This Quick and Easy Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe is a satisfying 30- to 40-minute dinner made with tender chicken, pasta, diced tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan. It serves four and comes together in one skillet plus a pot for the pasta, making it a practical choice for a busy weeknight.
Every forkful delivers savory browned chicken, sweet peppers, aromatic garlic, and a bright tomato sauce that clings to al dente pasta. Fresh parsley or basil and finely grated Parmesan finish the dish with a fragrant, cheesy bite without making the sauce heavy.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
This Italian chicken pasta has the comfort of a hearty skillet meal while keeping the ingredient list straightforward. The tomato sauce is made from diced tomatoes and chicken broth, so it tastes fresh and savory rather than rich or overly heavy.
It is also flexible enough for different pantry and refrigerator needs. Penne, rotini, and spaghetti all work well, while chicken breasts or tenders provide a lean, quick-cooking protein.
The cooking process is organized for speed: boil the pasta while preparing the chicken and vegetables, then bring everything together in the skillet. If you enjoy pasta dinners with plenty of vegetables, our farmers market pasta is another colorful recipe to keep on your menu.
- Ready quickly: Prep takes 10 to 15 minutes, and cooking takes 20 to 25 minutes.
- Serves four: It is sized for a family dinner or planned leftovers.
- Balanced texture: Al dente pasta, tender chicken, soft vegetables, and a lightly reduced sauce meet in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Start with 12 ounces of penne, rotini, or spaghetti and 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders. Olive oil helps brown the chicken and sauté the vegetables, while onion, bell pepper, and garlic build the savory foundation of the sauce.
The sauce uses one 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes with its juices and 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth. Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes provide the seasoning, while 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil complete the dish.
Salt the pasta water generously before the pasta goes in. That seasoning is one of the easiest ways to make the finished pasta taste well seasoned from the inside out.
For another chicken dinner with a bold tomato profile, take a look at this savory chicken puttanesca recipe when you want to change up your weeknight routine.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Step 1: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Stop when it is just al dente, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water, and drain the pasta without rinsing it.
Step 2: Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces for quick, even cooking, or pound chicken breasts to an even thickness and slice them after cooking. Season the chicken with about half of the Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for approximately 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through; check that the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C), then transfer the chicken to a plate.
Step 4: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Cook the chopped onion and sliced or diced bell pepper for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, then add the minced garlic for the final 30 to 60 seconds.
Step 5: Stir the diced tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, remaining Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes into the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, allowing some liquid to cook away and the flavors to come together.
Step 6: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss steadily until the sauce coats the pasta, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon or two at a time if the sauce seems too thick.
Step 7: Remove the skillet from the heat or set it over low heat before adding the Parmesan. Stir in or sprinkle over the cheese and fresh parsley or basil, then serve the pasta immediately while the sauce is glossy and warm.
Pro Tips for the Best Pasta
The skillet needs enough room for the chicken pieces to sit in a single layer. If the pan is crowded, the chicken may steam instead of brown, so cook it in batches if necessary and return all of it to the sauce later.
Reserve the pasta water before draining, even if the sauce appears perfect at first. Its starch helps loosen the tomato sauce and encourages it to cling to the noodles without making the dish watery.
Add Parmesan off the heat or over low heat rather than boiling it in the sauce. This helps the finely grated cheese melt smoothly and reduces the chance of a grainy texture.
Fresh parsley brings a clean herbal finish, while basil gives the dish a sweeter Italian aroma. Either one works beautifully, so choose based on what you have available.
For a different chicken dinner with a sweet and spicy finish, serve this pasta on another night alongside ideas from our spicy honey chicken recipe.
Easy Variations
Boneless chicken thighs can replace chicken breasts or tenders when you prefer a more tender result. Keep the doneness check the same and make sure the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).
For the quickest sauce shortcut, substitute a 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce for the diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Simmer it with the cooked vegetables and remaining seasonings before returning the chicken and pasta to the pan.
You can also add sliced mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or sun-dried tomatoes. Add firm vegetables with the bell pepper, stir spinach in near the end, and use sun-dried tomatoes sparingly so their concentrated flavor does not overpower the sauce.
To make a creamy Italian version, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup Parmesan after the tomato sauce has simmered. The creamy option changes the character of the dish, but the same chicken, pasta, and vegetable method still applies.
After dinner, a simple baked treat such as this bakery-style blueberry muffin recipe can turn leftovers into a relaxed next-day breakfast.
Storage, Reheating, and Serving
Refrigerate leftover pasta in a covered container once it has cooled, and enjoy it within a few days. The pasta will absorb some sauce as it sits, so keep a splash of water or broth nearby when reheating.
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until hot. Add a tablespoon or two of water if needed, and finish with a little fresh Parmesan or chopped herbs.
Serve this chicken pasta with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or warm bread for catching the tomato sauce. For a cozy soup course on a different evening, try this easy tortellini soup.
Quick and Easy Italian Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente according to the package directions, reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water, and drain.
- Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces, or pound chicken breasts to an even thickness and slice them after cooking. Season with about half of the Italian seasoning, the kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for approximately 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, then transfer it to a plate.
- Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Cook the onion and bell pepper for 3 to 4 minutes until beginning to soften, then add the garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, remaining Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes so the sauce slightly reduces.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss until coated, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon or two at a time if the sauce is too thick.
- Remove the skillet from the heat or reduce it to low. Stir in or sprinkle with Parmesan and fresh herbs, then serve immediately.
Notes
Final Thoughts
Quick and Easy Italian Chicken Pasta is the kind of dinner that earns a regular place in the weekly rotation. It combines familiar ingredients, a bright tomato sauce, tender browned chicken, and Parmesan in a meal that feels generous without requiring complicated preparation.
Keep the pasta just al dente, give the chicken room to brown, and save that small amount of starchy pasta water for the final toss. Those simple details make the sauce cling beautifully and help every serving taste freshly cooked.
Finish each bowl with fresh parsley or basil and an extra dusting of Parmesan. Whether you follow the classic version or add mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or a creamy finish, this Italian-inspired skillet dinner is ready to bring warmth and flavor to the table in about 30 to 40 minutes.