasta shape you prefer; penne or rotini work well.
  • Adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic powder) to taste.
  • If you prefer less sauce, reduce marinara slightly.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with sautéed mushrooms or tofu.
  • Broiling is optional but adds a lovely cheesy crust.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/15-minute-chicken-pasta-recipe/