One-Pot Chicken Pasta 🍗🧄🍅🍝 Creamy, Saucy, and Weeknight-Ready With Minimal Cleanup and Maximum Flavor

This recipe is a time-saving hero: seared chicken, garlic, broth, and pasta all cook together in one pot. As the pasta simmers, it releases starch into the sauce, giving you that velvety, glossy finish without needing a separate cream base or multiple pans.

One pot. No draining. All the flavor.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

For the base

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

For the pasta and sauce

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1½ cups milk (or half-and-half)
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
• 8 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, rigatoni, etc.)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino
• Optional: ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

To finish

• Chopped parsley or basil
• More Parmesan for topping

Instructions

Step 1: Sear the chicken
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high. Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Sear 3–4 minutes until golden and mostly cooked. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté aromatics
In the same pot, lower heat to medium and add garlic. Sauté 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Add liquids and pasta
Stir in broth, milk, crushed tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, then add pasta. Stir well and reduce to low-medium heat.

Step 4: Simmer and stir
Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Pasta should be al dente and sauce slightly thickened.

Step 5: Stir in chicken and cheese
Return chicken to the pot. Stir in Parmesan. Simmer uncovered 1–2 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is creamy.

Step 6: Serve hot
Garnish with herbs and more cheese. Serve straight from the pot.

Flavor Variations

• Use Alfredo sauce or pesto in place of tomato for a different profile
• Add spinach, kale, or roasted red peppers toward the end
• Stir in sun-dried tomatoes or olives for depth
• Use cooked sausage or ground turkey instead of chicken
• Add a splash of white wine after searing the chicken for acidity

Pro Tips

• Use short pasta that holds up well to simmering
• Stir regularly so nothing sticks to the bottom
• Add more milk or broth if sauce gets too thick
• Use freshly grated cheese for smooth melting

Final Thoughts

One-Pot Chicken Pasta is creamy, customizable, and ridiculously convenient. It’s the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but keeps things easy and clean — perfect for busy nights or meal-prep Sundays.

Sear it. Simmer it. Scoop it straight from the pot. 🍗🧄🍅🍝

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

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🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
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🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
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