No-Fail, Fast and Easy Chicken Parmesan With Penne Pasta

Are you looking for quick and easy dinner recipes? This easy chicken parmesan with penne pasta recipe is a dish the whole family will love! This easy pasta recipe complete with tender chicken and melty cheese is quick and easy enough to serve at the end of a busy day.

Wooden spoon lifting cheesy chicken from a pan with text overlay "Super Easy Chicken Parmesan with Penne Pasta"


The first time I made this easy Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe was in the community kitchen of my college dorm. Back before Pinterest was a thing and you could find any recipe at a moment’s notice, I copied this easy dinner recipe out of a magazine in my eye doctor’s waiting room. Many many pans of this chicken parmigiana later, it’s a family favorite.

It’s also a great one dish meal to take to a new mom or family in need of a little TLC. Add a loaf of crusty garlic bread and a bagged salad and you’ve got a complete meal ready to deliver.
It’s the rare person who will turn away a piping hot plate of chicken parmesan, a dish usually reserved for special occasions or a night out at an Italian restaurant.

Regardless of your level of cooking expertise, this is a meal that you can conquer quickly and will be met with rave reviews! This delicious dinner is always a crowd pleaser!
Your family is going to LOVE this Easy Chicken Parm Pasta …. and you will LOVE the simple ingredients and how quickly it comes together!

What You Will Need to Make Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe

wooden spoon serving chicken parmesan with penne pasta
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half horizontally)
  • ¾ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (the kind in the green container)
  • 1 cup of your favorite pasta sauce
  • 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
  • 16 ounces penne pasta
  • Cooking spray

Notes:

  • You can substitute chicken tenders or chicken thighs for the breast meat if you prefer.
  • Any type of spaghetti sauce works in this recipe, but my “go-to” is Rao’s.
  • You can use other pasta shapes, if you’d like. Ziti noodles are a good substitute.

How to Make This Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

close up of breaded chicken parmesan covered in melted cheese

Step One

  • Preheat your oven to 450° F. Next, spray a 9×9 baking pan with cooking spray.

Step Two

  • Next, place mix the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl.
  • Press the raw chicken breasts into the breadcrumb/cheese mixture, making sure that you completely coat all sides of the chicken.

Step Three

  • After the chicken is completely coated, place the breasts in the prepared baking dish and bake for 15-17 minutes and remove from the oven. (At this point, the chicken breasts will start to look brown and crispy).
  • While the chicken is baking, bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare the penne pasta according to package directions, until it is al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step Four

  • Place pasta in a 9×13 inch baking pan. Add two cups of your jarred sauce and stir until the cooked pasta is well coated in the tomato sauce.
  • Place the cooked chicken on top of the prepared pasta.  Pour marinara sauce over the chicken and top with mozzarella cheese.
  • Place the pan back in the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature of the chicken is 165° F.
wooden spoon mixing penne pasta with tomato sauce
Mix tomato and penne pasta.
breaded chicken breasts on top of penne pasta in a white pan
Place the breaded, partially baked chicken breasts on top of the pasta.
pan of chicken breasts on penne pasta covered in tomato sauce
Top the chicken breast with your favorite pasta sauce.
unbaked pan of chicken parmesan covered with shredded cheese
Top everything with a yummy layer of cheese.

Store leftovers for up to three days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

close up of chicken parmesan covered in melted cheese

Even More Easy Recipes You Will Love!

 

pan of baked chicken parmesan with penne pasta fresh out of the oven

No Fail Fast and Easy Chicken Parmesan

Print Recipe
This easy chicken parmesan recipe is a family favorite and a busy mom’s secret weapon for serving guests an unforgettable meal!  This baked chicken parmesan recipe is a simple way to put a delicious meal on your table quickly.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut in half horizontally)
  • ¾ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese the kind in the green container
  • 1 cup of your favorite pasta sauce
  • 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
  • 16 ounces penne pasta
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

Step One

  • Preheat your oven to 450° F. Next, spray a 9x9 baking pan with cooking spray.

Step Two

  • Next, place mix the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl.
  • Press the raw chicken breasts into the breadcrumb/cheese mixture, making sure that you completely coat all sides of the chicken.

Step Three

  • After the chicken is completely coated, place the breasts in the prepared baking dish and bake for 15-17 minutes and remove from oven. (At this point, the chicken breasts will start to look brown and crispy).
  • While the chicken is baking, bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare the penne pasta according to package directions, until it is al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Step Four
  • Place pasta in a 9x13 inch baking pan. Add two cups of your jarred sauce and stir until the cooked pasta is well coated in the tomato sauce.
  • Place the cooked chicken on top of the prepared pasta.  Pour marinara sauce over the chicken and top with mozzarella cheese.
  • Place the pan back in the oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature of the chicken is 165° F.
Course: Main Dish
Servings: 4 Servings
Author: Snug and Cozy Life

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